Blake generally has a good time... until someone interrupts him and tells him he needs to do something RIGHT NOW!
He doesn't understand why he has to clean his room THIS SECOND! And he'd much rather be doing ANYTHING than learning multiplication.
Blake's mom steps in and helps him see that not all tasks are hard or boring - sometimes he can find a fun way to accomplish a chore of he looks hard enough. She also teaches him an important skill that her father taught her when she was young - the steps to taking initiative. Blake learns questions to ask himself about why he doesn't want to do something, and what he needs to do to get started right away and complete the task.
Will Blake be able to take initiative at school and at home?
Time to Get Started! is another engaging title in the Executive Function series. that inspires children in grades K through 5 to be flexible, organized, and resourceful. True to the author's style, this story offers an entertaining lesson on taking initiative.
Tips for parents and educator to help children overcome procrastination are included at the end of the storybook.
The series also includes:
Bryan Smith has worked in the education field for more than 15 years, first as an elementary school teacher then as a school counselor. He excels at teaching students life skills that will take them far and help them succeed. He is also a popular children's author whose other titles include What Were You Thinking? and My Day Is Ruined! His Executive FUNction children's book series won the Counselor's Choice Award, which is awarded by Licensed Mental Health Therapists for "Recognition of Quality in the Field."
Illustrator Lisa M. Griffin holds her BFA in Illustration and is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Lisa resides in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.
"Task initiation is a hard concept for many students. I love how this book simplifies it into four easy steps. I can't wait to use it with the students at my school." - Kevin Parker, Principal
"Another wonderful book by Counselor Bryan Smith. This is a great book for either beginning or midway through the year. It is about procrastination, the reasons people don't start a project, and a plan to get started. I always like the plans Mr. Smith comes up with in his books and this is no different. His "Four Steps to Take Initiative" is helpful and will be of assistance to those who need some nudging to get started. I plan to teach this and then have the students draw a task they like to put off and then draw them starting that task and finishing it. This is good for ADD/ADHD students as well." - Deborah Grunloh
"Blake struggles with getting started on things he needs to do. Sometimes he doesn't want to do them, and sometimes he isn't sure how. He learns that taking initiative is easier when he follows the four steps his mom gives him: "1. Focus on what needs to be done. 2. Figure out what's stopping you. 3. Come up with a plan and get started. 4. Ask for help if nothing else works" Blake uses these steps to clean his room and finish his math during school. He even teaches his brother, Braden, how to take initiative when Braden doesn't know how to start a school project." - Brooke, blogger @ Firm Happy Mom