Sudbury native Michael Delman, head of a Needham-based national education consulting firm, Beyond BookSmart, offers parents various ways they can help empower children to succeed in today’s demanding world. In his new book, “Your Kid’s Gonna Be Okay: Building the Executive Function Skills Your Child Needs in the Age of Attention,” Delman has incorporated his three decades of educational experience helping families into an easy-to-understand guide.

"My goal is to help you understand how children learn and grow, to add tools to your parenting repertoire, and to show you the skills you need to offer support in a way that your child will appreciate rather than resent. As a result, your child will become more capable and more confident both in school and beyond.

Moreover, school matters. Whether or not we remember and use the Pythagorean theorem every day, or discuss the ins and outs of ancient civilizations with our friends, we all need the broader Executive Function skills that school demands. To succeed in school, children need to learn how to control their impulses and treat others with respect, how to stay focused, how to break down directions, how to be aware of what they know and don't know and then seek help when they're stuck, how to stay organized and manage their time, and a host of other relevant skills that this book will explore. School matters because it's a training ground for life. School matters because it is a place where Executive Function skills, whether they are taught or not, are always expected. 

By focusing on the values implicit in having a motivated child, I aim to shift the conversation away from rewards and punishments and, instead, toward finding and emphasizing the intersection of your child's talents and passions. 

Scratch beneath the surface of kids who seem lazy, oppositional, or bored, and you'll usually see young people with opinions, drive, and skills. Removing the impediments to their success and showing them how they can achieve their potential has been my life's work."