Any parents of gifted children here ?
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breguet:
Hurrah to that, Zack and CKS! Particularly, I like the last para of CKS' post.
I think most of you will agree - the most critical part about being a parent is to nurture the whole child, not just his/her special talents. What use are \"special talents\" if the child doesn't have integrity or cannot relate to the world? These issues are all the same regardless of whether the child has done well on some IQ test (lol!) or not.
Having said all that, there are quirks of some g (I dislike the word, actually. So elitist!) children for whom parents need help from other people who have btdt. Personally, I feel a bit pai seh to write because it can be seen as bragging. Of course I love the holy-guacamole-moments when he does some mental somersault. But it's the issues that go along with it (aptly called co-morbidities) that leave me speechless because my 5 yrs of parenthood hasn't equipped me to handle them. You can hear from the tone of some of us parents that we need advise and sympathy rather than congratulations
!!!
I do draw from CKS' very down to earth advice to stay steady though. For children, EVERYTHING is a phase and will pass!
The word \"gifted\" has become elitist, simply because the education system in Singapore made it like that.
I do not think that IQ test is a good way of judging whether a child is gifted or not. \"High IQ score\" does not equal \"gifted\".
I do not agree to view it as a phase and let it pass. I read that children learn best from 0 - 5 years old. This is the best age to teach the child languages, not only speaking, but also the ability to read. Once they are older, they will have so much more distractions, and will not be so motivated to learn. -
The following article was published in the Straits Times yesterday. I was very happy to read it. I plan to send my girl to West Grove. Personally I think that their model is a better than the GEP programme.
Chance for bright pupils to stretch abilities
Neighbourhood primary schools run schemes to challenge high-ability kids who are not in GEP
By Jane Ng
HIGH-ABILITY primary school pupils who are not in the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) are getting their minds stretched in new programmes in their schools.
These programmes range from classes in literature and the arts to mathematical IQ games and competitions.
Five schools interviewed said such programmes are being run because they believe that, after the GEP absorbs the top 1 per cent of pupils from each cohort following their Primary 3 year, the next 'tier' of students should also be given more challenges to take them as far as they can go in their areas of strength.
Schools that have started such extra programmes include Rulang, Canberra and Princess Elizabeth Primary.
But some schools do not wait till Primary 4 to start these programmes. One of them identifies such high-ability pupils as early as at the end of Primary 1, two years ahead of the GEP.
At Jurong Primary, the top three classes in each level from Primary 2 to 5 are put through a more challenging curriculum which includes elements of the GEP, such as doing a project in an area of interest to hone the pupil's research and critical-thinking skills.
The neighbourhood school, which started the programme last year, targets the top 20 per cent of each cohort. It wants to 'develop passionate learners and global citizens' and inspire its pupils 'to take ownership of their learning', said vice-principal Jennifer Pang.
Jurong Primary's programmes start at Primary 2, she said, because 'the earlier they are exposed to more challenging work, the better they're developed'.
Lessons for pupils on the programme are taught at a faster clip, since they can grasp concepts more quickly. They are also fed more concepts and cover topics in greater depth and breadth.
To prepare themselves to run the programme, the school's teachers sat in on lessons in a GEP class at Nanyang Primary for an idea of how lessons are run there.
Whether in English, mathematics or science, the pupils are stretched: For instance, the Primary 2s learn the play, The Little Red Hen, the Primary 4s do Charlotte's Web and take part in Sudoku competitions, while the Primary 5s do a mini project.
These pupils are also given more opportunities for experiential learning and to conduct experiments.
During a mathematics lesson on ratios, for instance, they could be mixing batches of cordial with different quantities of water to find out which gives the 'perfect' taste. In other classes, they may compose poems or design comic strips.
Mrs Pang added that National Education is also a key part of the curriculum, to prepare for the day when these pupils are posted overseas. 'It's important for them to have roots here', she said.
West Grove Primary in Jurong West serves as the enrichment centre for high-ability pupils across the schools in the area.
Once a week, a bus picks pupils up for their maths classes, run by trainers recommended by the Education Ministry's Gifted Education Branch. Through the selection tests for the GEP in Primary 3, the branch identified these pupils as high-ability achievers.
Teaching assistant Saira Begum is mother to Nur Shamemi, 11, who is on West Grove's programme.
The 38-year-old said she was at first concerned that the expanded curriculum would be too much for her child:
'I was worried that she might be too stressed but, after a year, she seems happy and has changed from a reserved girl to one who takes part in story-telling competitions and debates.'
janeng@sph.com.sg -
tamarind:
...I want to clarify that I did not start this thread to suggest a segregation of the \"gifted\" from the \"rest\". In fact, I have written in earlier posts that I do not think that the GEP is a good program. ...
And I think what you have done is to give everyone amazing insight into the real challenges of parenting gifted children - that it is not about parading children in front of the media as super-kids, but really about how to ensure you do the right things (and do not do the wrong things) so that these children can grow up as well adjusted individuals ready to make a contribution to our society.
