Educational Media Reviews Online

The four chapters in this tidy video alternate between authorities imparting facts and research and “video diaries” highlighting family situations. Each is a brief overview and only touches the tip of the iceberg. A menu screen including the expected options of Play and Chapters 1-4 is easily navigable, but lacking descriptors, though these are available on the packaging. Selecting Play opens to the entrance of a house crowded with toys, and moves to a group of children seated in a circle.

Dr. Ed Blackstock, a child psychologist, in chapter one explains the key factors considered when labeling a child as “gifted” such as early reading, extreme interest in how things work, and a physical or spatial gift such as music; stating schools tend to be interested primarily in the verbal area. The World Conservatory of Music explores briefly musical giftedness, including the Suzuki method. Here maturity that allows the student to take advantage of the gift, sitting and listening, etc. as well as hallmarks such as the ability to add details to performance, like phrasing, that have not yet been formally taught are incorporated. Two parents elucidate feelings of inadequacy in their abilities to cope with and nurture their child’s gift and also to provide a “normal childhood” for them and their siblings. Dr. Blackstock mentions good school programming to conclude the segment.

The second chapter is a “video diary” showcasing 12-year-old piano prodigy, Pearl, and her family. Gloria Chen, the mother, explains what the family has done to provide opportunities for the gifted children in the family and what their expectations are for them. Pearl stages her ability through video of practice sessions.

The third chapter reverts to another authority figure; Dr. Jack Holland, an endocrinologist describing some reasons for early-onset puberty including environmental factors, hormones and chemicals in foods and sunscreen, and the inappropriate issues that adults convey to children. The Springle family, including two pre-pubescent daughters is the model as they endeavor to keep their girls children as long as is possible and appropriate. A book The Hurried Child by David Elking. Professor of Child Development at Tufts University is suggested.

The fourth and final chapter is again a “video diary” where mother Nasira Malik talks about daughters, Nisha, 8 who has Down’s syndrome, and Rida, age 11, who is gifted and the challenges they present for their family. Video footage of the girls interacting and of Rida’s successful science fair project about Down’s syndrome is shown.

The video then flashes quickly a web link, but its screen time is too short to jot it down without pausing the video. Credits scroll, followed by a white screen and a return to the initial menu.

Audio and video qualities are admirable, while the editing incorporates changes from documentary style information and footage of the children to maintain interest, while making skillful use of the thirty minute time frame. The graphics between chapters are simple and quick. Useful as an overview of these four topics, this could be shown in its entirety or segments could be viewed individually to introduce further study. It is not comprehensive, nor does it appear to intend to be, and the planned audience is parents, but educators alike could benefit.