I have noticed that in year 1, a lot of children begin to get a fixed mindset when it comes to their ability and it would be very beneficial to remind them that smartness isn’t about how well they do on a maths test, it is much more about how they act, how they respond to each other and how they think. Everything that a child does can be a form of smartness when it is approached in the right way and this is a really important lesson to remind children of all age groups. It would be good to introduce it young so that the idea is intrinsic to them.

Being smart is more than just one thing; it’s not just being good at taking tests or doing math or getting good grades in school. No, a person can be smart in lots of ways! They can be smart at making crafts or drawing pictures, or dancing, or being brave. They can be smart at caring for others, especially when that person is hurt or shy. They can be smart at imagination, play, music, tea parties, or even blowing bubbles. Even simply sitting still and being quiet; this is something smart, too. Rest assured, not everyone has to be smart in the same way – and sharing all the different ways we are smart makes the world better every day. Smart at drawing very pointy stars." Wow, again, a kid with learning disabilities like dysgraphia is gonna find this one a gut punch yet again.While All the Ways to Be Smart would be an amazing addition for preschool and elementary classrooms, especially in this school climate where children worry at younger and younger ages about their performances in reading, writing, and math, the way Bell wrote this book makes it perfect to read one on one with a child you love at home as well.

Simple, flowing words coupled with fluorescent illustrations (created from ink, charcoal, and pencil, then digitally assembled) give young readers a book brimming with examples of how they are smart all day, every day … Realistic illustrations show children of varying racial presentations joining sentient animals and benign, hairy monsters to confidently explore their world, real and imagined. Mancini E, et al. (2017). Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review. DOI: Berns GS, et al. (2013). Short- and long-term effects of a novel on connectivity in the brain. DOI:Intrapersonal – ‘I use self-reflection and analysis to set personal goals and identify my strengths and weaknesses.’ Basso JC, et al. (2019). Brief, daily meditation enhances attention, memory, mood, and emotional regulation in non-experienced meditators. DOI: This book teaches children that intelligence is so much more than being book-smart. Intelligence can also mean being empathetic, artistic, athletic, and inquisitive. It places value in every kind of talent, from ‘building boats from boxes’ to ‘kindness when there’s crying’. All the Ways to Be Smart is the perfect feel-good bedtime story that I can’t wait to gift this Christmas.