An article in the New York Times highlights the increasing pressure being put on young children.  The article refers to the fierce competition that exists in NYC for children to participate in certain Gifted and Talented school programs.  There were statistics and percentages quoted but my mind focused in on the tidbit that mentioned the great lengths to which parents are willing to go.  For example, some parents hire tutors for their pre-schoolers to prepare them for this testing or screening process.  Others purchase curriculum to aid them in preparation.  And still others send their precious four-year olds off to a preschool that spends a significant amount of time preparing the students for this test.  I am tempted to report these parents for child abuse.  Since when are the words gifted and prepared synonomous?  It seems to me that those students who come from a wealthy background have a much greater chance of being accepted because their financial status affords them the opportunity to pay for whatever it will take to get them in.  I must have misunderstood what it means to be gifted or talented in a particular area. And don't you feel sorry for these kids whose childhood is robbed from them in the name of education?  I don't think it was ever meant to be this way.