[.ca] The Myth of Laziness: America's Top Learning Expert ... (ISBN 074352781X)

From Amazon.com:
A professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina Medical School, Mel Levine received acclaim for his previous book, A Mind at a Time, which argued that children's different learning capabilities demand diverse teaching strategies. In The Myth of Laziness, Levine isolates another group of kids--so-called "lazy" children who aren't working up to their potential in school--and explores the causes of their low performance. Levine scoffs at the perception that any child is lazy, stating that "everybody yearns to be productive." These children, according to Levine, are simply experiencing "output failure" due to different neuro-developmental weaknesses. Levine produces case studies of seven children and adults who have been labeled lazy and identifies internal sources that are undermining their production. Many of their output issues revolve around difficulties with writing, as is the case with Russell, who is hindered by his low motor skills, or Clint, whose long-term memory lapses prevent him from expressing himself well. Other weaknesses, such as poor oral language ability, mental energy dysfunction, poor idea generation, and organizational problems, plague the individuals in these case studies. Levine talks briefly about external factors that contribute to low output, such as socioeconomic background, family life, and negative role models. In the profile for Scott Murray, Levine even has the humility to admit that he was unable to reach this young man. External influences—-namely, Scott's privileged upbringing-—were too pervasive in causing his output failure. The last few chapters are devoted to suggestions for what parents and teachers can do to foster productive output in their children and students and how to detect a problem that is internal rather than environmental. Tips on how to cultivate writing skills, set up an organized home office, and assist with homework are aimed at parents while teachers are encouraged to consider individuality among their students' learning styles. Finally, the appendices offer two worksheets to help students plan stories and reports. Two additional worksheets help pinpoint whether output problems are the cause of poor schoolwork. This is a valuable book that will give parents some guidance in solving their children's productivity issues and preparing their children successfully for adulthood. --Cristina Vaamonde

You'll be able to relate to this book!:
Heard the taped version of THE MYTH OF LAZINESS, written and read by Dr. Mel Levine--a professor of pediatrics at the University of North Carolina Medical School. Levine persuasively makes the point that children and adults aren't really lazy when they can be seen not working up to their potential . . . rather, he contends that "everybody yearns to be productive" . . . and what happens is that they are simply experiencing "output failure" due to different neuro-developmental weaknesses. While the aforementioned may come across as gobbledygook, it really isn't because of Levine's use of case studies . . . you'll be able to relate to the seven children and adults profiled, either because you will see yourself and/or others you know. I liked the last few chapters best because they were devoted to concrete suggestions for what can be done to help supposedly lazy folks . . . tips on how to cultivate writing skills, as well as how to set up an organized home office, are presented . . . also, teachers are urged to take into account the individuality of their students' learning skills. Furthermore, I found several worksheets in the book version (that I skimmed after listening to the tapes) that can be most helpful to help students plan their stories and reports.

Too bad you can't clone Mel Levine's genius:
This book is organized as a series of case studies building up to three chapters of recommendations. Levine's insight into children is stunning. It is why people come from all over the country to see him in North Carolina. I am sure he wishes as ardently as anybody that his genius were transferrable. While this book gives one an appreciation of his methods, it also highlights how subjective the judgments really are. Any parent who has been through the rounds of physical therapists, speech therapists, child psychologists, ritalin, Prozac, tutors, school counsellors, etc. etc. will know that not all experts have the same powers of perception, and they certainly don't all agree. I of course love the advice with which I agree. Turn off the TV! Have the kids read. Practice writing. He gives some very concrete and useful advice on how to do this... forms you can copy and suggest that your child's teachers hand out with assignments. As another reviewer suggests, examining the unique balance of skills and weaknesses in each child, and tailoring life and learning plans to meet their special needs, takes a tremendous amount of resources. Public school classroom teachers charged with 35 young minds, or a modestly paid and trained counsellor responsible for a whole school cannot possibly be expected to handle every child's issues. There are always alternatives -- many, confusing and conflicting -- for parents with the money and time to investigate them. The sad reality is that society just can't devote enough resources to give all kids the attention that would benefit them. How to apply Levine's insights and techniques to as many kids as possible within what voters are willing to spend is an interesting question.

important, but missed:
It is an important book, as it tries to refute the myth of laziness. Levine argues that the so called `laziness`, is actually the result of a neurodevelopmental problem, and that every child `yearns to be productive`. According to his analysis a broad spectrum of neuro-development dysfunctions may prevent children from reaching their potential. I found Both claims very problematic as they ignor the social construction of reality as a major determinate factor.

You can't go faster if the motor's wired wrong:
As a career coach I deal with clients who feel embarrassed about their own lack of motivation. And there's a lot of hype these days about "assessments" that are one step away from witchcraft. Here's the Real Deal. Levine argues that most people want to learn and succeed in their lives. What holds them back often is the way their brains are wired. (Okay, he's a lot more scientific.) I can personally relate to some of his examples. I've always had trouble controlling pieces of paper and my desk always looks as though I'd dumped a wastebasket upside down. Throughout my life people have sighed, "You've got to get organized!" Yet I've learned to accomplish a lot by compensating -- once I realized it was a cognitive deficit. And, as Levine points out, adults have an easier time than children. We don't have to excel in so many different areas. Levine acknowledges his own quirks. Don't give me anything you want back, he says, and if you want me to sign something, stand there till you get my signature! I can relate to those too. The lesson is that nearly everyone has strengths as well as functional deficits. If a child doesn't have the coordination for basketball or baseball, he or she can try another sport, like weight-lifting or wrestling. Levine presents knowledge in the form of case studies, which are both educational and easy to follow. He's honest: there are few Cinderella stories and happy endings. That's the part of the book that's most difficult to deal with. His center provides some of the best testing and counseling in the world, yet not everyone will be responsive. It's not enough to receive a diagnosis: you also need a supportive environment, especially if you're a child. I didn't care for Levine's chapter on "what might have happened." I'd rather have seen composite cases or cases with details disguised, with stories of "real" endings. And people need to be aware of non-psychiatric settings that allow people to make progress. I've taken well-designed, non-competitive exercise classes that helped everyone's coordination -- including some who could barely shuffle into the class when they started. However, Levine deserves credit for not succumbing to the simplicities of the self-help genre. You won't find self-diagnostic tests or "ten things you can do..." here. He's drawn the line in the sand: he's writing as a physician and scientist. Perhaps the greatest contribution of this book will be to alert teachers, managers, parents and everyone to the great variety of learning skills and the possibility for cognitive deficits. Too many children are ridiculed and even punished for "laziness" and worse, and even adults can be hassled by ignorant bosses, spouses and friends.

A "must read" for any parent of a child struggling in school:
Hello. I recently purchased several of Dr. Levine's books after my 5 year old was diagnosed with fine motor and graphomotor dysfunction. This book has enlightened me as to my son's condition and has made me better capable of helping my son. I am also prepared to speak with his teachers from the very start of school about his condition and now I will be certain not to allow the school system to fail my son for a condition over which he has no control. All I can say is "Thank you Dr. Levine. My boy's ok." I also thank Amazon for publishing reader's reviews which prompted me to purchase this wonderful book.