What Were You Thinking?: Learning to Control Your Impulses (Executive Function) - Softcover

Bryan Smith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1934490962 ISBN 13: 9781934490969

Publisher: Boys Town Press, 2016

Synopsis

Help kids learn self-control and reduce disruptive behaviors.

Third-grader Braden loves to be the center of attention. His comic genius, as he sees it, causes his friends to look at him in awe.

But some poor decision-making, like ill-timed jokes in class and an impulsive reaction during gym that left a classmate teary-eyed and crumpled on the floor, forces the adults in Braden's life to teach him about impulse control. But will the lessons shared by his teachers and his mom really help Braden manage his impulses?

Part of the Executive FUNction series by author and school counselor Bryan Smith.

Entertaining book to help kids develop friendships, control emotions and improve their manners.

About this title

About the Author:

Bryan Smith comes from a family of educators. He has worked in the education field for more than 15 years. He began his career as an elementary school teacher before realizing he had a talent for helping children deal with difficult issues. He has since become a school counselor, where he flourishes teaching students life skills that will help them succeed.

Review:

Controlling your impulses is a hard topic to teach to children. Finally a book that gets the point across in a humorous manner. I can't wait to use this with the children at my school. --Marjorie Edge, Elementary School Counselor

This book was perfect! It was exactly what I was hoping based on the title. It tells the story of Braden, a third grader, who has trouble controlling his impulses. The examples in the book were things my own son has done or would do, so it was very relatable for him and for me. The book lays out 4 simple steps to practicing impulse control. And while it's not simple to control yourself at a young age, the steps are easy to remember for both the child and the parent. I know we'll be using this method in our household and returning to this book again and again, My son got very animated while we were reading this book. I know he struggles a lot with keeping his hands to himself and making good choices, and he was pretty upset about how teachers make it seem so easy, when it's not. I appreciate that the character in this book is older than my son. It gives us both the understanding that it's OK that he is still working on these skills. I felt like the book was age appropriate for him (just finishing kindergarten) vs. it seeming like a baby book. It's certainly not. I would recommend this book very highly to parents and teachers of early elementary age children. My Rating: 5 stars --Mom's Radius, Life. Love. Books. Blog

About this edition

• Publisher: Boys Town Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1934490962
• ISBN 13: 9781934490969
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 31
• Illustrator: Brian Martin