In this provocative and practical book, Dr. Peter Benson, one of the world’s leading authorities on childhood and adolescence, describes a simple yet powerful plan for awakening the spark that lives inside each and every young person. Sparks—when illuminated and nurtured—give young people joy, energy, and direction. They have the power to change a young person’s life from one of surviving to one of thriving.
Grounded in new research with thousands of teenagers and parents, Sparks offers a step-by-step approach to help teenagers—and parents—discover, celebrate, and act on their unique gifts. The plan can be used with great success by all families, no matter their economic status, parenting situation, or ethnic background. There are five basic steps:
- Recognize the power of sparks
- Know your own teenager
- Help discover and reveal your teen’s sparks
- Be the captain of your teen’s spark team
- Keep your teen’s spark lit
Five simple steps, but powerful—because young people who identify their sparks and get support in developing them from caring adults
- have higher grades in school;
- are more likely to be socially competent;
- are more likely to be physically healthy;
- are more likely to volunteer to help other people;
- are more likely to be good stewards of the earth and its resources;
- are more likely to have a sense of purpose.
Isn’t this what we all want for our teenagers?
We need to help our kids find their sparks. Your role is crucial, and this book will give you everything you need to be the spark champion your child needs.
