On understanding children.

Many people don't really listen to their children or watch what they do - and so they never give themselves the chance to truly understand them.

There is a lot more happening in a child's life than random, meaningless play. Some people seem to think that there is no meaning to children's play. On the contrary, there is much. Their actions are usually guided by some innate intention. You just have to watch your children to come to understand why they do what they do and what it means.

I do this. I watch them play and I relate what they do to the context of their situation and what I know of them, and so I come to understand what it is that they are really doing. Many people don't make this effort - and so they don't see what their kids are really up to.

So, the next time your kid is at play, have a good look at what they do and when. You might see a lot more going on than is at first apparent.

Good luck.

(If you would like to learn more of Ainan Celeste Cawley, a scientific child prodigy, aged eight years and one month, or his gifted brothers, Fintan, four years and seven months, and Tiarnan, two years exactly, please go to: http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2006/10/scientific-child-prodigy-guide.html I also write of gifted education, IQ, intelligence, the Irish, the Malays, Singapore, College, University, Chemistry, Science, genetics, left-handedness, precocity, child prodigy, child genius, baby genius, adult genius, savant, gifted adults and gifted children in general. Thanks.)