There’s a lesson in the Wizard of Oz!

It’s at the end of this piece.

After an initial speech and language evaluation, I visit with all parents.

Often, there’s a box of tissue nearby on the table.

Sometimes, there are difficult things to discuss.

Always, there are questions.

One of the most difficult questions is how to help as a parent.

My advice continues to be “encourage”.

Every child has been given gifts.  Each child is unique.

Often,  the tendency is to try to “complete” the child.

My advice is to recognize their gifts.

Every human being has been given gifts.

Encourage those gifts!

One’s gift may be sports.  It may be dance.  Or art.  Or music. Or theater.   Or gymnastics.  Or cheerleading.  Or hunting.

The gift may be nurturing other people.  Maybe babysitting the neighbor’s little children.  Visiting a lonely elder.  Volunteering in a hospital.  Working at church.  Baking cookies for sad people.

The gift may involve animals.  Walking a neighbor’s dog.  Volunteering at a vet’s clinic.  Maybe working at the zoo?  Or helping at a neighborhood stable.

The gift may be graphic arts.  Drawing?  Making pottery.  Sculpting.  Making jewelry.  Decorating.  Weaving.  Knitting.  Fashion design.  Photography.

The giftedness may be using the computer.  Coding.  Powerpoint.  Canva designing.  Using Excel.  Making videos.

The gift may be of organization.  Organize spaces.  Help others organize spaces.  Even the messy friend.

Yes, encourage their gift!

And I soften my voice when I remind parents of a sad fact.

Right now, children are often judged by academic performance.

There is life beyond the academic setting.

Let’s focus on their strength of character.

That’s the lesson from Oz.