Gifted Children

We are initiating a short monthly column on ideas and issues involving gifted children and young persons. This is important for the Young Mensans, parents, grandparents and all of us who were and still are gifted. We look forward to your suggestions for topics.

Herewith some general ideas about gifted persons, especially children:

1. Gifted Children are a much more diverse population that the general average so making general statements is amazing hubris.

2. Remember they are children first, then gifted.

3. Not all gifted students are gifted in all academic areas. Many lean to math-science or English-history, or whatever.

4. Not all gifted students need to take all honors classes. Especially at the secondary level, when term papers and projects all come due at the same time, ask, is the stress too much, is s/he eating regularly, sleeping, exercising, taking regular breaks and what stress relieving activities are happening? Is anyone living and having fun?

5. Some gifts are not academic. These include athletic, musical, artistic, dramatic, and all the many diverse talents that these wonderful persons have.

6. How to place a gifted student in school varies with the child. Consider their physical, emotional, and social as well as intellectual development. For some students, regular school placement is perfect. These students are student body and club leaders, organize projects and dances, compete in sports and academic competitions and bloom in an environment where they excel.

7. Accelerating an exceptionally brilliant student who is small, shy, and non-competitive and has a late birthday is not necessarily the best solution. Conversely, a large, friendly, competitive student with an early birthday may thrive on acceleration.

8. All children, especially the gifted, need to be taught to their mental age so they will be interested, excited by learning, and practice good study habits. Enlist your child’s teacher as an ally, if you can.

9. Some parents have the leisure and motivation to home school. Remember, your child probably has a different learning style from your own. Be objective: teach in a manner that works for them. Include social activities.

10. Confucius says, “The superior man must exhibit magnanimity.” This implies gifted children must be taught to be kind to others who are not as bright as they are, including adults.