The Ideal Learning Environment for Young Gifted Kids

E-gifted participated in a twitter discussion titled, "Manifestations of Giftedness in Young Children" on Friday June 14th, 2013. This twitter discussion is held every Friday and more often in the summer.  See a link to GTChat Powered by Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented.

Since E-gifted has launched the first online enrichment classes for 4 - 6 year old based in gifted teaching strategies, we knew we needed to join the discussion!  Excellent points were made by all. We heard about observations from mothers. We all seemed to agree the earlier parents and programs can identify gifted students, the better. We talked about why some schools do not identify young students and what the ramifications might be. We think the most important discussions encompassed the needs of our young gifted students and what an ideal learning environment would look like for these unique individuals.

Some of the qualities twitter participants outlined as signs your child is gifted, include:

• Alertness, staring at adults
• Creativity
• Constant need for stimulation (or even by contrast need for alone-time)
• Fast thinking
• Highly developed sense of "justice" and "fairness"
• Learn to read early
• Advanced play patterns
• Great sense of humor
• Intensity
• Very curious
• Sensitive
• Not sleeping
• Active observation
• Responsiveness that indicates true understanding

Catherine Alvarez posted a link to some very interesting research on early gifted milestones: http://www.talentigniter.com/ruf-estimates.  E-gifted agrees with many of Dr. Ruf's observations, but we want to assure parents that every student is different, and depending on learning style and how students think, they may not exhibit these characteristics.  The chart below is taken from Dr. Ruf's website, please see website for descriptions of each level.  

Now that we know some of the signs of gifted students at a young age, what do they need to flourish, reach their full potential, and be successful in whatever way they define?

We read an article from the Department of Education in Australia outlining what young gifted scholars need in a learning environment. We feel this list aligns with E-gifted recommendations to parents of young gifted students.  The Department of Ed suggestions are in red and E-gifted additions are in blue.

An Ideal Learning Environment for a Young Gifted Student would include:

• fast-paced learning
• engaging teaching strategies
• flexible classroom organization
• challenging learning experiences which are in- depth, open-ended and extend thinking
• provision of a range of experiences, resources and materials to extend children's
• knowledge and provide motivation
• a stimulating and interactive environment that is relevant and meaningful to the child's
• life experiences, learning style and advanced level of development
• the opportunity to develop independent learning skills
• a recognition and development of individual potential.
• Open-ended questioning, giving an opportunity for creative thinking
• Lessons that make cross-disciplinary connections
• Exposure to big ideas and concepts like, "Change can be Positive and Negative" or "There are Systems within Systems"
• Opportunities to dig deep
• Planned meetings with intellectual peers (may be chronologically older)

Not only did E-gifted enjoy the twitter chat on Friday with educators, mothers, fathers, advocates, and teachers, we also found most points and resources extremely valuable. We know that having a gifted child is not the easiest at times, especially when you are unclear whether or not your pre-schooler is gifted in the first place.  Then, once you have figured out your child has a gift, how can the environment and the adults around the child, help meet their needs and provide the best learning environment. We hope this blog entry was helpful and we encourage you to connect with E-gifted! We offer many enrichment classes for 4 year olds online!  

Please comment below!

Resources

GTChat Powered by Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented: https://www.facebook.com/gtchatmod

Dr. Ruf's website: http://www.talentigniter.com/ruf-estimates

Department of Education in Australia, 2010 http://gtideas.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/etagsearlychildhood.pdf