Dr. Yvonne Fournier

Normal 0 0 1 554 3163 26 6 3884 11.1282 0 0 0 Dear Dr. Fournier: I was recently reading a Parenting magazine at the dentist’s office, and I stumbled onto an article entitled “Raise the Next Steve Jobs[i].” I couldn’t help but notice that some of the recommendations and concepts it mentioned were ideas I have read in some of your past columns, like the overemphasis on standardized testing, celebrating curiosity, and the role of a parent. Eleanor P. Charlestown, SC Dear Eleanor, Some critics have raised eyebrows whenever I have said, “All of the children I work with are geniuses,” or “I have only taught geniuses.” The assumption, of course is that I am referencing children with a very high I.Q. test score. However, and as your article also noted, “genius” is a term that is loosely defined at best, and leaves us with an awkward, cultural understanding of the te... (more)

Studying Necessitates Strategy

Normal 0 0 1 597 3403 28 6 4179 11.1282 0 0 0 Dear Dr. Fournier: My son studies hard. He is in high school now and I am amazed at how much he has to learn. He is very motivated and spends hours taking notes and learning them. I ask him questions from his notes and he does very well. But then he gets to his tests and he makes the silliest mistakes, especially on multiple choice questions. In history, the choices could all be true or there is one best response. My son says he gets all mixed up. How can I help him? What I’m doing isn’t working. Mandy S. Portland, OR Dear Mandy... (more)

Goal of Mentoring Programs Is to Develop Independence

Normal 0 0 1 686 3912 32 7 4804 11.1282 0 0 0 Dear Dr. Fournier: I recently volunteered for a program through the company I work for to be a mentor in an after-school program for adolescents in the Inner city. Now I'm not sure what I should be doing. I went to a training course and a lot of it was on motivation and being a role model for them. At the orientation, one political official got up and spoke of how he grew up in the housing project and he made it in life. I grew up in the same city and the housing projects when weren't the housing projects of today. I was not impress... (more)

Most Valuable Gift to Child Could Be Presence

Normal 0 0 1 444 2533 21 5 3110 11.1282 0 0 0 Dear Dr. Fournier: A thought to pass on: “People travel to wonder at the heights of mountains, “At the huge waves of the sea, “At the vast compass of the oceans, “At the circular motion of the stars, “And they pass themselves by with­out understanding.” - St. Augustine How slowly history moves, while life speeds away. - San German, Puerto Rico ASSESSMENT: During the holiday season, it’s so easy to get caught up in what we do - buying presents, chauf­feuring the kids to special activities, or cooking a big family dinner - that... (more)

Preparation: Planning for College Should Begin Early

Dear Dr. Fournier: My son is closing out his 10th grade year. He does not seem to be too worried about college right now, since it is still over two years away. I feel a bit uneasy about it, however, because I don’t want things to go too long without making some sort of a plan. What can we do now so that we are ahead of the game for college prep? Anna B. Columbus, OH Dear Anna, You are doing your son a favor by asking these questions now. He needs to understand that the longer he waits, the fewer and fewer his options will become. Let’s get him moving! ASSESSMENT Sin... (more)