Fintanism: Fintan's means of expression

Fintan is a funny boy. He comes out with things which are stated from his own unique perspective in a way which is often funny or revealing, or both.

The other day, in a taxi, Ainan, seven, and Fintan, three, were having a squabble. In the course of the squabble Ainan hit Fintan on the head.

Fintan scolded him at once: "Don't! My brain is inside!"

It was the tone of voice and the intonation that made it funny. He said it in such a way that he seemed to be implying that his Abang (older brother) must have overlooked this important fact. Also present in his speech was the absolute importance of protecting his brain. It is the first time, in my life, I have heard a child use this anatomical reason in such a way. There is another sense in which his words were well chosen: they could be seen as an attempt to speak in a manner which Ainan would understand - giving a scientific reason for not hitting him - a type of reason which he knows Ainan would respond to. This is typical of Fintan's social gift - knowing how to relate to particular people.

I am happy that each of my children is so different from the others. Each bears a unique character, and behaves and speaks in a different way. In such a family, it is impossible to lose an essential excitement in being a parent: there is always something new to be seen or heard, everyday.

Have a great day, to all - and a great parenting day, to parental readers.

(If you would like to read more of Fintan or his gifted brothers, Ainan Celeste Cawley, seven years and two months, and Tiarnan, twelve months, please go to: http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2006/10/scientific-child-prodigy-guide.html I also write of gifted education, intelligence, IQ, child prodigy, child genius, adult genius, baby genius, savant, the creatively gifted, gifted adults and gifted children in general. Thanks.)