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Smart Strengths A Parent-Teacher-Coach Guide to Building Character, Resilience, and Relationships in Youth

Yeager Ed D MAPP, John M.Fisher M Ed MAPP etc.

A research-based guide for parents, teachers, and coaches on how to use a strengths-focused approach to build character, resilience, and high-quality relationships in young people, enabling them to flourish.

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What it’s about

In a world that constantly pushes youth to fix their weaknesses and 'measure up,' SMART Strengths offers a revolutionary and practical alternative rooted in the science of positive psychology. Written by three educators from the pioneering Master of Applied Positive Psychology program, this book provides a compelling roadmap for parents, teachers, and coaches to shift their focus from deficits to assets. It introduces the SMART model (Spot, Manage, Advocate, Relate, Train) as a step-by-step guide to first discover your own strengths and then effectively cultivate them in young people. Through powerful stories, actionable strategies, and research-backed principles, you'll learn how to foster genuine resilience, promote deeper engagement, and build the high-quality connections that are the bedrock of achievement and well-being, transforming your role from a mere instructor to a life-changing mentor.

The through-line

Who it’s for
A dedicated parent, teacher, or coach who wants to help young people become successful, resilient, and happy adults.
The problem
The conventional focus on fixing weaknesses and 'measuring up' is ineffective and often leads to disengagement, anxiety, and frustration for both adults and youth. Feeling frustrated, anxious, and sometimes inadequate, wondering if their methods are truly helping or inadvertently causing more stress and pressure.
The plan
  1. Identify your own strengths and learn how they shape your interactions.
  2. Master the five-step SMART model: Spot, Manage, Advocate, Relate, and Train strengths.
  3. Learn and teach the core skills of resilience, including flexible thinking and growth mindsets.
  4. Build high-quality connections using appreciative questions and positive communication techniques.
The payoff
Becoming a more energized, confident, and effective mentor. · Building deep, trusting relationships with the young people in your life. · Watching youth become more engaged, resilient, and successful in academics, sports, and their personal lives.

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