Any parents of gifted children here ?

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

Tamarind, thank you for taking time & effort to look through the book.


To both Tamarind & Chamonix. Thanks again for giving some thoughts & opinion on the book. The question that Chamonix post which incidently is the same one I tried to cover with my ds on that day is such a passion killer that I don't take the effort to look through the whole book. It was only yesterday when I see there is a different of opinion that I gather the courage & spare some time to look through at it again beyond page 1. :oops:

I hope ds find math as a game to play. It's the only way to enjoy learning & not think it as a chore. I hope it has ripple effects too. When a person feels good about something, he is likely to feel good about everything.

Okay. We can now go back to think how to help enrich our children with creativity. Back to the point. Any ideas? Also, there is a fine line between nurturing passion & balancing school work. Any suggestion?

[metz]

Hi En,


I'm not sure if you would consider this book Challenging Math 4-1 as a passion killer. This book is highly recommended if the kid is looking for challenging questions.

On the topic of creativity, I suppose 'free play' is very important in allowing room for creativity and imagination. Seriously, I don't have a list of activities in developing creativity.

Btw, does creativity goes hand in hand with critical thinking?
[quote]Also, there is a fine line between nurturing passion & balancing school work. [/quote] Tough question..

[kiasulang]

Recently, I bought a 3D puzzle for my younger son. He must have found it challenging and ask his older brother for help. Then, they are able to create many different models together. I mean together. I think finding the right toys for your kids is the most important thing.

[en107rn.01056yahoo.01056com.01056sg]

chamonix wrote [quote]I'm not sure if you would consider this book Challenging Math 4-1 as a passion killer.[/quote]
I do bought 2 Challenging Math for P1 books for my ds to work on. But have not seen or heard Challenging Math 4-1. Can it be found in Popular? I consider any topic a passion killer as long as it does not hold interest or too difficult/too easy for my child to work on.

Here is some interesting article that I read.

http://giftedkids.about.com/od/nurturinggiftsandtalents/i/nurture_push_2.htm

Chamonix wrote [quote] Btw, does creativity goes hand in hand with critical thinking? [/quote]Good question! I don't know the answer but am glad I goggle. :lol:
There are several other sites which I'm too sleepy to look through. But I do like the content of the following site.

http://www.growmymind.com/creativity/creative-critical-thinking.htm

Quote:
Also, there is a fine line between nurturing passion & balancing school work.

Come next year, I'm pondering when I can do the 2 math books with him & carry out science experiment without affecting his school work. Just need to finalize my next year schedule & I think I should have some time to squeeze.
[/quote]

[cnimed]

As usual, I'm joining in the conversation late.


A few thoughts on creativity:
- creativity at its height is cross-disciplinary. Highly creative individuals usually draw inspiration from disparate fields, but root their creations in their respective fields.

- creativity is both like a plant and a storm. It takes time to grow and develop, at the same time brainwaves may come in a flash (after that growth period).

- at the same time, I subscribe to Montessori/Waldorf early childhood ideas of truth and beauty in the early years, and spending time in Nature. Nature's designs are both mathematical and artistic, and perfect for young minds and active bodies.

- as they get older, quality open-end toys and close-end toys. We spend time going to plays and orchestral performances, we also take time to examine gears and basic machines.

- of course, quality/whimsical books provide grist for the mill.

- all important free time to let their minds wander and execute ideas.
- discussions with adults refine their ideas and help to trouble-shoot.

My kids are young, so the activities we do may not be relevant to those of you with older children. But generally, I think as long as you give the child quality grist for the mill, and thereafter, allow him free play, he'll ... well, find his way!

[cnimed]

EN:

However, do beware that it also depends on the teacher openness & teaching experience.

I realised this belatedly...ie after school year ended! :oops: I heard such good things about this teacher I doubted my judgement as a mother. the teacher insisted that DS1's behavioural problems was because of a new sibling, that it was a very common phenomenon and she's helping by giving him the space to \"let out his frustrations\" in school. When I suggested that he was bored (ok, not very tactful I guess), she cited some studies that said children must do things 8 times to learn it. :roll:

But now looking at how loving DS1 is towards DS2, and how much happier he is, I know she was definitely off the mark. The home situation has not changed at all. What has changed is that there are no longer anyone making him learn the same things 8 times, and there are no longer any children secretly pinching him and scratching him. No more adults who say - as long as no one cries, I don't want to hear about any of it.

