Great Minds and How to Grow Them

Great Minds and How to Grow Them – Deborah Eyre

Is high achievement in school reserved for a gifted few, or can far more children reach the highest levels if they are given the right support?

In Great Minds and How to Grow Them: High Performance Learning, education journalist Wendy Berliner and Professor Deborah Eyre, a leading expert in gifted education and founder of High Performance Learning, argue for the second view. Drawing on research in psychology, neuroscience and education, they challenge the idea that intelligence is fixed at birth and show that the skills, attitudes and habits of high achievers can be taught.

The authors explain how children develop advanced cognitive skills, such as analytical thinking, creativity, meta-thinking and problem solving, alongside values, attitudes and attributes such as resilience, curiosity, perseverance and collaboration. They discuss the role of mindset, practice and opportunity, and offer practical guidance for parents on supporting learning at home, from early childhood through the school years, without creating unhealthy pressure.

Real-life examples and accessible explanations make the research easy to understand, while practical tips help parents encourage independent thinking, a love of learning and the confidence to tackle challenging work.

Optimistic, practical and grounded in evidence, Great Minds and How to Grow Them is a valuable guide for parents, teachers and school leaders who believe every child can achieve more than expected, and who want to know how to help them do it.