Spring & Summer Reading List
With Spring Break afoot and with Summer Break on the far horizon, we thought we’d share a reading list of our favorite books from the past few months that are related to neural-informed practice and learning more generally. Happy reading in your favorite outdoor chair in the sun and under an umbrella!
Note: We are including amazon affiliate links and purchases through these links support Neural Education, however, we also want to encourage supporting your local, independent bookstore. They are important partners in encouraging literacy and access. Find your local bookseller here or here.
Limitless Mind by Jo Boaler
Limitless Mind is a revolutionary book that reveals the six keys to unlocking learning potential based on the latest scientific findings. The author, Jo Boaler, a professor of education at Stanford University, challenges the notion that our brains are fixed entities that are limited by genetics. Instead, she provides evidence that our brains are entirely capable of growth, adaptability, and rewiring. Boaler explodes the myths that limit our confidence and willingness to try new things and reveals that anyone at any age can learn anything. Ultimately, learning fundamentally changes who we are, and the book shows how to unlock our boundless potential. Amazon affiliate link for limitless mind https://amzn.to/433sZb8
Dopamine Nation by Anna Lemke
Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke is a book about finding balance between pleasure and pain. In a world where we have access to high-reward stimuli such as drugs, food, and social media, we have become vulnerable to overconsumption. Dr. Lembke explores new scientific discoveries that explain why the pursuit of pleasure leads to pain and how to keep dopamine in check to find contentment and connectedness. Using the experiences of her patients, she shows how managing consumption can transform our lives, combining the science of desire with the wisdom of recovery. Amazon affiliate link for dopamine nation https://amzn.to/40S79p1
Range by David Epstein
David Epstein's book Range challenges the commonly held belief that to excel in any field, one must start early and specialize. Instead, Epstein studied successful individuals from athletes to scientists and found that generalists often excel in complex and unpredictable fields. They tend to find their path later in life, have multiple interests, and possess creativity and agility that specialists lack. Range makes a case for actively cultivating inefficiency and embracing diverse experiences, as siloed expertise becomes less valuable in the age of technology. Affiliate link for Range https://amzn.to/3KrhCSM
Spark by John Ratey
John J. Ratey, MD's book, Spark, delves into the connection between exercise and brain function. Exercise can elevate mood, reduce stress, and improve memory, cognitive abilities, and overall performance. Ratey provides research-based evidence to support the benefits of aerobic exercise against a range of conditions, such as depression, ADD, addiction, aggression, menopause, and Alzheimer's. SPARK includes engaging case studies, such as the Naperville fitness program that improved the science test scores of its 19,000 students. It is a comprehensive exploration of how exercise can change the way we think about our brain health. Affiliate link for Spark https://amzn.to/3KoJuGf
The Orchid & the Dandelion by Thomas Boyce
Tom Boyce's new book explores two types of children - the "dandelion" child who is resilient and the "orchid" child who is more sensitive and fragile. He argues that genetics and environment shape behavior, and certain genes can increase a person's susceptibility to various disorders. However, he believes that these genes are not just liabilities, as they can also produce children who excel with the right nurturing and environment. Boyce provides guidance on how to understand and support "orchid" children for their unique strengths and challenges.Affiliate link for The Orchid and the Dandelion https://amzn.to/3EaoP3N
Culturally Responsive Education and the Classroom by Adeyemi Stembridge
This book reflects years of work by Dr. Stembridge developing a pedagogical framework for culturally responsive education. His work as an action researcher coming alongside teachers to engage and apply the CRE framework has led to a book that educators can relate to and use to guide our work with all students. The six themes of Culturally Responsive Education help teachers incorporate equity into behaviors, environments, and meaningful learning opportunities. Dr. Stembridge often refers to the “brilliance of teaching” and he identifies the need for brilliant teachers to engage in reflective, intentional practices that bring education into the cultural lives of learners. He never strays from his assertion that teaching and teachers are the key to an educational system that also recognizes the brilliance and potential of each and every learner. Affiliate link for CRE https://amzn.to/3Gafqwy
Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Devon Prince, PhD
In his book Unmasking Autism, Dr. Devon Price delves into the common coping mechanism of masking among Autistic individuals. These individuals hide their traits to conform with societal norms, which can lead to alienation and pain. Dr. Price, who himself has masked, offers a range of insights, including personal profiles, history, and social science research to shed light on this topic. They encourage Autistic people to celebrate their special interests, cultivate their relationships, reframe stereotypes, and rediscover their values to help them express themselves authentically. In embracing neurodiversity, we can honor the needs, diversity, and unique strengths of Autistic people and unlock the benefits of nonconformity. Affiliate link for unmasking autism https://amzn.to/3GafUTo
Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science to Understand Solve Children’s Behavioral Challenges by Mona Delahooke
In Beyond Behaviors, Dr. Mona Delahooke explains that troubled behaviors in children are just the tip of the iceberg and indicate deeper individual differences that need to be addressed before resolving behavioral challenges. This book uses the latest neuroscientific research to deconstruct behavior challenges and discover their causes and triggers for children who experience or have experienced: aggressive, confusing or unpredictable behaviors, tantrums and meltdowns, shutdown, adverse childhood experiences, or trauma and toxic stress. It includes effective tools and strategies for children labeled with complex diagnoses, including conduct disorders, anxiety & depression, autism & developmental or learning differences. The many practical strategies, worksheets and charts included in the book help to make neuroscience accessible to families and educators so that they can create positive experiences that counteract stress and pressure in working or living with a child who has behavioral challenges. Beyond Behaviors emphasizes relational safety with children to help them reduce behavioral challenges and increase psychological resiliency. Affiliate link for beyond behaviors https://amzn.to/3U2QxbS
Street Data by Shane Safir, Jamila Dugan
In order to revolutionize education, we must shift away from fixating solely on standardized test scores and instead rebuild the system based on the brilliance, cultural wealth, and potential of our students. This includes considering "street data," which may not always be easily measurable but can be deeply humanizing and empowering. Safir and Dugan provide a practical framework in their book for educators and policymakers to transform schools and districts by adopting an asset-based approach that focuses on what's right instead of what's wrong. This involves using data to identify and address the underlying causes of inequality and reshaping adult culture. It's crucial to adopt an antiracist stance and critically examine our assumptions about knowledge and measurement in education. Affiliate link for street data https://amzn.to/3m39HSg
What Happened to You? by Dr. Bruce Perry MD, PhD & Oprah Winfrey
Do you ever question your behavior and feel like you can't control it? This can lead to blaming ourselves and feeling like we and those around us aren't meeting impossible standards. Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry suggest a different approach. They encourage us to shift from asking "What's wrong with you?" to "What happened to you?" Through personal conversations, they aim to understand people, behavior, and ourselves. This subtle but powerful shift allows us to understand our pasts and open the door to resilience and healing for our future. Winfrey shares her own experiences with trauma and adversity, showing vulnerability and understanding. Affiliate link for what happened to you: https://amzn.to/3GF7iFg
