Gifted Children

•Speech Impediments
by Rexanne ManciniAll children must learn how to speak ... a given under normal circumstances. While not all children have problems developing their speech and linguistic fluency, some kids find pronunciation and language flow difficult. Repeating words, struggling to enunciate correctly and stuttering to be understood while a toddler is learning to talk is absolutely normal and might continue until a child has mastered speaking. This could be by age three, age five or older, depending on the...

•Children Patriots
by Rexanne ManciniThis year will be an especially poignant Independence Day for the United States on July 4. While there has been a surge in patriotism since September 11, we all need to maintain a sense of pride and love for our country whether we are at war or living in peace. Children need to feel a sense of belonging, in their family, their classrooms and their country. They thrive in an environment of respect, compassion and stability. If we teach our kids love, honor, compassion and...

•Febrile Seizures
by Rexanne ManciniWhile fever is the body's natural defense against infection, approximately five percent of children have what are classified as simple febrile seizures while running a fever.If anyone has a child who suffers from febrile seizures, take heart ... 99 percent of children outgrow them by the time they are six years old and there are generally no ill after effects. Febrile seizures can occur in babies as young as three months old. When the child is running a fever, a seizure...

•Children s Allowance
by by Rexanne Mancini When we consider that the word allowance means, “allowing for,” it puts that “A” word into better perspective.Children will need access to their own stash of cash when they reach a certain age. Kids develop this need around age 8 or 9 and it grows into the monster it will become by about age 15 or 16 ... they do get more expensive with age, don’t they? At age 8, we began giving our older daughter money for each A on her report card and for each 100% on tests. We receive...

•Teaching Children Good Manners
 by: Rexanne Mancini Last week in my newsletter, I mentioned that my children knew how to behave in nice restaurants because they had been exposed to the atmosphere at an early age. My idea of well behaved might be different from yours, however, I think there are certain basics that are important and universal. When my daughters were babies, we would take them wherever we went. If they began to fuss or cry, one of us would promptly remove them from the room/restaurant/market/wherever. Not...

•Childhood Friendships
 by: Rexanne Mancini Childhood friendships are as special as they are a necessary part of growing up. While some of our children will maintain these friendships into adulthood, many will not. Kids move away or they find other friends with more current interests and grow apart. Whatever form a childhood friendship is taking, know that these relationships are vital to your child’s well-being and growth as a human being. Your child may have one very special friend from the time they are in...

•Grieving Children
by Rexanne ManciniWhile it is my belief that death is just one more experience to seek growth and soul development in our current physical forms, losing a loved one is never easy. Our family has experienced its fair share of grief in the past few years. We’ve lost my sister-in-law (my daughters’ aunt), a beloved uncle and a cherished pet, to name just a few. I try to reassure my daughters that a loved one who has moved on is safe and happy, however, we still need to grieve and accept the...

•Learning Disabilities
by Rexanne ManciniThere are so many learning labels floating around these days ... A.D.D., A.D.H.D., Dyslexia, etc. Basically, these are labels pinned on children who are in some way learning disabled. I think most of these kids are learning advanced, but I'll try to stick to the facts ... somewhat ... ;-) Children who cannot sit still or are disruptive in a classroom environment are sometimes suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) When they are also extremely hyper, they earn the...

•Spanking Children
by Rexanne Mancini~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage of readers who do not spank their children: 37% Percentage of readers who spank their children: 62% ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am completely opposed to spanking. I know that almost twice as many of you spank your children as don't. At the risk of alienating 62 percent of my subscribers, I cannot, in good conscience, keep my opinions to myself. ;-) I feel we have evolved enough as a society to understand...

•The Importance of Mothers
 by: Rexanne Mancini Moms, did you ever question your value as a role model, caretaker, administer of hugs and Band-Aids? I think we all have in today's climate of do more, get more, have more. Many of us work to bring home a paycheck and others work for our sanity. Have you ever wondered if your children were better off with the baby sitter than you? Scientific studies are beginning to point to the overwhelming value of a mother's love, hugs and support. Nannies, baby-sitters and...