by Madalyn Aslan

Today there are more theories than ever about why children behave in certain ways. Astrology advises that every child has different needs depending on the time they were born. Common behaviors labeled "problems" can be natural-born inclinations.

For instance, your overly hyperactive youngster may not have ADD after all – if she's a Gemini that is. Gemini children naturally multi-task; they really can hear what you're saying while they watch TV, talk on the phone and finish their homework, all at the same time. Don't rush to the baby optometrist because your infant Aquarian doesn't blink. He's just staring into space (probably outer space) as brilliant Aquarius babies do!

And you don't have to secretly panic that your tiny crab may grow up to be a sociopath. Periods of seclusion improve the Cancer child's health. The same goes for worrying about your Capricorn kid who's having trouble sleeping at night. Relax, Capricorn children are naturally nocturnal. Meal-time problems? Get hip: Taurus eats a lot, Virgo little. Laziness with homework? Aries does best when it's made into a contest or race – Pisces when the lesson is told through a story (preferably a fairytale).

J.K. Rowling, the author of the highly imaginative Harry Potter series, understands the role astrology can play in shaping any child. Her colorful characters are spread across the entire zodiac, demonstrating the endearing – and sometimes infuriating – idiosyncrasies of each astrological sign.

When I was asked to write a column for parents on children's horoscopes, I concentrated on six areas – eating and sleeping patterns, learning behavior, socialization, discipline and sibling rivalry. What I found out was mind-blowing! The zodiac sets it all up from day one. I now tell parents they can save themselves years of worry by remembering one simple rule. Don't try to fit your kids all into one mold. They are as individual as the time and place they were born.

Aries – Your exclamation mark kid
Your Aries child knows what he or she wants. Born of fire, these kids are bold, energetic and daring – and can also be bossy, demanding and loud! You can help them by igniting their enthusiasm and supporting their dreams and ambitions. As the first sign of the zodiac, they must come first in everything. Aries energy is like a ram's – forward-moving and unstoppable. Harry Potter's irrepressible Aries twins, Fred and George Weasley, were born on April 1.

Taurus – Your miracle worker kid
Your Taurus child is a perceptive problem solver with relentlessly strong energy. Use hugs and cuddles to get him or her to do what requests or commands won't. Taurus is an earth sign and farmers plant their crops during Taurus. It's no coincidence that Harry Potter's Taurus is Professor Pomona Sprout. This earthy witch born May 15 holds class in a greenhouse and gets her first name from the Roman goddess of fruit trees. Taurus bears fruit, slowly, surely and beautifully.

Gemini – Your magical juggler kid
Your Gemini, in many places at once, needs lots of space and no worries. He or she is talkative, curious and funny. These multi-tasking Peter Pans of the zodiac are given to sleeping little, daydreaming a lot and starting to chatter earlier than most kids. They're smart, gifted and they think fast. This double-sided twin energy is enticingly represented by Harry Potter's nemesis Draco Malfoy. Born a Gemini twin on June 5, he can truly be on either side.

Cancer – Your sensitive family kid
Your Cancer child has antennae at the end of their emotions – their feelings go that far. And their brilliant memories don't let go of anything and this includes you. They're protective and family-oriented and from infancy know how to make you laugh. It's important that mother is happy because psychic baby crab picks up everything! Cancer rules the house and home so it's no surprise that Harry Potter's Dobby, whose birthday is June 28, is the house elf who is super–protective of Harry.

Leo – Your charismatic leader kid
Your Leo cub is royally popular and proud of their family, for you are literally their pride – of lions. Having a discipline problem? Just say "you don't look attractive when you do that" and they'll stop. Your young star is generous, original, enthusiastic and born to be in the spotlight – just like Leo Harry Potter himself born July 31 – who has greater powers than any of his peers. And, no surprise, July 31 is the birthday of author J.K. Rowling, Leo master creator of all!

Virgo – Your helpful truth-telling kid
Your Virgo child is smart, giving, loving and constructively critical. Virgos love deeply and try hard, so go easy on the discipline. You only have to show your little Virgo something once and he or she will remember it always. Harry Potter's Hermione Granger, whose birthday is September 19, is the perfect Virgo. The most critical and clever girl at Hogwarts, she's rabid about rules and constantly haranguing her beloved Ron Weasley about behaving like a proper prefect!

Libra – Your it's-all-about-fairness kid
Your Libra child is charming, idealistic and a debater. Encourage their creativity and artistic talents and make sure they have access to a library. Don't yell. They need peace, harmony, beauty and manners. When it comes to making decisions, help them by suggesting a solution gently several times and be prepared to give them plenty of time. The Libran love for justice is exemplified perfectly by Harry Potter's strict and fair Professor Minerva McGonagall who is responsible for her students' good manners and whose birthday is October 4.

Scorpio – Your probing transformer kid
Your Scorpio child is intense, determined, loyal, intuitive and fiercely protective of their siblings, even if they fight with them. Their room has a huge Do Not Disturb sign on the door and is likely to be bare inside. They are smart beyond their years, making you wonder how on earth they got such street smarts. Never underestimate a Scorpio – their influence is felt everywhere, just like Harry Potter's Molly Weasley born Oct 30. Remember how she sends Howlers and insists on the color maroon (a Scorpio color) even though her son Ron hates it? That's Scorpio!

Sagittarius – Your mover and shaker kid
Your Sagittarius child is fun, blunt and adventurous, and tells it like it is. The original kid in The Emperor's New Clothes who shouts out "But he's not wearing any clothes!" is a true Sag kid. Endlessly curious, these go-getters love to take risks, fearlessly charging through their lives. Harry Potter's half-giant Hagrid whose birthday is December 6 is the perfect Sagittarius giant kid – kind, sometimes irresponsible, never malicious and drawn to strange magical creatures.

Capricorn – Your wise idealist kid
Your Capricorn child is persistent, idealistic, sweet and disciplined. Goats are typically born old and get younger as they grow older. The one thing these children are not is flighty or superficial, however they behave. Parents and caretakers need to teach these serious youngsters how to relax and have fun. Harry Potter's Professor Severus Snape, born January 9, is the quintessential Capricorn – a dedicated teacher who takes on challenges and makes brave and difficult decisions.

Aquarius – Your analytical humanitarian kid
Your Aquarius child is rebellious, creative and passionate about the truth. Aquarius rules the future and these kids can hear things that haven't even been said yet. They are brilliant but may need help with manifesting their thoughts into something concrete. They also love to experiment, investigate and explore. Arthur Weasley's birthday is February 6 and he is a typical Aquarian: easygoing, open-minded and humanitarian enough to be kind to Muggles who everyone else dismisses.

Pisces – Your creative dreamer kid
Your Pisces child is sensitive, sympathetic, psychic and loves critters. These softies are devoted to their siblings but can feel left out in the family and may need more attention. They are such daydreamers because they have fins, not feet, and so have trouble keeping their feet on the ground and living in the material money world. Ron Weasley's birthday is March 1 and he became Harry's best friend by helping him out (onto Platform Nine and Three Quarters) and has everything second hand, including his wand!

About the Author
Madalyn Aslan has been reading palms and studying astrology since she was a child. She is the author of a book for children, What's Your Sign? A Cosmic Guide for Young Astrologers, as well as Madalyn Aslan's Jupiter Signs and CosmoGirl Astrologer – plus several columns on astrology. Her work has been published in six languages.