By Lori Comallie-Caplan.
Nurture our gifted children. Encourage their complex thinking and sensitivity, for one moment they will be pondering the physical properties of the sun and the next they will be shedding silent tears over the beauty of the sunset. Understand their perfectionism and their idealism, for there will be times of confidence and there will be times of self-doubt. Support their intensity, for it will bring great disappointment, but it will also bring great joy. But, most important, listen, listen, listen. And then say, “must instead of mustn’t, and do instead of don’t, should instead of shouldn’t and will instead of won’t, then his future he will see, that anything can be!” (adapted from a poem by Shel Silverstein)
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Lori Comallie-Caplan, LMSW, is in private practice specializing in therapy and evaluation of gifted children and adolescents in Las Cruces, NM. She is a frequent presenter at SENG and NAGC and provides professional development to school districts and parent groups. Lori is also president of SENG’s Board of Directors.