[metmom]

I have found that people overall, way underestimate what kids are capable of.

Nobody is challenged any more so nobody has any need to learn to push themselves or excel. Just good enough is better than most and they get their participation award regardless.

My youngest wanted to learn to crochet when she was 5. I didn’t think she was ready but she was determined and insisted to I taught her.

She struggled a bit, but mastered it quickly and became very good at it.

My son loved helping his dad and when we were laying the Pergo floor in the kitchen, he insisted on helping. I have pictures of him actually installing it.

At about 8 or 9. And he did a GOOD job.

When kids learn skills at a young age, they master them quickly and become very proficient and responsible.

[Myrddin]

I agree. Low expectations yields limited accomplishment. My son was enamored of Einstein's writing on relativity, but realized he lacked a grounding in trigonometry as part of understanding the material. I ran him through a crash course in trig over a couple weeks. That was enough. He earned a Physics degree and worked as a TA in the physics labs at ISU. Challenge and support the inquisitive student.