First published 2023
Ellen Braaten addresses a puzzle that frustrates many parents: children who clearly possess intelligence but show little interest in applying it. The Harvard psychologist examines why some bright kids resist academic engagement and appear indifferent to achievement. Braaten draws from her clinical experience to identify common patterns behind this seeming contradiction. She explores the psychological factors that can cause capable children to withdraw from learning, from perfectionism and anxiety to executive function challenges. The book provides parents with practical strategies for reconnecting their children with motivation and helping them find pathways to success. Braaten offers concrete tools for understanding what drives academic disengagement and how families can address it effectively.
Genres: family, psychology, education, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: educational, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: non-fiction, self-help
245 pages · Guilford Publications