How to provide challenges for your gifted child
Children can be considered “gifted” based on an overall level of advanced development, or they may have a talent in a very specific area.
Each of us believes our child is the smartest in the world; however, it is important to assess her skills objectively without the interference of our personal feelings. Formalized testing is often the only way to determine if a child truly is intellectually gifted. Tests, such as the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale IV, the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence R, and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children III, are standardized measures administered by a licensed psychologist that provide an IQ (intelligence quotient) score. These tests indicate whether your child is functioning intellectually at a level above her peers. They do not indicate however, if your child is talented in a particular area, such as music. For this, you may have to arrange for a consultation with a music teacher or other qualified person.
If you suspect that your child is gifted, the first area to explore is the level of stimulation she is able to receive in her current environment. Some teachers are very tuned-in to children’s abilities and provide challenges within the classroom setting. Other children are quite content with advanced reading material from the library or participation in extra activities beyond preschool or kindergarten.
If, on the other hand, your child is not stimulated in her current environment, you may wish to pursue a specific program that promotes further skill development
Some school districts have programs for gifted and talented children that start as early as kindergarten. You can contact your school district to find out whether such a program is available and what steps you should take to refer your child. If your district provides a program, they will most likely want to complete an evaluation if one has not already been done.
If your school district does not p kindergarten students and you are interested in providing enrichment program, you may have to pursue something privately. This can range from a private school specifically for gifted students to Saturday or afterschool programs that provide additional challenges. Some of these programs may be through a local university.
Other factor to consider when determining whether your child needs a special program is the degree of contact with her typical peers. This age level is a crucial time for the development of social skills and friendships. Some children who are intellectually gifted may be immature socially. As a parent, it is important to weigh the benefits of intellectual stimulation against the benefits of social development. Depending on the level of your child’s abilities, it may be more beneficial to provide additional stimulation at home or after school while maintaining regular school placement and contact with peers. We all wish our children to be well-rounded individuals. Too much focus on one particular area can disrupt the balance of experiences needed to foster overall development.
