Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in the United States.
CASTLES IN THE AIR Q. What causes daydreaming? We find that our seven-year-old boy day dreams a lot, and his teacher has com plained of this at school. A. Everyone daydreams some. It isn’t especially harmful unless it in terferes with getting things done, or unless one comes to enjoy the dream world more than the real one. Actually, people daydream because it is more pleasurable than doing what they are expected to do. When a child finds his school work too hard or too dull, or even too easy, he is apt to start daydreaming. In other words, daydreaming is an escape. One’s imagination often supplies a more satisfying place to be. Children love activity. If they are expected to sit for too long a time, or if they are doing something with out a real purpose, they may day dream. We find that timid children are apt to substitute excessive reading and daydreaming for playing aggres sively. Some daydreaming can be taken care of by giving more purposely and challenging work, or by making tasks easier, whichever is appropriate. Of course each case has to be handled differently inasmuch as no two chil dren have exactly the same reasons for being unhappy with life. Nagging and scolding usually make the situation worse. I would suggest that you find out when and where he daydreams. You will be more likely to discover the cause of your boy’s daydreaming if you encourage him to talk a great deal about what he likes and dislikes, as well as about his fears and his joys. HELP SPEED ME UP Q . / am a Christian wife and mother o f five children, from one year to thirteen years. I would like to knqw if you have any tests that might help 28
uncover the reason why 1 am so much slower and have so much more dif ficu lty organizing my work than anyone 1 have ever known in similar circumstances. Perhaps you think I am kidding myself that this is the case, but let me give you some facts. I had a very good background for learning to work efficiently. I grew up on the farm and was active in 4-H work. My achievements were of high quality, but I was always slow. Scholastically, I finished sixth in my high school class of 150 students. After taking pre-nursing, I entered a school of nursing. 1 was always the slowest in my class. All of the other girls got their highest grades in their clinical work, while their theory grades were somewhat lower. I always got A’s and B’s in theory, but my clinical grades were all C’s, except psychiatry and tuberculosis nursing. In these areas, speed and efficiency weren’t so important. Nearly all my clinical evaluations say, “Conscien tious but slow and disorganized.” At home I seem to always be be hind. I seem to have very little sense of timing and have difficulty think ing straight on practical matters and making quick decisions. Interruptions throw me for a loop. I am not a perfectionist, but what I want to achieve is to be able to control my responsibilities instead of having them control me. I wish to have time for more of the important extra things with my husband and children, and more time to give to the Lord’s service. A. I can well understand your con cern about your inability to organize your work and get things done effi ciently. This is a problem shared by everyone, but with some it is more serious than with others. There are undoubtedly three pos sible reasons for your difficulty. The
first is that you may be failing to use techniques which will speed you in your work and save time and labor. On the other hand, your difficulty may be a reflection of a deep person ality conflict, which is hindering you from thinking clearly and organizing efficiently. If this is the case, I would encourage you to seek the help of a Christian physhologist or couselor who can discuss the situation with you. As the conflicts are resolved you will become a more efficient person. Another possible cause might be medical. An examination by a phy sician, especially a neurologist, might be helpful. May I suggest that you consider these three possibilities then seek the professional help which you feel is most appropriate. Life is short, and you should certainly find the causes for this problem so that you can make the best use of your years here on earth. GIFTED CHILDREN Q. Not long ago I heard a school psychologist give a lecture, and sev eral times he mentioned “gifted!’ chil dren. In the field of psychology, is there a special meaning for “gifted!’? A. Children who possess one or more special talents or abilities of a high order, such as music, painting, and mathematics are sometimes referred to as being gifted. I imagine, however, that the school psychologist you heard was referring to children who are intellectually gifted. Naturally, there is a great deal of difference in individual intelligence. Although most of us are average, with intelligence quotients of approxi mately 100, some people possess a very high degree of intellectual brightness. Those whose IQ is 140 and above are usually referred to as “ gifted.”
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