In Tenacity in Children: Nurturing the Seven Instincts for Lifetime Success, Drs. Goldstein and Brooks offer compelling evidence for a contrasting model that states that children are instinctively empathetic and motivated and the goal of caregivers is to nurture, foster, and develop these attributes in the children they serve. The collaboration of these two esteemed psychologists has been impacting on our field for decades and this new book continues that tradition.
Richard D. Lavoie, M.A., M. Ed.,
Author, It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping
Children with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success
Drs. Goldstein and Brooks are embodiments of tenacity and its seven instincts. We see this in their clinical stories, and how they have worked over decades to use Intuitive Optimism, Intrinsic Motivation, Compassionate Empathy, Genuine Altruism, Virtuous Responsibility, and the other instincts to turn children and adolescents’ islands of competence into lives of meaningful connection. The seven instincts that contribute to Tenacity can be likened to the dimensions of Multiple Intelligences and I anticipate that Tenacity will prove to be as revolutionary a concept in education and psychotherapy as MI has been. You could not ask for a more complete guide to an uplifting parenting, clinical, and educational approach that deeply respects the strength and dignity of children.
Maurice J. Elias, Ph.D.
Director, the Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab, Rutgers University
Co-author Nurturing Students’ Character: Everyday Teaching Activities for Social-Emotional Learning
There’s a “trick” to the book Tenacity for Children by Drs. Goldstein and Brooks. You might pick it up to read and absorb because you want to teach your children the seven instincts. But if you’re honest, you’ll also start trying to practice these for yourself as well. It’s a fast read the first time through. For your second pass, bring a notebook.
Chris Brogan
Business Advisor
Co-author, Trust Agents
I took great joy learning from Goldstein and Brooks’ newest book. Their evidence-based wealth of information resonated soundly with me—not only to apply to the many children I work with, but also my mature adult clients. Whether a child is 10 years old or in their 60s or 70s, they are never too old to be nurtured in their development of tenacity. And we, as parents, teachers, or counselors will be grateful, as this book shines a light on so many different ways, we the nurturers can nurture.
Michelle Garcia Winner, MA-CCC
Founder, Social Thinking Methodology
Author, Thinking About You Thinking About Me
Tenacity in Children has allowed me to look at many of my experiences with children and understand the importance of approaching every challenge with a positive view of what we do well and not just what it is missing. Tenacity in Children is so easy to read and understand how to nurture the seven instincts to support each child's growth and of every person for that matter. Tenacity in Children is the perfect balance between concepts, knowledge, scientific discourse, practical ideas, and heartwarming stories that truly illustrate the principles shared in the book.
Encarni Gallardo, MBA, CPM
Executive Director, Children's Service Society of Utah
In Tenacity in Children, Sam Goldstein and Robert Brooks make critical ideas accessible in a conversational, clinically rich, warm, and encouraging way. Understanding Intuitive Optimism, Islands of Competence, and Intrinsic Motivation helps guide us to be self-compassionate, nurture joy and persistence, and help children to develop to their full potential. They are not giving a formula or recipe but give innovative suggestions, supportive reflection, and encouragement to dialogue, reinforce a sense of personal control, and teach problem-solving strategies.
Nancy Rappaport, M.D.
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Co-author, The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students Trust Agents
Heartful and overflowing with wisdom, this practical and caring book reveals how parents can nurture their children’s innate well-being and potential. Two of the kindest and most respected people in the field once again provide us with a fresh perspective on raising happy, resilient, and also tenacious kids.
Mark Bertin, M.D.
Author, How Children Thrive
Written in an easy-to-read, narrative style, Drs. Goldstein and Brooks impart their innovative concept of Tenacity in Children along with its seven essential instincts by using heart-warming stories, personal and professional insights, research, and wisdom. At a time when life challenges are ever present, this book will inspire hope, provide guidance, and emphasize the need for compassion in our quest to raise resilient children and nurture our human spirit.
Joyce C. Mills, Ph.D.
Founder, StoryPlay® Global
Co-author, Therapeutic Metaphors for Children and the Child Within
The authors are leaders in this work and have crafted a much needed guide based on over 30 years of research, practice, and reflection as to what truly drives and fosters tenacity in children and how families, educators, and medical professionals can support its development.
Katherine Dockweiller Ed. D.
Co-founder Healthy Minds, Healthy Schools Las Vegas, Nevada.
For decades, Drs. Goldstein and Brooks have made significant contributions to the field of child development. This book is no exception. However, its implications extend far beyond the clinical and educational environment, making it a valuable resource for personal and professional development. The questions posed offer a roadmap for personal reflection and for fostering tenacity in others and ourselves. In their decision to first discover the strengths of children, they provide a powerful shift in perspective. Rather than focusing on deficits, they seek to identify each child's "island of competence." This profound act restores the critical component of personal control—something we all need for personal transformation. This book demonstrates the power of strengths to nurture the attributes of resilience and tenacity. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, a co-worker, or a leader, this critical work matters now more than ever.
Rob Hatch
Executive Coach
Author, ATTENTION!
This book combines scientific studies, philosophical thought, and practical experience with innovative concepts and practice. As such, this book is important and significant reading material for professionals, parents and the public at large.
Iris Manor, M.D.
Associate professor, Sackler School of Medicine,
Tel Aviv University, Israel
Drs. Goldstein and Brooks connect the science behind principles that we all have experienced in an engaging way that gives us a roadmap for empowering our children to be the best they can be.
Alan Fine
Founder, President of InsideOut Development
Beyond the theoretical underpinnings more useful for researchers, the book is rich in practical details useful for parents and educators. However, this book might be a difficult read for some parents. A summary of the main points and ideas at the end of each chapter would have been very helpful to parents. This book will be of great value to both educators and parents in their effort to engage children to the idea of being mentally tough and tenacious in pursuit of success towards their goals.
Mark Resnick Ph.D.