Home Educating Gifted Children Susan Wight Jo Freitag & By

We both have practical experience in home educating gifted children but have used very different approaches whilst maintaining a respect for each other’s approach. This gives us a variety of combined experience. We aren’t experts on home educating gifted children. YOU are the expert on YOUR children....and so are they.

Some basics about Giftedness

Level

The Columbus Group Definition of Giftedness Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counselling in order for them to develop optimally. (The Columbus Group, 1991). The Columbus Group Definition of Giftedness Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counselling in order for them to develop optimally. (The Columbus Group, 1991). The Columbus Group Definition of Giftedness Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counselling in order for them to develop optimally. (The Columbus Group, 1991).

A gifted child is, by definition, different to the average child. It is a common myth about gifted children that they will simply do well at school without any assistance. Many actually have problems at school - both academically and socially.

Asynchronous development means a child may: Be physically six years old Be capable of maths at a twelve-year-old level Have the reading age of a nine-year-old

This asynchrony can create difficulties if a child’s motor skills are several years behind their cognitive skills. The six-year old gifted child may therefore be out of place academically in a grade one class but, if shifted to a higher grade, may be way out of his depth physically. For example his handwriting may be totally inadequate to keep up with the work. He can’t turn the pages Our little guy? He can read…but = Frustration

Pace 7rfm 5rfm 3rfm 1rfm Repetitions for mastery

GAGNE Model of Factors which Influence the Development of Innate Giftedness into Fully Realised Talent emphasises the importance of environmental factors Temperament/ Personality (Adaptability, attitudes, competitiveness, independence, self- esteem, values etc.) Giftedness Aptitude domains INTELLECTUAL Reasoning (eg. visual, spatial) memory, judgment etc CREATIVE Originality, inventiveness, Humour, etc. SOCIOAFFECTIVE Leadership, empathy, self-awareness, etc SENSORIMOTOR Strength, fine motor control, Endurance, flexibility, etc. OTHERS Extrasensory perception, gift of healing etc Motivation INITIATIVE NEEDS, INTERESTS PERSERVERANCE DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS Learning – Training – Practising SURROUNDINGS Home, school, community, etc PERSONS Parents, teachers, mentors, etc. UNDERTAKINGS Activities, courses, programs etc. EVENTS Encounters, awards, accidents, etc. Talents Fields relevant to school-age youth ACADEMICS Language, science etc GAMES OF STRATEGY Chess, puzzles, video, etc. TECHNOLOGY Mechanics, computers, etc ARTS Visual, drama, music, etc. SOCIAL ACTION Tutoring, school, politics, etc BUSINESS Sales, entrepreneurship, etc ATHLETICS & SPORTS INTRAPERSONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CATALYSTS (POSITIVE/NEGATIVE IMPACTS)

Home education can provide a rich environment for nurturing giftedness …and time to smell the roses

For gifted students the great advantage of home education is the flexibility to tailor a program to their abilities and needs without the constraints of curriculum and age boundaries. There is no one right way to home educate gifted children Styles vary.