How do I convince someone that she can handle work for an older child? Even at the library I wonder how to get it across to librarians that my child can read some adult books (she loves non-fiction) in the reference section... I need to convince others that she can do things that much bigger and older kids can do. Helpful hints?
To clarify my original response: organizations may be concerned with not only whether a child under the recommended age range for an activity can "
handle work for an older child" and "
can do things that much bigger and older kids can do"... but also whether the child can handle themselves, and also handle the unexpected (for example, a negative social situation, being overlooked, being ignored, or being presented with unforeseen and unanticipated information).
The helpful hint would be coaching the child to the point where a parent may honestly say that the child gets along well with others especially older children, is a great self-advocate and respectfully makes her needs known, and is emotionally mature... that she will be an asset to the event and not a burden... no one will notice her younger age.
When an organization makes an exception to their rules and is rewarded with a child's tears or a parent's chastisement, this may be like
smacking the oobleck with a spoon, creating an unyielding solid which is less likely to be flexible in their age rules.