My concern stems from how the expectations that we place on these children may actually backfire on us if we make them feel that they are special and superior to other children through official classification. I have had relatives who died from cancer, so I'd be amongst those that would kiss the feet of anyone who can defeat such a terrible disease, but it's a big hat for ANYONE to wear. Not only must the person be gifted, he must also understand the pain suffered by cancer victims and their families. The search for the cure for cancer should not be one for bragging rights and commercial gains, but rooted on the burning intrinsic desire of wanting to save humanity from such suffering. That takes compassion, which is a quality I felt is being neglected by authorities in their eagerness to identify and groom gifted children to maximize their potential to \"benefit\" Singapore so as not to \"waste\" their talents. In fact, I feel that most Singaporeans think that compassion is just about giving money to the needy.
So I'm personally grateful that you have started this very useful thread. It has captured some very deep thoughts from lots of people regarding the issue of giftedness and how best to manage it. Giftedness is definitely not a bad word - it is a blessing from God, afterall.
Thank you! -
ChiefKiasu:
ChiefKS, the authorities did no wrong in hothousing these children to the general 'benefit' of Singapore. As told, they are looking for someone who is 'hungry for success'That takes compassion, which is a quality I felt is being neglected by authorities in their eagerness to identify and groom gifted children to maximize their potential to \"benefit\" Singapore so as not to \"waste\" their talents. In fact, I feel that most Singaporeans think that compassion is just about giving money to the needy.
. Teaching of compassion lies with the parents. If not, the next thing we know is the compulsion of volunteer work in the curriculum for the sake of cultivating compassionate future leaders.
I once read from the news about a promising young student who did volunteer work with no expectations of any returns in the means of aggregate incentives in CCA points/psle/o-levels (whichever), but I can't help thinking if she is going to use that in her scholarship application or future job application as a leverage against others. It is precisely those who shun the media coverage on their contribution to the less fortunate that truly are the heroes in our society.
Oh...i'm off topic again. :oops: -
tamarind:
Tamarind,
The word \"gifted\" has become elitist, simply because the education system in Singapore made it like that.
I do not think that IQ test is a good way of judging whether a child is gifted or not. \"High IQ score\" does not equal \"gifted\".
1. Giftedness is not something that began in Singapore. Most people in the international community want to celebrate and deal with the differences, but unfortunately, the term seems to imply a gift that some have but others are not privy to. It makes people want to compensate by saying all children are gifted. To these people, I'd like to hand over my problems! Personally, I feel a bit uneasy, but there is no alternative.
2. At present, there is no other way of testing for giftedness except through an IQ test, and even then, it is a narrow test that focuses on more academically inclined skills.tamarind:
3. And of course, I do not mean that giftedness is a phase that will pass. Not even at 5! I mean that the issues arising from giftedness will pass, although new ones will keep cropping up. This will require time and maturity on the child's part to resolve. The reality is, these issues are probably not different from a lot of parenting issues, but they sometimes happen sooner or are more intense (I am guessing - or, the parent, ie me, is more inept. Not out of the question!). Which is why parenting forums are so useful, as a lot of the good folks here have pointed out.I do not agree to view it as a phase and let it pass. I read that children learn best from 0 - 5 years old. This is the best age to teach the child languages, not only speaking, but also the ability to read. Once they are older, they will have so much more distractions, and will not be so motivated to learn.
Your statement implies that there is a corrrelation between teaching and giftedness. Frankly, I can't see this at all. -
1. It is true that \"giftedness\" did not begin in Singapore. What I mean is that the education system in Singapore made it elitist, by separating \"gifted\" kids from others. I am not sure which other country in the world classifies gifted kids nationwide, in public schools.
2. IQ test
Please read this webpage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted
The formal identification of giftedness first emerged as an important issue for schools, as the instruction of gifted students often presents special challenges. During the 20th century, gifted children were often classified via IQ tests, however, recent developments in theories of intelligence have raised serious questions regarding the appropriate uses and limits of such testing. Many schools in North America and Europe have attempted to identify students who are not challenged by standard school curricula and offer additional or specialized education for them in the hope of nurturing their talents.
3. If a highly gifted child is never taught to read, never have the chance to go to school, do you think he can achieve anything ? A gifted child must be taught in a way that is suitable to him. -
ChiefKiasu:
My auntie died of ovarian cancer. Last year my father had a cancerous tumor in his stomach. He underwent a operation to remove the tumor, which involved removing a section of his stomach. He completely recovered. I really respect the surgeon who operated on him in SGH. He works really hard to save lives.tamarind:
...I want to clarify that I did not start this thread to suggest a segregation of the \"gifted\" from the \"rest\". In fact, I have written in earlier posts that I do not think that the GEP is a good program. ...
