[Oz-gifted] Oh, dear! Those Older Children!

[Ellen Hrebeniuk]

L is in Kindy and, over the last term or so, has managed to get 
involved in playing handball with a group of Year 6 boys.  When he 
first started talking about it, we just thought that kids started 
handball younger these days, but no.  His teacher tells me that it's 
unusual for a K child to join in the games -- if they are interested, 
they are graciously allowed to be ball-boys.  Somehow, L has managed 
to actualy get into the playing, followed by some of his other 
friends in his K/2 composite, and there is now an all-age tournament 
running at recess and lunch time.  Very nice.

Except when L announces to Daddy at bath-time, "When some of the Year 
Sixes miss the ball, they say 'F***!'"  Hubby told him it was an 
extremely rude word and he'd be in serious trouble if we heard him 
using it.  A few minutes later, "F***! -- Oops!"  Hubby is kinder 
than I am and told him that was his final warning.  <hand to 
forehead>  Those Evil Older Children are corrupting my little boy!

L is quite verbally gifted and sooner or later will ask us what That 
Word means (we don't swear).  Or something else, like rape.  How have 
other people dealt with such questions?  Furthermore, do parents of 
gifted children find themselves talking about sex to the kids earlier?
-- 
Ellen Hrebeniuk
Sydney, Australia

Being a librarian is how you change the world.
Nancy Pearl