As long as we (societally, I mean) regard a high level of cognitive activity as the sole purview of "adulthood," then we are necessarily telling HG children that they have to
wait for fulfillment until
childhood has ended.The answer isn't to treat children who are eager for greater cognitive and academic challenges that they need to BE OLDER to enjoy them...
but to allow them to be
themselves in the first place, and worry about labeling and categorizing on the basis of observation/activities a distant second, if at all.
IMO, anyway. My DD is eleven, and yes, she is
eleven. She isn't twenty, but she can discuss Shakespeare like she is. She isn't forty, but she can appreciate chamber music like she is. She isn't seven, but she loves Star Wars like she is. As long as I insist that she IS NOT nineteen, I don't see any reason why letting her do some of the cognitive activities more typical for that age is
wrong. Or why it is 'rushing' her if we
allow it.
