Options for Your Gifted Child

If you suspect that your child is gifted, there are many options available to you to ensure that he or she gets the challenging and supportive environment needed to thrive. There are many signs that your child is gifted, and one of the best ways to confirm your suspicions is to have your child take a test. Here are some signs to look for in a gifted child:

·         Excellent visual perception: observant and above-average understanding of spatial relations

·         Advanced academic performance: ability to quickly memorize and excels in a particular area of study

·         Creative thinking: ability to think independently and originally

·         Leadership: excels in leadership positions among peers

These characteristics are not conclusive, however, and it is important for your child to take an intelligence quotient (IQ) or cognitive test.

A Supportive Environment

If you have decided to enroll your child into a gifted and talented education program, you can rest assured that his or her needs can be met and fully supported. These schools are familiar with the learning styles of gifted children and design the curricula accordingly. Perhaps the greatest benefit of enrolling a child into a gifted program is the ability to be surrounded by like-minded peers who share a passion for learning and creativity. These children will be supported by specialized faculty who will motivate and challenge the children to realize their full potential 

Additional Benefits

The benefits of sending a gifted child to a specialized program are numerous. Whereas your child may have felt bored in the traditional classroom, gifted and talented education programs aim to provide interactive and inquiry-based learning. Therefore your child can be lead by his or her interests and passions and supported by highly-trained teachers. The low student-teacher ratio also ensures that your child receives the attention to encourage rapid development. While gifted children may want to only study one particular subject, the nature of the gifted program will ensure that the a well-rounded curricula is experienced.

Choosing the Right Education Path for Your Gifted Child

Every parent rightly believes that their children are exceptional. When you find yourself raising a kid who needs advanced educational resources, you can see that the situation is equally challenging and exciting. You want the best for you young ones, so these tips can help you select the best route.

Consider Long Term

Most special education programs are aimed for a specific age group. The necessity of doing this is obvious, but you need to consider what schools your child may attend in the future and what options will be available. You may only need supplemental programs for a part of their education, or you could find yourself surrounded by schools that are insufficient until college. This should be one of your major thoughts when you investigate additional resources.

Look at Areas of Focus

As you well know, every kid is unique with needs to match. Some gifted learners excel in particular areas, such as critical thinking, math or language. Others need more challenge across the board. When you look at curricula, focus on the subjects that your child needs the most. If you are unsure, keep in mind that the topics they like the most are often the ones that come most naturally.

Accreditation

The last thing you want to do is enroll your child in a program that is a waste of their time. Always check the credentials of an educator or institution before making a financial commitment. Some programs can provide certified classes that will help your child with college applications or grant them official skills. Qualified instructors should also be licensed for your state, and in many cases they should have a specialty degree to match.

You invest seriously in the future of your children. Keeping the important factors in mind should be enough for you to have a productive conversation with an expert who can help you plan properly.