A Few Thoughts on Providing Guidance to Gifted Young Children
A Few Thoughts on Providing Guidance to Gifted Young Children
An Atypical Challenge
Giftedness is, at its very core, a neurological difference. Unlike height or weight, there is no easy way to measure humans’ “brain difference” at the neurological level. The presence of giftedness influences how a child interacts with the world, often leading to noticeable differences in cognitive abilities and behavior—such as exceptional memory, advanced language skills, heightened sensitivity, or emotional intensity. Due to the variability in its outward manifestations, giftedness may be easily recognized in some young children, while in others, misinterpreted as merely a personality trait.
The population of gifted individuals is estimated to be around 2-5%. This figure is based on the IQ score of 130, which is often used as a benchmark reference in identifying giftedness.
Guiding gifted children can be challenging, particularly when parents or teachers may not share similar abilities or experiences.
Out of the many teachers and professors that I have met throughout my life, there were only two who truly grasped the full extent of my giftedness and were able to offer me adequate guidance. And my gifted daughter, now 13, has yet to meet one.
I'm personally not very fond of the term “gifted.” I find it vague, and that it can be interpreted in various ways. I would prefer a new term that emphasizes the underlying neurological differences of gifted individuals. However, as of today “gifted” remains the commonly accepted term. For example, there's a school near my home called “Gifted Academy”.
In the US, the Department of Education is the major funding agency for gifted education; its Javits Program is the only federal program specifically focused on research, development, and implementation of innovative methods to enhance gifted education. Its annual appropriation is just $13-16 million—a small sum compared to billion-dollar funding for basic science research!
One of the major goals of the publication Math Gluon is to provide useful resources and promote attention to the unique needs of gifted children. In the future, more related articles will be posted.
For now, here is a list of useful online materials for those who are interested:
National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC): Offers resources, advocacy information, and educational tools for parents and teachers.
Hoagies' Gifted Education Page: A comprehensive resource for parents, teachers, and gifted children, with articles, books, and support groups.
Davidson Institute: Provides support and resources for gifted youth, including educational programs and online resources.
Gifted Child Society: Offers resources, programs, and support for families of gifted children.
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