ask ELLA MAE Ella Mae Gogel CEC-TAG Parent Committee Chair

A teacher of the gifted, in the first year of the district's gifted education program writes: "We are having our first parent meeting and I want to get the parents fired up about gifted education and their role. Would you send them a brief message about the importance of their support?"

Parents are the one continuous advocate for their children. Advocacy begins in the home in the way we live with our children. Love and respect them for who they are, not for what they can do. Continue to develop your awareness and understanding of giftedness so you can help your children understand themselves. Above all, be supportive and encouraging. Provide a safe, secure and happy place for your children. Be a flexible, interesting, enthusiastic, responsive, creative, curious and happy parent, filled with wonder about life, the world and its people. Then do everything you can to remain healthy; you'll need the energy. Parents also need to know what their local school program is, to be fully informed and kept up to date. Parents can offer positive support for local school programs and should be aware of state and federal legislation for gifted education. These laws often have an impact on every school district. My best wishes for the success of your children and the school program.

A parent of a preschool child asks: "My son is 4 and has been reading for more than a year. Recently, I was at the sewing machine and he was watching a program about DNA on public television. When the program ended, he wanted to discuss it with me, but I had paid little attention and told him so. He was furious with me, and said, 'I don't want a Mommy that doesn't know anything.' I was shocked and hurt. How should I have handled this?"

We can't be everything at all times for our children. Explain that in a kind way to your son. A 4-year-old can be very demanding, for they still believe the world revolves around them alone. Be patient and aware of his interests and then explore them together. Show him how to research a topic and read about it together. Do listen closely to your son; observe with all of your five sense and your intuition. He will tell you what he needs; in his drawings, his words, in his body language, in his eating and sleeping habits and in his interaction with friends . Do remember to have fun together and be sure your son understands that you also need time alone.