"I think we take it as an article of faith in our society that great ability in any given field is invariably manifested early on, that to be precocious at something is important because it's a predictor of future success," Gladwell posits. "But is that really true? And what is the evidence for it? And what exactly is the meaning and value of mastering a particular skill very early on in your life?"
Might we, as a culture consider our individual history before we impose expectations on an offspring who is still in a state of flux? Would it not be wise to look at our children as a whole, as an individual with hopes, dreams, successes and what we might characterize as failures? Could it be that a student flunks a test and is, none-the-less, no less brilliant than the pupil who received a much higher score? What if society did not tell us we are a "disappointment" if we do or do not do . . .
Malcolm Gladwell muses of "Late Bloomers." Perhaps, each of us, erudite elders that we are might ponder the same. Before we ask our children to choose a career, to complete tasks as though there is an end to education, might we, the adults wonder of our own ability and accomplishments. Could policymakers, parents, Principals, and everyday people consider a precocious child may not be a prodigy or will be if pressure is not applied? Genuine genius grows.
References for reflection . . .
- Down From the Self-Esteem High, By William Celis. The New York Times. August 01, 1993
- Are we raising a nation of little egomaniacs? By Victoria Clayton. MSNBC News. April 2, 2007
- Overpraised Children Can Find They Have Problems Fitting In, By Carole Kenyon The New York Times. August 06, 1993
- Report looks at role of poverty, parents in student success, By Valerie Strauss. The Washington Post. May 18, 2010
- Early Warning! A Kids Count Special Report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation 2010
- The Myth of Prodigy and Why it Matters. By Eric Wargo. Observer. August 2006
- Late Bloomers, By Malcolm Gladwell. The New Yorker. October 20, 2008
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