Addressing Questions From Gifted Children
Successfully Handling Constant Inquiries From Intelligent Kids
Sep 1, 2009
"Why is the sky blue?" "What was here before the earth began?" "Why to people kill each other?" These are sample questions from a gifted child under the age of ten. Kids who are developing at a very rapid rate in cognition have a driving desire to understand the world and their own place within it.
A highly intelligent child will certainly ask many questions that a parent will have difficulty addressing. Here are some ideas on how to productively address his questions to help satisfy is ongoing hunger for information and answers.
The Right Answer for a Gifted Child's Question
If parents can give a basic answer to a question, or even a complex one, do so. If the child is unfamiliar with the vocabulary of the response, have him look up the words or describe the meaning to him as he hears the response. For example, a question regarding why plants are green can be answered by identifying the exchange of gases, existence of a process called photosynthesis, etc.
Suggest that the child research the matter by going online or using research materials to develop a better understanding of this concept. The parent can assist him in finding the data and address his further questions as needed. In addition to internet research, it is a great idea to bring the child to a research library where he can access books, articles and other materials filled with the detail he seeks. Getting the child accustomed to the research process at a very young age will not only feed his need, it will allow him to "learn to fish on his own" for information.
A Gifted Child's Questions Which Don't Have Answers
There will be many questions asked that the parent will not have a viable answer for, or may have many possible answers or theories. In the discussion about the the earth and existence, the parent can give a description of the theories regarding the big bang or theological explanations or both.
These kinds of questions will undoubtedly stimulate his thought processes and will result in many more questions, ideas and conversations. Allow the child to extrapolate and expand on his ideas, providing additional answers or opinions. Again, encouraging research is the best response in terms of teaching the child how to answer his own questions, with some adult guidance.
Age Appropriate Answers to Sensitive Questions From the Intelligent Child
Questions regarding sexuality and other sensitive topics may require some special handling. Many parents will give the child all the information she asks for in vivid detail. Others take the child' s physical age into account before revealing too much anatomical detail. The parents' comfort level in responding will likely depend on how they perceive the child will respond to the information.
As nervous as some parents may be in divulging this kind of information, some are often pleased to discover that the child is quite capable of handing this in a very mature and matter-of-fact way. Every family has a different set of variables to consider in this situation, not the least of which is other siblings and discussions that have been shared – or not – with older children.
All children will eventually ask difficult questions. The parent should freely admit if she does not know the answer. Encouraging children to find their own answers by conducting internet as well as library research is an excellent tactic for handling his inquiries. Sensitive matters can be dealt with by giving age-appropriate answers or more detailed answers, depending on the feelings and opinion of the parents and how they have addressed these issues with others in the family.
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