Parenting Quote for the Week

"All kids are gifted; some just open their packages earlier than others." Words of wisdom from Michael Carr.

This is such an important message for parents to remember. When my daughter was in preschool in a young fives program, one of her classmates began reading. I got very worried that perhaps I was doing something wrong, because my daughter was not yet reading - I was worried that I might be doing something that was holding my child's progress back, as silly as that sounds. Her teacher shared this quote with me, as a reminder that there really isn't an exact timetable that a child's development follows; it is not an exact science. This was a valuable lesson for me, because at each pediatrician's visit from birth, my child's progress had been measured against predicted benchmarks and I had grown to believe that this was how children's growth and developed should be gauged. 

My advice to all parents: Remember that your child is an individual, with hidden talents and abilities which will be revealed when your child's growth and development decide it is time. Resist the human tendency to compare your precious child to other children (especially older siblings - each child has his or her own timetable!)

If your child expresses self doubt and notices a difference in his or her abilities as compared to classmates, first and foremost, reassure your child that he or she is smart, capable, and list all the things they do well to remind them of all of their accomplishments. Tell your child that everyone and everything grows at different rates, there isn't a right or wrong time. In private, discuss your child's development with the teacher and even the pediatrician, and be open and eager to hear what they have to say. It might be the first step in identifying an underlying condition or learning disability which might be impeding your child's progress - and in this event, the earlier you can take steps to intervene, the sooner your child will improve!

A great read on this subject for parents and children: "Leo the Late Bloomer" by Robert Kraus