Children Who Lead Us - The Edison Trait

Millions of children are exhibiting dazzling intelligence, a free spirit and an approach to life that is driving everyone in their life to the edge. They excel at thinking divergently, full of ideas that tumble out one after another. Some of these children are being diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder) since it is difficult for them to pay attention in class, do many left brain oriented tasks and often appear to be overactive in relation to other children their age.

Thomas Edison was one of these children. He was a prolific inventor, counting 1,093 patents in his name. He was the personification of divergent thinking. Like the children mentioned above, Thomas Edison was unusually creative. It is possible that many individualistic children are carrying what is becoming known as the Edison-trait – an innate style of boundless, divergent thinking. These children enjoy adventure and prefer new territory, especially when it comes to their own mental landscape. They are highly original, unconventional and inventive. Some are seen as mavericks and, indeed, they are – the true pioneers of the next generation. Since these children are disposed to divergent thinking, it is often difficult for them to concentrate on one idea at a time. In view of this, their school years may be filled with pain and frustration.

Our society does not have many words to describe or converse about divergent thinkers. As a nation, we have been taught convergent thinking. Our schools are foundationed and stylized with this type of student in mind. The Edison-trait children struggle to learn, especially when it comes to detailed directions, rules of grammar and spelling and math. Their underlying potential often goes unnoticed.

The symptoms that these children display are by-products of their creative and energetic nature. This is an important concept for all adults to grasp. What really makes the difference to these children is having someone who believes in them, accepting and supporting them. Though all children benefit from having a supportive adult, the Edison-trait child needs one. It is critical to the child and probably the hardest asset to get.

These children stand up for their own ideas, especially the more uncommon ones. They do not rely on the opinions of others to form their critical judgments and stand firm with conviction even in the face of strong opposition. They work tenaciously for hours on a project that is their own brainstorm finding ways to overcome barriers with passionate interest. Inner direction and resolve guide them on.

It may be difficult to put belief in an Edison-trait child since the behavior they display often does not meet the norm. Parents and teachers see the child avoiding school work and homework, overhear other children teasing and often feel manipulated. There is concern and doubt that the child will succeed.

The child's innate way of thinking is an intrinsic part of him. It is the only thinking style that he has ever known. Each of these children yearns to be recognized for who they are and to have their strengths accepted. They are very sensitive and when a person in authority expresses doubt and fear that the child will succeed, they easily pick up the doubt and fear and make it their own. This makes an already difficult learning period even harder.

The child needs adults to see the world from the child's point of view. It is a process that results in effective communication and problem solving. It requires the adult to also be a maverick and pioneer, independently discovering the territory that the child is charting all alone.

Gaining the trust of an Edison-trait child is an honor. They see clearly and do not have room in their mental style for half-truths or hypocrisy. They keep a strong vision of the future as they want to see it and are actually inviting the adults in their world to take part in that future. They have the determination and stamina to make their visions come true. As Thomas Edison once said: "If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves".