Dizzy spell; Six-sational contestant at the bee.

COLUMN: IN OUR OPINION

We needn't wonder whether Lori Anne Madison can spell "wunderkind."

The 6-year-old can spell almost anything, it seems.

The Virginia girl is the youngest participant ever in the famous Scripps National Spelling Bee, under way in Washington, D.C. Most of this year's 278 participants are considerably older; the rules say they must not have gone beyond Grade 8 by this past Feb. 1.

This happy, precocious, home-schooled kid isn't all about spelling. She excels at swimming and math, and says she's a budding astrobiologist. But she adores the hobby that's bringing her a pint of fame this week, and likes to practice her spelling while bouncing on a trampoline.

Her mother and father are accomplished professionals. But according to her mother, speaking to the Associated Press, it wasn't parental pushing that had the child reading chapter books on her own by age 2-1/2, and wild for exploring the world. The girl just has it in her.

Lori Anne spelled "vaquero," which means cowboy, to win the regional bee in Prince William County in March. Her favorite word is a mouthful at any age: "sprachgefuhl," which means having a knack for the workings of language.

She's an extreme example, but her story reminds us of all kids at that age, kicking and screaming with energy to learn and to do. Parents and caregivers need to capitalize on young kids' interests, encourage and support them - and sit back and enjoy the show.

The preliminaries today are 8 a.m. to 5:30 P.M., shown live on ESPN3.com. The semifinals tomorrow, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., are shown live on ESPN2. The championship finals are 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow, shown live on ESPN.