The good thing is now even my ILs think I'm right to pull him out of school next year. My FIL actually told me a few days ago that finally, DS1 is back to himself again and he supports my decision.

[metz]

Hi En,


The book can be found in Popular Bookstore.

Thanks for the site on creative vs critical thinking. Still trying to digest it

As for striking a balance between school work and nurturing passion, I hope I wouldn't be so caught up with the rat race that I sacrifice the latter unwittingly.



Hi deminc,

Great to hear that you have worked out a favourable situation for your son. Well, sometimes school isn't the answer to everything. As long as you can provide time and an enriching environment, your kids will definitely benefit more from attending any schools.

[cnimed]

chamonix:

Hi deminc,

Great to hear that you have worked out a favourable situation for your son. Well, sometimes school isn't the answer to everything. As long as you can provide time and an enriching environment, your kids will definitely benefit more from attending any schools.

Well he's only 4+, so school should not have been a big deal in the first place.

I've been reminded to look ahead at primary schools though - volunteer or RC work *faint*. I don't remember my parents having so much headache over my schooling!

[metz]

deminc:

Well he's only 4+, so school should not have been a big deal in the first place.

I've been reminded to look ahead at primary schools though - volunteer or RC work *faint*. I don't remember my parents having so much headache over my schooling!

Indeed, preschools have never been important for us. DS detested school when he was 3 years old. We withdrew him after one term. When he was 4 years old, he didn't exactly hate school, just adopted a \"doesn't matter if I go or don't\" attitude. So, we took him out again after one term. Arise is the first school he stayed more than a term. :lol: I suppose maturity plays a part. He's now able to tune out the boring parts and concentrate on things that interest him. Btw, he's still very much a loner in school. He just doesn't see the need to be part of any group. As long as he's happy, I don't see that as a problem.

As for my girl, we are not going to repeat the same mistake. She's happy to stay home and attend courses that she's interested in.

Primary school, my headache next year. Haha, being a laidback parent, we haven't done anything yet

[tamarind]

EN:

Okay. We can now go back to think how to help enrich our children with creativity. Back to the point. Any ideas? Also, there is a fine line between nurturing passion & balancing school work. Any suggestion?

Gifted children, or exceptionally bright children, should require only minimum amount of time on their school work and still do well. They only need 80 or 85 marks and above to get an A, right ? But if parents insist that the child gets 100 marks for every subject, for the purpose of topping the class every year, then the child will have to spend a lot more time doing assessment books, and not much time nurturing passion.

Developing creativity

First we must be aware of all the following which stifle creativity in a child :
1. Watching too much TV.

2. Playing too much electronic/computer games.

3. Doing too many assessment books.

4. Attending too many enrichment classes.

When children are doing 1 or 2, they are actually not making much use of their brains. For 3 and 4, children are made to do things in pre-defined ways, they are trained to do things in ways that adults think are correct. Creativity is about doing things nobody has done before, it is all about originality.

Secondly, we must give the child the tools for creating :
1. Excellent reading and writing skills are most essential.

2. Paper, pencil, coloring materials, scissors, glue, scotch tape, etc, should be made freely accessible to the child. Let the child try different types of tools.

3. Educational toys, like Lego, ZOOB, Superstructs, etc, are good for developing creativity.

4. Good books at home for the child to learn and draw their inspiration from.

5. For the older child who is interested in science and technology, learning a computer programming language is essential. In fact, in this generation, every scientist/mathematician/engineer etc will have to master at least one programming language. Instead of playing computer games, ask the child to think of a new computer game, and then think about how to implement it.

Finally, we must give children the freedom and enough free time, to try out whatever they want. Encourage them to come up with new ideas. Not all ideas are good or useful, and they may encounter failures. But the important thing is to keep trying.

I am still trying to find ways to develop creativity. Hopefully other parents can give more ideas.

Most parents are concerned with problem solving skills, which are also very important. For the gifted or exceptionally bright child, it is very easy to acquire problem solving skills. But it is not easy to develop creativity. Creativity is important not only in arts, but also in science, technology, and even in business.