Any parents of gifted children here ?

[getz]

Hi, I'm new to this forum, and am following this thread with interest. My eldest son was from the GEP; he's now in the IB programme in Sec 3. We never had any enrichment or tuition for him. In fact, he was never ever near the top of his class in Primary 1 to 3 (nor was he in the top class). When he got into the GEP, his principal commented that he was a 'late bloomer'. What we really did for him was to develop a love for reading from young, from there, he was on his own, picking up any reading materials that interest him. I was a teacher before, and I realised that the fastest way to kill any child's interest is to do 'boring' assessment book worksheets. So I guess our style was more ecclectic. Everything was done for fun, and I made sure he had friends to play with by organising parties and outings. Results were not important as long as he pass his exams. He is just a happy child - no emotional issues. He didn't complain that school was boring and seemed to enjoy going to class. Later, when he was in the GEP, I met many of his friends and their parents, and the background is no different. None of them has gone through enrichment programmes and tuition, and most of them have one thing in common, they love to read!


So I guess reading is one of the best way of acquiring knowledge and information.

[ChiefKiasu]

getz:

... My eldest so was from the GEP; he's now in the IB programme in Sec 3. We never has any enrichment or tuition for him. In fact, he was never ever near the top of his class in Primary 1 to 3 (nor was he in the top class). When he got into the GEP, his principal commented that he was a 'late bloomer'. What we really did for him was to develop a love for reading from young, from there, he was on his own, picking up any reading materials that interest him...

Hi getz, thanks for your note. It's really encouraging to hear about how gifted children may not really require that much hand holding, other than to feed their voracious need for knowledge.

[tamarind]

getz:

So I guess reading is one of the best way of acquiring knowledge and information.

I totally agree

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

Hi Getz. I know some parents who have gifted kids & yes, they don't have enrichment nor tuition.


Enrichment is not suitable as they follow a fix set of curriculum where else gifted kids have varied interest & their interest change as soon as their voracious appetite for a certain information are filled.

Tuition is a no no too. They are able to grasp the concept quickly so there is no need for another round of teaching.

I'm not really a hands on mother. My kids are the pushing factor on what they would like to do. They nag at me for months before I relent & bring them to the library & make library card for each of them. That was years ago & that was the start. The word bank was my idea & really meant for my daughter. As normal it takes months for it to fly off & my son is the one who push me to get it started. There are some documentaries DVDs that I bought which are collecting dust on the shelf. My son wants to watch it but I have not had the time to sit with him for each of those he is interested. Well....now the science kits :shock: All I can say is that, I try my best to meet his needs even though I move ever so slowly.

Besides reading to acquire knowledge, a gifted kid might be good at other activities too. So, it is good for parents to follow through their kids interest and expose them to new ideas & experiences which Tamarind has been diligently doing.

Getz wrote [quote]He is just a happy child - no emotional issues. He didn't complain that school was boring and seemed to enjoy going to class.[/quote]That is good to know that your son has no major issues in school. Mine, there are nitty gritty things that bother me but I wil try to smoothen the issues by explaining or render a helping hand. Recently he was reprimanded for reading in class. His excuse was, he was waiting for the teacher to hand out the homework. Another occassion, a boy wanted to rough it out with him. He don't understand that it is natural for boys to play rough & he feels miserable.

[jedamum]

ChiefKiasu:

It's really encouraging to hear about how gifted children may not really require that much hand holding, other than to feed their voracious need for knowledge.

Ya, I agree that gifted children do not need tuition and such. The issue with a lot of children going for tuition and enrichment (handholding as you may call it) is cos most of them are regular kids who are not gifted. And for this brunch of kids, to do well, the only thing is hardwork.
Oops...i'm in the wrong thread.... :oops:

[getz]

Hi EN,


My son was also scolded, and teacher pulled his collar and dragged him to me after school - for reading during chinese class after he completed his work; that was when he was in P1. But, well, he’s got to learn some socially appropriate skills… not to offend teachers…haha! They all have to learn survival skills, gifted or not.

[tamarind]

getz,

That is terrible. May I know is that one of the top schools (those with GEP), or is it a neighbourhood school ?

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

Hi Getz


Yes, our kids learn after a while what the appropriate behaviour is & what is not. Eg drinking in class, is not allowed. He told me as soon as the teacher turns toward the blackboard, he gulps the drink asap. :lol:

Hello Tamarind & All Parents

If you happen to have children who are developing faster than kids of the same age, will you inform the teacher of your kids development?

[getz]

Not a neightbourhood school, but one of the aided ones... not GEP. That he only got a transfer in P4.


Will I tell teachers if my child is exceptional...hmm no! I think teachers may start to pick on him or may think I'm a parent who thinks too highly of my child etc. Teachers are not the most understanding lot (too much work) .. I was a teacher before, once upon a time! And I know some who would pick on kids. (especially when they feel parents are interfering). so I don't take chances unless I know the teacher well.

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

Hi Getz


I agree with your comment.