deb 's comment on Ask Stape: Should I Quit My Day Job?

I've got parents asking me (probably because I'm the only "serious" artist that they know) to look at their young child's art and tell them whether he should pursue this field of study and how to go about helping him to do that.
First, I don't feel qualified to give this kind of information...- today he likes art, but tomorrow, he might want to be a thoracic surgeon. I think parents should encourage, support, praise, yes,... but I don't know that it is possible to really tell at a young age whether a child has the talent, and the drive (both very important) to pursue art as a career. I really don't know what to tell them. I might be able to look at the child's work and say whether it is above average, but that's about the extent of my expertise on the subject. Got any resources or
suggestions for them?