10 tools for developing talents in multiple areas, from academics to arts to athletics, in all kids. Many believe that talent is inherent—a person either has it or doesn’t. But research shows that a student’s environment is a critical determinant for developing talents. In
Talent Zones, Dr. Lee Hancock redefines talent so that parents, teachers, and coaches of kids can create environments rich in opportunities for all kids to boost their confidence and for developing talents in multiple areas, from academics to arts to athletics.
Hancock presents ten evidence-based, developmentally appropriate strategies called Talent Development Zones (TDZs). These TDZs transform talent concepts and research into practical strategies adults can use to create environments for developing talents. Strategies include:
- Provide opportunities for deep, deliberate practice
- Develop and inspire creativity
- Build “I can” kids
- Help kids manage pressure
For more than 20 years, the author has worked with athletes from youth to professional and with classroom teachers, students, and parents of awesome kids. He’s translated research and experience into approachable strategies for equitably developing talents in kids now and as they grow up.10 tools for developing talents in multiple areas, from academics to arts to athletics, in all kids.
Dr. Lee Hancock is a professor, performance psychology coach, and program creator who works with students, athletes, coaches, educators, parents, organizations, and other high-level performers.
Dr. Hancock earned his Master’s and Ph.D. from Arizona State University and is a tenured professor in kinesiology at California State University Dominguez Hills. He has had a private practice for more than 20 years, where he has worked with athletes from youth to professional and with classroom teachers, students, and parents of awesome kids.
Dr. Hancock is also an internationally recognized speaker and author. Most importantly, he is a dad of three high-energy, competitive, caring boys. Each time he engages with a person or a group, his goal is always the same: to help them be more prepared to perform their best—when it counts!
He lives in Los Angeles, California.
“A call to the culture to rethink our methods around developing youth, asking administrators, educators, parents, and coaches to reflect on misguided adult exclusionary tactics around nurturing talent and, in the process, awaken to new, more effective and compassionate ways of developing kids. Lee has clearly ‘honed his talent’ for summarizing complex information and presenting it in a down-to-earth, relatable way, making this book pragmatic, interesting, and insightful.”
“A call to the culture to rethink our methods around developing youth, asking administrators, educators, parents, and coaches to reflect on misguided adult exclusionary tactics around nurturing talent and, in the process, awaken to new, more effective and compassionate ways of developing kids. Lee has clearly ‘honed his talent’ for summarizing complex information and presenting it in a down-to-earth, relatable way, making this book pragmatic, interesting, and insightful.”
“Lee Hancock starts with a meditation that flips the script: let’s line up ten kids and decide who among them is talented. Feel confident? What if the kid tapped as ‘without talent’ is your child? What then? What if we rewrote the playbook of selection and opportunity and teaching on behalf of the whole group of ten? This is a profound and important meditation on the thing we call ‘talent,’ which we assume we understand are able to see.”
“Lee Hancock starts with a meditation that flips the script: let’s line up ten kids and decide who among them is talented. Feel confident? What if the kid tapped as ‘without talent’ is your child? What then? What if we rewrote the playbook of selection and opportunity and teaching on behalf of the whole group of ten? This is a profound and important meditation on the thing we call ‘talent,’ which we assume we understand are able to see.”
“Talent Zones is a book that could not come at a better time. In our world of competitive overparenting, it is so helpful to have a resource and guide to really get to the root of the definition of talent—where it lies, and how it can be cultivated, nurtured, and built in healthy ways. Hancock encourages readers to focus on the journey and not the destination, to embrace and view failure as an opportunity, and to help kids develop grit. Hancock has deeply researched for readers on a topic we all want to know more about: talent. What it is? How is it identified and sometimes mislabeled? What is the history of its meaning? This is a fascinating read for parents, coaches, educators, or anyone who works with kids.”
“Talent Zones is a book that could not come at a better time. In our world of competitive overparenting, it is so helpful to have a resource and guide to really get to the root of the definition of talent—where it lies, and how it can be cultivated, nurtured, and built in healthy ways. Hancock encourages readers to focus on the journey and not the destination, to embrace and view failure as an opportunity, and to help kids develop grit. Hancock has deeply researched for readers on a topic we all want to know more about: talent. What it is? How is it identified and sometimes mislabeled? What is the history of its meaning? This is a fascinating read for parents, coaches, educators, or anyone who works with kids.”
“A thoroughly user-friendly combination of DIY instructional guide and how-to manual that will help educators and parents employ inclusive and effective education methods for getting the best out of a curriculum.”
“A thoroughly user-friendly combination of DIY instructional guide and how-to manual that will help educators and parents employ inclusive and effective education methods for getting the best out of a curriculum.”
“This book can be used to build an awareness that all students have the possibility of being talented. We need to believe all children are talented in their own way and strive to encourage them to seek their unique gift and develop it on their own timeline.”“This book can be used to build an awareness that all students have the possibility of being talented. We need to believe all children are talented in their own way and strive to encourage them to seek their unique gift and develop it on their own timeline.”
"Talent Zones provides a new perspective on developing talent and a growing a healthy frame of mind in children that leads to confidence and success. It is paramount that teachers, coaches, parents, and anyone else that works closely with children read this book."
"Talent Zones provides a new perspective on developing talent and a growing a healthy frame of mind in children that leads to confidence and success. It is paramount that teachers, coaches, parents, and anyone else that works closely with children read this book."
