How to tell if a child is gifted?
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:? I thought a kid is identified gifted because of things they can do without pushing? They actually do not need to be taught but they need to be exposed.
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ks2me:
:? I thought a kid is identified gifted because of things they can do without pushing? They actually do not need to be taught but they need to be exposed.
Unfortunately, having interacted with many, I don't think this is 100% true anymore in our GEP classes. Many very gifted children are not identified for these reasons:
1. Parents don't even put them through the GEP screening tests.
2. Children are not good test takers.
3. They are not 'gifted' in the areas MOE want to nurture. i.e. they are good in sports, music, very good EQ etc.
Hence, I think about 10% (just my own estimate) get through because they are hot housed. Some hot housed ones don't even get through. Easily identify them: the ones that have good results in school, and don't do well in the screening.
Thing is, I feel that there are pros and cons in calling your child 'gifted' too young. They might have the wrong expectation of their own abilities, thinking they are really special, when they had all the privileges, and then as they move on with their education, e.g. into the tertiary institutions, it is no longer about how hot housed you are, but some situations and some problems need a lot more brains. At that time, when the child realizes that he cannot solve those better than the 'inferior' ones, they will go into a state of denial or depression. They will somehow lose their identities. Very dangerous. Some even become suicidal.
For those that go through hothousing and still don't do well, they will grow up hating their parents for all the 'pains' they had to go through and lost their childhood or adolescence. I have many students who are like that. They simply keep all their 'secrets' from their parents. Also quite sad.
That's why, while I do believe giving a child help is good, if a parent becomes the lead in the education process rather than the child, then it could be counter productive in the long term.
On the flip side, if the child is by nature a gifted one, he needs that intellectual stimulation. You will know, and he will find his ways to get that, he needs no books. (I am honest here). I know of a child who had no books all her life. She had only 1 set of 12 story books all of her primary school years. She learnt by observation and questioning. Her parents are illiterates. She went on and became a professor.
I might have a very different view to things because of my exposure, and I am not against buying and nurturing your kids. In fact, I do that too. But my heart goes out to children whose parents cannot wait to call them 'gifted' because I know that's not what they want. They want to be normal and mix with their friends. They don't need to walk around and multiply 10 numbers by 10 numbers. They need to walk with friends and catch a movie together.
That's again my view lah. And, like I said many times, it is probably not the best.
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I think what is being said here, as I understand, is that a gifted child should be nurtured and parents should 'show' the way to the child via engaging stimulus so that to encourage/further develope his ability.
However,
The parents should not 'lead' or take the 'lead' in the direction (key point being stressed here). It is the child who has to take the lead once shown how and parents should monitor the child's progress and provide necessary intervention accordingly.
At the same time,
Parents should be mindful that they (the child) have to attain life skills so that the child will be able to mingle in society with ease and not feel as if he is 'a thorn among the roses'.
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Okie, the comments below are JMOHO ... as I am not an expert ... just using my common sense, no stats or research to back up. Also not trying to stir up anything here
A truly gifted child will thrive well in any 'healthy' environment. Also, this doesn't mean that he can't develope his giftedness in other ways ie using his hands like in art, puzzles, fixing things, be musically inclined etc... or asking questions and trying to find out the ans (that is one highly visible trait) ....
You see, I believe that because they are gifted, they can still thrive in EL or CL (if they lack in either one or any of the the lang skills) when they are given the opportunity, no matter when. They will pick it up by listening, interacting and thru exposure to reading, and v quickly too. Thats the edge they have compared to the others.
Yes, a gifted child must be exposed to stimulus where his giftedness is given the opportunity to develope, but it doesn't always have to start in the academic or in a specific lang area . And a gifted child can only be identified young if the parents are aware what signs to look out for.
Ultimately, the attainment of lifeskills should complement the need to further nurture a child who has been identified/thought of as gifted. -
autumnbronze:
:goodpost: :goodpost: :lol:I think what is being said here, as I understand, is that a gifted child should be nurtured and parents should 'show' the way to the child via engaging stimulus so that to encourage/further develope his ability.
However,
The parents should not 'lead' or take the 'lead' in the direction (key point being stressed here). It is the child who has to take the lead once shown how and parents should monitor the child's progress and provide necessary intervention accordingly.
At the same time,
Parents should be mindful that they (the child) have to attain life skills so that the child will be able to mingle in society with ease and not feel as if he is 'a thorn among the roses'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okie, the comments below are JMOHO ... as I am not an expert ... just using my common sense, no stats or research to back up. Also not trying to stir up anything here
A truly gifted child will thrive well in any 'healthy' environment. Also, this doesn't mean that he can't develope his giftedness in other ways ie using his hands like in art, puzzles, fixing things, be musically inclined etc... or asking questions and trying to find out the ans (that is one highly visible trait) ....
You see, I believe that because they are gifted, they can still thrive in EL or CL (if they lack in either one or any of the the lang skills) when they are given the opportunity, no matter when. They will pick it up by listening, interacting and thru exposure to reading, and v quickly too. Thats the edge they have compared to the others.
Yes, a gifted child must be exposed to stimulus where his giftedness is given the opportunity to develope, but it doesn't always have to start in the academic or in a specific lang area . And a gifted child can only be identified young if the parents are aware what signs to look out for.
Ultimately, the attainment of lifeskills should complement the need to further nurture a child who has been identified/thought of as gifted. -
Everyone well-said!!!! :salute:
Case in point, Michael Jackson, he was very gifted in music and performance, born natural indeed but he lacked the lifeskills to see him through all the crisis he faced. And his life was led by his father in the early days more than himself. -
Hi 2ppaamm,
Very well said. :goodpost: :goodpost: :goodpost:
Pls pls, share more your experience. -
[quote]This week, the MOE folks are telling me that he is of a different level, and he will be going to join one level higher for certain subjects as recommended by the school. He will also be doing some advanced subjects at 3-4 years ahead. [/quote]
Hey 2ppaamm. I'm glad things are working out. I hope your ds will enjoy this new path given to him. -
ks2me:
How true, whenever I think of this genius, I feel so sad for him. Imagine if he had a chance to develop and find his own path. His talent would have gotten him just as far, if not further. His father basically destroyed him, to a large extent. From all the press, you could tell he never forgave his father. And, we all know the father was doing for 2 motives: His own reputation and ego, and definitely to help maximize MJ's talents.Everyone well-said!!!! :salute:
Case in point, Michael Jackson, he was very gifted in music and performance, born natural indeed but he lacked the lifeskills to see him through all the crisis he faced. And his life was led by his father in the early days more than himself.
Nevertheless, sad ending. -
smurf:
Thank you leh... I just share my own experience and views, which may not necessarily be an expert's. Hope to give a different point of view.Hi 2ppaamm,
Very well said. :goodpost: :goodpost: :goodpost:
Pls pls, share more your experience. -
EN:
[quote]This week, the MOE folks are telling me that he is of a different level, and he will be going to join one level higher for certain subjects as recommended by the school. He will also be doing some advanced subjects at 3-4 years ahead.
Hey 2ppaamm. I'm glad things are working out. I hope your ds will enjoy this new path given to him. :D[/quote]Thanks EN, again, a new beginning. Yep, we all do hope tomorrow gets better. One baby step a day. Each day, there is a new revelation for each child, and as a parent, we learn something new about child every single day.
This is more exciting than a roller coaster ride, don't you think?
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