Evening star., 1941-05-26

Child His
Chance
Recognize Ability
And Encourage
This Talent
By Lefffce Lee Street,


1t is sometimes hard for us to
keep a fair, unbiased mind where
our children are concerned, and
not to exaggerate their talents and
abilities. But on the other hand,
many a gifted child is neglected and
not given the chance he deserves
by parents who do not recognize,
or underestimate, his talent.
Children may be greatly helped by
parents and teachers who sincerely
try to sum up a child's assets and
find out where and how he does his
best.
If you think that your child Is
unusually gifted you may check
your belief by comparing his char
acteristics with those that are
tabulated by child psychologists as
being typical of most outstanding
bright children. These character
istics are: Lively curiosity about
everything. keen powers of observa-
ton, questions are well thought out
and not silly or irrelevant, good
memory, a mature understanding
of responsibility and a quickness of
perception. The wider knowledge
that such abilities give the unusu-
ally bright child also provides him
with a larger vocabulary than the
average child's.
Until the gifted child reaches the
age where he voluntarily selects
the activity that fascinates bim the
most, whether it be artistic or me-
chanical he is likely to be devoted
to his school work which he will do
well. He will not master one sub
ject readily and skip over the others.
but he will be more apt to show
interest in them all and to be
tenacious in his efforts to excel in
those that are the least easy for
him.
These attributes describe the class
of talented children as a whole. But,
Of course. individuals vary.
Most gifted children. due largely
to their quick thinking, are chosen
as leaders by their playmates un-
less they have unpleasant person.
alities. They are almost always
popular because their lively imag-
ination makes them fun to be with
During pre-school years the out
standing bright baby will be no.
ticed for his quickness in learning
and his general precociousness.
Have a pleasant talk with your
child's teacher, ask her questions,
take her advice and work with her.
Her daily contact with your child
and her skilled, unprejudiced eye
and mind can tabulate his interests,
preferences, ability along specific
lines, accomplishments and stability
of character.
The talented child should by all
means be in a class with children
of equal ability as far as Is pos
sible, even If they are older than he.
With an alert teacher to guide him,
his lively, thirsty mind will be given
the material 1t needs and not be
allowed to be drugged by the bore
dom of competition or insult
flcient or inferior work.
Supply your child with many
books covering variety of sub
jects. Let him see museums and
places of interest and explain the
backgrounds of historic spots to
him; take him on trips.
Guard against habits that sap
mental strength such as idleness,
day-dreaming or laziness in studies
because he knows that he can get
passing marks without cracking q
book"
Praise and encouragement are
needed stimuli to the talented child,
who Is almost always super-sensi-
tive as well as bright. But praise
should always be honest and with it
should 60 the constant reminder
that it is up to him to perfect his
| talent.
Have you questions to ask con-
cerning the care Of your baby?
We suggest that you send for =
copy of Infant Care" Children's
Bureau Publication, No. 8. United
States Department Of Labor, to
aid you in raising \ healthy,
happy youngster. Send 10 cents
with your order to The Evening
Star Information Bureau today.