All About GEP

[Bronzy]

mathsparks:

Sure, I'm aware that it could be the parents' genes. But there are a lot more families out there who has only 1 gifted child than there are families with all gifted siblings.

I was rather surprised to find out that there were quite a few families with more than one sibling getting into GEP. Had been under the false impression that there would be a one in a million chance of two kids from the same family getting into GEP!

[Bronzy]

Thanks for sharing 2ppaamm and Congratulations to you and your ds! Your ds is one of the few in GEP who really fall in the categroy of the truly gifted. Esp since he was not groomed in any way.


When my dd qualified for GEP, I had two main worries - the first was whether she would be able to cope with the work and the second whether she would become arrogant and think herself superior to the mainstream students (as I had read happens) and end up being ostracised. My dh and I prepped her on how she was lucky to have made it and should not think herself better that those who didn’t. So far, (only 2 months), she seems quite a normal girl - not too eager to finish her work and preferring to read, laze or watch TV. Mixes well and does not talk down about any of her schoolmates. Always kid with her that she must have got in by accident and she takes it good naturedly.

Feel that the term ‘Gifted’ is not approprate for the GEP as a good number of the kids (mine included) are bright but not what I would term ‘Gifted’ in the way your son and some others may be. Opine that the MOE should change the name (not thought of a good name yet) and reserve the term ‘Gifted’ for the exceptional few. This might remove some of the stigma of being a GEP student.

[KSP]

turquoise:

I don't think TLL has GEP prep classes.

They don't have to name their enrichment class as GEP prep. Their class material is already up to that standard. The rest depend on the student calibre.

[MdmKS]

vlim:

mathsparks:

Actually, MdmKs, I was hinting that perhaps kids who'd attended TLL since P1 have a higher chance of getting into the program.


Sure, I'm aware that it could be the parents' genes. But there are a lot more families out there who has only 1 gifted child than there are families with all gifted siblings.

i agree as my p2 dd just made me vomit blood this afternoon while teaching her how to do maths problem sum using model :stupid:

hi Vlim and mathsparks, the difference for your case is that one is dd and the other is ds. according to statistics boys have higher chance of getting in. You have to factor it in . :politebleah:

[ningy]

my dd1 was selected for GEP; her 2 cousins (not sibblings) were also GEPers. so keep my fingers crossed, my dd2 is now in P1 and we are all wondering if she will follow the "tradition". guess she’ll feel the stress when her turn comes. but my dh not too optimistic leh, this dd2 is carefree and careless with a lazy attitude.

[Bronzy]

ningy:

my dd1 was selected for GEP; her 2 cousins (not sibblings) were also GEPers. so keep my fingers crossed, my dd2 is now in P1 and we are all wondering if she will follow the \"tradition\". guess she'll feel the stress when her turn comes. but my dh not too optimistic leh, this dd2 is carefree and careless with a lazy attitude.

My dd was, and still is, rather carefree and careless and has a tendency to be lazy! So you never know!

[KSmom8]

Bronzy:

When my dd qualified for GEP, I had two main worries - the first was whether she would be able to cope with the work and the second whether she would become arrogant and think herself superior to the mainstream students (as I had read happens) and end up being ostracised.


Feel that the term 'Gifted' is not approprate for the GEP as a good number of the kids (mine included) are bright but not what I would term 'Gifted' in the way your son and some others may be. Opine that the MOE should change the name (not thought of a good name yet) and reserve the term 'Gifted' for the exceptional few. This might remove some of the stigma of being a GEP student.

WOW!!! Thanks for sharing. I have the same worries and view. I consider my son to be academically inclined but would never use the term 'gifted' on him. I worry that the label 'GEP' and the expectations that go with it might be too heavy a burden.

Eventhough, he was within the top 10 in his standard from primary 1 to 3... To me, he is a bright and conscientious child. Didn't send him for any GEP preparatory classes (don't believe in that) and was shocked when he got in.

I counsel him often not to consider himself above 'mainstream' (don't like this term too!) students and am trying to teach him social skills, empathy and compassion.

I am still worried about his ability to cope with the workload. My heart goes out to him when he returns from school at 3-4pm (3 times a week) and then does his homework till dinnertime and sometimes till bedtime! He used to take so little time to do his homework ... in fact, he'd finish most of it in school! About 2 weeks ago, he said he was stressed and we spoke about perfectionism, expectations and time management. I really thought then that GEP might not be for him (eventhough I thought he was faring okay with the curriculum) and he would be happier in 'mainstream'. Fortunately, the next week, his school asked for feedback from the pupils on whether they felt there was too much homework. All his classmates except for one (ironically the one that does not hand in the homework on time) complained about far too much homework. It seemed that the amount of homework reduced consequently. Yesterday, he beamed when I asked about homework and said that there was only one question left to do. Though he spent most of the day studying for his Chinese spelling test (no spelling list) and preparing for his Chinese test both this week, he was happier.

Am still keeping all my fingers (and toes) crossed that the decision to take up the GEP challenge is a good one for him.

[Zann]

KSP:

turquoise:

I don't think TLL has GEP prep classes.

They don't have to name their enrichment class as GEP prep. Their class material is already up to that standard. The rest depend on the student calibre.

Good English will benefit them in the screening test since English is a component but not all who are good in English get thru the second round of the selection test. If you send your child for GEP screening preparation and he/she get in afterthat, you will never know if he/she is really gifted and you might have to worry if he/she can cope.

[Neko]

Bronzy:

When my dd qualified for GEP, I had two main worries - the first was whether she would be able to cope with the work and the second whether she would become arrogant and think herself superior to the mainstream students (as I had read happens) and end up being ostracised. My dh and I prepped her on how she was lucky to have made it and should not think herself better that those who didn't. So far, (only 2 months), she seems quite a normal girl - not too eager to finish her work and preferring to read, laze or watch TV. Mixes well and does not talk down about any of her schoolmates. Always kid with her that she must have got in by accident and she takes it good naturedly.

your dd sounds exactly like mine ! my dd even mused that she's prob the 566th one who got into GEP.

I sometimes wonder what exactly dd is gifted in. She topped the std in her former school but that does not make her 'gifted' rite ? I read and hear about kids who are very good in Art/Music/Maths/Sports ... but my dd is not good in any of these. There isn't anythg particularly outstanding abt her.

What exactly does 'gifted' mean ? Prodigy ? high abiity learner ? hmm .. 'gifted' sounds a little elitist ...

still, I must acknowledge the GE prog is really interesting. so far dd is very happy in her new school (esp with the canteen food!) and seems to be coping. Not much hw and she has a lot of time to play and laze around.

[KSP]

Zann:

Good English will benefit them in the screening test since English is a component but not all who are good in English get thru the second round of the selection test. If you send your child for GEP screening preparation and he/she get in afterthat, you will never know if he/she is really gifted and you might have to worry if he/she can cope.

I'm thinking along the line of just give my child some help. If my child gets in it's good but if didn't it's also fine with me. At least we know we have put in some effort and try. And I don't believe all in GEP are gifted. The word \"gifted\" is just a name for the programme like many enrichment centers also use fanciful names for their classes too. To me it is just another sports or games and put in the best effort to get the best result. If can win the sports competition its good. If didn't win, life still goes on. Same mentality here for GEP.