And I think what you have done is to give everyone amazing insight into the real challenges of parenting gifted children - that it is not about parading children in front of the media as super-kids, but really about how to ensure you do the right things (and do not do the wrong things) so that these children can grow up as well adjusted individuals ready to make a contribution to our society.
My concern stems from how the expectations that we place on these children may actually backfire on us if we make them feel that they are special and superior to other children through official classification. I have had relatives who died from cancer, so I'd be amongst those that would kiss the feet of anyone who can defeat such a terrible disease, but it's a big hat for ANYONE to wear. Not only must the person be gifted, he must also understand the pain suffered by cancer victims and their families. The search for the cure for cancer should not be one for bragging rights and commercial gains, but rooted on the burning intrinsic desire of wanting to save humanity from such suffering. That takes compassion, which is a quality I felt is being neglected by authorities in their eagerness to identify and groom gifted children to maximize their potential to \"benefit\" Singapore so as not to \"waste\" their talents. In fact, I feel that most Singaporeans think that compassion is just about giving money to the needy.
So I'm personally grateful that you have started this very useful thread. It has captured some very deep thoughts from lots of people regarding the issue of giftedness and how best to manage it. Giftedness is definitely not a bad word - it is a blessing from God, afterall.
Thank you!
After my auntie died, her daughter emailed me and wrote that cancer seems to run in the family. I am going to tests every year now.
I tried to explain to my daughter about my father's illness, and the genius and compassion of the surgeon who operated on him. Hopefully she will understand.
My girl told me that her teacher always say that she is clever. One day, her teacher said \"Wow you are so clever, you don't need to come to school\". I was unhappy with that comment, I did not think that it was appropriate. Fortunately my girl told me she knew very well that the teacher was only joking. I always tell my girl that there are many other kids who are more clever than her. 一山还有一山高. It is not right to make any gifted or bright kid feel superior. -
1. And in that regard, the problems we in Singapore have with gifted elitism are not limited to Singapore. It really arises from the term \"gifted\", implying that there the rest of us are therefore \"ungifted\". The most neutral term I have seen in trying to address this is \"neuro-typical\" vs \"gifted\" rather than \"ungifted\" vs \"gifted\". But obviously, even the international gifted community feels badly enough about this exclusionist implication to want to come up with a neutral term.
2. I did read it. There may be \"serious questions [raised] regarding the uses and limits of such testing\", (I did say the tests are narrowly focused, no?) but there is no choice. This is the only means available for identification of gifted individuals that will give you a standardized, objective and numerical score that can be compared across the population base and over time.
The article you pointed out says:
\"Many schools use a variety of measures of students' capability and potential when identifying gifted children. These may include portfolios of student work, classroom observations, achievement measures, and intelligence scores .... no single measure can be used in isolation to accurately identify a gifted child.\"
But they then go on to devote the rest of the section on IQ test scores and standard deviations, for the same reasons that I highlighted.
You don't have to take my word for it and you can certainly differ from the thinking out there. But there are good reasons why the MOE takes the scores seriously, beyond school results, student portfolios and observation.
3. I think you mistake the term giftedness for talent development. Teaching is akin to talent development, which we must do for the population at large. We owe it to society to develop every child according to his or her talent, including gifted children. -
Peronally, I think special programs like GEP is necssary ..just like sports school, La Selle etc We need an avenue and a choice for kids with special abilities in certain areas to develop to their fullest.
This controversy is aggravated when you have GEP+Kiasu-ism together. Practically every parents want their kids to excel, to be somehow better than themselves (yes, I am guilty of that too). I guess it's a homo sapien instinct to evolve...but carried to the extreme in our Singaporean context, we are now also hearing that we need to be ahead of the pack to survive ..because we do not have natural resources. In the pursue of excellence and survival, compassion and grace have unfortunately taken a backseat.
So I would like to exhort all KSPs not to debate the definition of Giftedness anymore. What is more important is to consider if we had done the right things for our children. Contrary to what the name of this webby insinuate, I have become more enlightened and less KS since I started coming to this forum. Seriously, this KSP.com label doesnt do us justice.
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heutistmeintag:
Peronally, I think special programs like GEP is necssary ..just like sports school, La Selle etc We need an avenue and a choice for kids with special abilities in certain areas to develop to their fullest.
This controversy is aggravated when you have GEP+Kiasu-ism together. Practically every parents want their kids to excel, to be somehow better than themselves (yes, I am guilty of that too). I guess it's a homo sapien instinct to evolve...but carried to the extreme in our Singaporean context, we are now also hearing that we need to be ahead of the pack to survive ..because we do not have natural resources. In the pursue of excellence and survival, compassion and grace have unfortunately taken a backseat.
So I would like to exhort all KSPs not to debate the definition of Giftedness anymore. What is more important is to consider if we had done the right things for our children. Contrary to what the name of this webby insinuate, I have become more enlightened and less KS since I started coming to this forum. Seriously, this KSP.com label doesnt do us justice.
Ya huh. The discussion is losing it's meaning. I did have fun though! :lol:
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