Understanding My Child

Jared spent yesterday afternoon with the boys and I went to Panera to brainstorm ideas for school with Gage next year. I know this man loves me because he agreed to go to the parent program at VBS with Gage (and Shea) while I did my own thing. I’m sure he was one of the few Dads present. Anyway, I went to Panera, ate lunch, and then read from the most valuable book on my bookshelf, “The Edison Trait”.

This book, written by a psychologist named Lucy Jo Palladino has been an absolute life-saver for me. I found it a couple of years ago and it has encouraged me and given me fresh ideas in schooling Gage like no other book I’ve found. The reason for this is because the child she describes in the book is our child. For years, Gage and I have struggled, and this book explains it all. He is a divergent thinker. He thinks outside of the box.

I actually consider both Jared and I to be divergent thinkers, so you’d think that raising a divergent thinker wouldn’t be so challenging. We are constantly re-evaluating and coming up with new ideas to make things easier on all of us. I guess that’s where our divergent thinking comes in handy. Gage and I would have killed each other by now if I were not able to think outside of the box!

Here’s what the author says about the Edison trait:

“All children are imaginative and enjoy make-believe, but children who have the Edison trait live even closer to their imaginations. It is their lifeblood.”

“When the Edison trait child is intrinsically motivated, he has formidable mental power. If he is working on a project that is his own brainstorm, he is determined, tenacious, and persevering. As if by magic, he can work for hours involved in what he is doing. He finds ways to overcome barriers; his passion sees him through.” This is Gage in a nutshell. When he wants to get something done, he will find a way. I admire this.

According to the author there are different classifications of Edison trait children, and Gage most definitely fits into the the “dynamo” and “discoverer” categories. Here are some quotes about the “dynamo” and “discoverer”:

“Dynamos need new forms of stimulation at a fairly rapid rate. This can rattle the parent who wants to see his child make a commitment and stay with it.”

“The distinguishing feature of the dynamo is his boundless physical energy. Dynamos keep their bodies in motion one way or another, almost all the time. They walk, run, skip, kick, climb, jump, bounce, leap, bound, pounce, bolt, dash, race, sprint, dive, swim, splash, and fly. Dynamos act with gusto and zest. They are risk-takers and dare-devils. And, they are constantly entertaining. Life in their company is never dull.”

“Discoverers have to find things out for themselves and do things their own way.” Oh, yes! This is my Gage!

“In the past, your Edison-trait child has tried to use the same kind of switch he sees others use, but to no avail. He senses that he doesn’t operate the same way. He has a different configuration. Problems start getting solved when you work from his blueprints, not yours. You empower him to figure out his own circuitry, and the rules and methods to turn his lights on.”

Palladino says that every Edison-trait kid needs an adult who understands and believes in them. I hope that Gage will be able to say one day that his parents understood and believed in him. He is worth the time it takes to understand. I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world, even though I act like I would sometimes!