Just as many institutions seem to be experiencing chaos, there are always those seeking solutions to overcome the chaos of a system. Danie Beaulieu has written a practical book for teachers and trainers of youngsters that is invaluable in ensuring that they participate fully in their learning in a fun activity which has a deeper meaning behind it. As someone who helps people to re-access their biological learning abilities, I believe this book will be highly valuable for any teacher / trainer who is seeking for ways that engage play, fun, humour, as well as a strong message that enhances the very information they are wishing the student to understand. There is an ancient Chinese saying that says one learns more by being involved with the actual information. I believe that this book will be particularly invaluable for those educators who are seeking to overcome challenges in students ability to learn effectively as well as bring to the class room a host of different methods of ensuring that all students understand the information and concepts therein. A wonderful book for educators teaching youngsters.

A book that contains a wealth of useful and practical activities that can be adopted/adapted by many teachers to provide stimulating experiences for their students.

I recommend it to teachers and therapists alike. It explains the workings of the mind and offers simple guidelines to play games with specific learning goals. The more books I read, the less impress me. This one impressed me.

The sign of a useful book is one where you turn the pages down, underline key sentences and can't wait until the next class or group to try new ideas out. The techniques in this book involve objects, movements and active learner participation that will usefully -˜wrong foot' any class and engage the students in learning. The reasons for the techniques are based on good educational and psychological theory. I have not only read this book but have already used many of the techniques recommended. What more can a practitioner ask from any resource?

Impact Techniques in the Classroom is written by a Canadian psychologist, though I suspect psychotherapist might be a more accurate description. The introduction to the book explains that teachers spend a lot of their time attempting to engage, motivate and focus children in addition to actually teaching them. A few simple techniques can do all these things effectively, freeing up the teacher to concentrate on teaching rather than class management.

The ideas presented are rather good. They are all based on the notion of giving shape and form to children's inner thoughts and feelings, through using objects as metaphors for experience. The book is in four sections, each consisting a series of activities with intriguing titles like 'Paper Clips' 'X-ray' and 'Sponge'. In 'Paper Clips' the students are invited to attach some pieces of paper together securely, using paper clips and then use the experience to symbolise 'attaching' concentration, attention, interest and enjoyment to each piece of work they do. Once the association is made, the teacher can use the paper clip to remind the students in future. We consistently fail to develop and build on children's ability to visualise and use symbol and metaphor to give shape to their inner experiences ; this book goes a long way toward redressing the balance.

If you think this sounds a little like Jungian psychology you would be right, which is why I think the worst thing about this book is the title. Rather it should be 'Impact ideas for the Disaffected Child' because the majority of English teachers will run a mile from implementing in the classroom the kinds of things Beaulieu is suggesting.. It would be better targeted at learning assistants or teachers working in the alternative education field as the ideas are powerful and certainly have more than a place in contemporary education. It should also have a prominent place on the shelf of each LEA Educational Psychology Service office.

This is a book that needs to be experienced. It takes the theory behind learning styles, cognitive behaviour and emotional literacy and engages you in a tool box bursting with creative ideas for engaging children.

The theory, for me, was a little heavy in places but having it there it allowed me to trust the integrity and the passion of the author. The author holds the positive intention of 'pay it forward', which I really felt throughout the book.

I'd think of this book as a creative library, something that could be on my desk to hand when I needed it. There is an impact technique for just about every classroom dilemma, from dealing with bullying to coping with the withdrawn child, and much, much more.

Teachers today are time pressured, they are dealing with ever more complex issues and this book bears this in mind; easy to read and access, its techniques are simple to use and instantly doable.

What I really adored about so many of the techniques is how they remain child centred yet at the same time empower the teacher to support and nourish the students emotional intelligence and learning. I imagine it will be a great resource for teachers (or indeed anyone who works or parents a child!) and takes both the relationship and learning to a new level.

Students will flourish and teacher's confidence will soar, but above all I imagine this book will have such a positive impact on the dynamics of any classroom.

Of course reading the book alone will not get any such results, what is now needed is action!