AboutCarol Bainbridge Expertise I can answer most questions on parenting gifted children, from infants on. Questions can be about parenting, advocacy, and support and I can provide suggestions for toys and books gifted children love. I can even help you determine whether your child is gifted or bright, and I can point you to more information you might need. I can answer some questions about programs for gifted children, but can`t help much with information on colleges. Visitors wanting to know if their children are gifted might want to read the article "Is My Child Gifted?" before asking a question.
Experience I am the parent of a gifted child and have been working with other parents of gifted children for 13 years, helping them find support and providing them with information. I founded a local gifted organization and helped organize a parent day for a national gifted conference. I have been an active member of my state's gifted association since 1999 and created and maintain their Web site. In addition, I have created a website for parents of gifted children who are looking for toys and books for their children: www.giftsforlearning.com.
I am also the Guide About.com Gifted Children Site.
Organizations National Association for Gifted Children. Board member of state gifted association.
Expert: Carol Bainbridge Date: 3/6/2008 Subject: Gifted with Anxiety?
Question I have a ten year old son who has always been exceptionally bright. He was
recently admitted into the Gifted Pool at his school, where he is appropriately
challenged outside of the typical classroom setting. This is not the problem,
however, the problem is with his anxiety level ( for lack of a better direction).
He has always been an avid reader and has never NOT had a book that he was
in the middle of. Recently, he started complaining that he is not enjoying
reading anymore because he says he is analyzing every word in every
sentence. At first, I blew it off and told him that he needed to just take a
break from reading and rest the eyes. Basically, I didn't understand what the
complaint was. Since the first mention of this issue, he has become
increasingly aggitated with reading. I do not know why or what to do. He
actually cried to me the other night because he said that he loves reading and
that he doesnt understand why he suddenly hates it. Please help...what is he
going through? How can I address it with him?
Thanks,
Brooke
Answer Hi Brooke,
I'm not sure I understand what's going on with your son. I understand that he is upset that he suddenly hates reading, but what I don't understand his what he means when he says he is analyzing every word. Can you give me any more information?
This may not be a bad thing; it may be an indication of a very high level of awareness of language. That kind of awareness is never covered in school and kids with that kind of awareness don't know what to do with it.
However, your son may mean something else by his comment. Once I know exactly what he means, I could give you some more specific ideas.
