Mind in the Making

 
In her book Mind in the Making, Ellen Gallinsky outlines "seven essential life skills that every child needs."  She takes evidence-based research from uber-intelligent academic-types and organizes their findings in an easy-to-read book with practical suggestions for parents and teachers.  If you want to learn about child development without having to learn a second language, this is your book.  The life skills she discusses are:

• Focus and Self Control
• Perspective Taking
• Communicating
• Making Connections
• Critical Thinking
• Taking On Challenges
• Self-Directed, Engaged Learning

Her website is full of additional info on child development --it's a nice supplement to the book.  I recommend Mind in the Making to anyone, with or without kids.  If you're anything like me, you'll realize that you yourself could work on some of these skills!  Focus and self-control...eek!  :)