Alert and Attentive: Strategies to Support Focus and Concentration

Grab a pen and paper to take some notes as Alert and Attentive: Strategies to Support Focus and Attention is a must read for all teachers. The book is applicable to not only newer teachers, but veteran teachers as well.

I have been teaching for over 20 years, and Alert and Attentive: Strategies to Support Focus and Attention really hit home. Julie does a wonderful job breaking down the vocabulary in relatable real life ways for adults, then circling back to classroom scenarios giving specific student examples.

The book is well researched and Julie's breadth and depth of knowledge in regards to attention, self regulation, executive functioning is evident.

Alert and Attentive: Strategies to Support Focus and Attention is filled with ideas to create an inclusive classroom that is not over stimulating for young children. Ways to support and increase focus, concentration, working memory are a thread of the book.

The way the Alert and Attentive book is organized takes very specific concepts in the areas of attention and focus and breaks them down step by step across all areas. Dr Tourigny then provides classroom scenarios with real life examples of exactly how to implement the strategies that you can use right away. There are material lists, suggestions for classroom organization, games and even scripts to use. I feel this book would benefit classroom teachers, therapists, parents and anyone else working with children. I have been a speech pathologist for over 25 years and have learned so many new ideas! I was able to execute suggestions and activities in my sessions as a preschool therapist immediately. This book is an amazing resource!

What if you had a toolkit of knowledge and focus strategies that actually help kindergarteners sharpen their attention skills? Look no further! Alert and Attentive is a treasure trove of research-based information that clearly explains relevant terminology and definitions in a way that feels practical and bite-sized. Complex ideas are easy to grasp and are applicable to any classroom. I found the activities especially easy to integrate and gained many new ideas to enhance my teaching practice, like activities that support flexible thinking in young children. Overall, this is an easy read that supports a playful and developmentally appropriate approach to building focus, self-regulation, and attention skills in young learners.

– Courtney Collins, PhD, Kindergarten Teacher

Book Review: Alert and Attentive

"Alert and Attentive" stands out as an exceptional resource for understanding and developing attention and self-regulation skills. This thoughtfully crafted book bridges theory and practice, offering a comprehensive yet accessible approach to building executive function capabilities.

Strengths and Key Features

What makes this book particularly valuable is its commitment to real-world application. Rather than dwelling in theoretical frameworks, the author grounds concepts in practical, relatable examples that illuminate how attention and self-regulation manifest in everyday situations for young children. These illustrations help readers recognize skills in action and understand their crucial role in daily functioning.

The organizational structure deserves special recognition. The book presents skills in a logical, sequential manner that mirrors natural developmental progression. Each chapter builds upon the previous one, creating a clear pathway demonstrating how foundational attention skills evolve into sophisticated executive functions. This scaffolded approach makes content accessible regardless of starting point while providing a roadmap for systematic skill development.

The author, Julie Tourigny, excels at defining skills with precision and clarity, avoiding jargon while maintaining scientific accuracy. This balance makes the book valuable for professionals in education, therapy, or psychology, as well as parents and caregivers seeking practical guidance.

Practical Application

The book's greatest strength lies in its actionable strategies. Rather than leaving readers with abstract concepts, "Alert and Attentive" provides concrete techniques that can be implemented immediately across classroom, therapeutic, or home environments with little to no equipment needed. The progression from basic attention skills to complex executive functioning shows readers not just what to do, but why each step matters, enabling more effective implementation and troubleshooting.

Overall Assessment

"Alert and Attentive" successfully combines evidence-based practices with user-friendly presentation, creating a resource that is both professionally credible and practically useful. The systematic approach to building executive function skills, coupled with real-world application, makes it invaluable for developing these critical life skills.

Whether you're an educator, therapist, parent/caregiver, or interested in personal development, this book provides the knowledge and tools necessary to understand and support young children’s attention and self-regulation skills effectively.

Rating: Highly Recommended