This is the third and final post in a three-part series for gifted youth that focuses on independent summer enrichment and exploration. Are you plagued by the irony of a creative child bemoaning their complete and utter boredom with summer, or with free time in general? Creativity is not only innate — it can be developed, too. Gifted youth benefit from activities that enhance existing abilities and passions as well as those that develop creative attitudes and skills. … [Read more...] about Independent Summer Enrichment and Exploration: Express Yourself!
Search Results for: summer enrichment
Independent Summer Enrichment and Exploration: On the Go!
This is the second post in a three-part series about independent summer enrichment and exploration for gifted youth. If you’re on the go this summer experiencing new places, your gifted child may jump at the chance to take the experience to a new level. A new project, a different kind of conversation, or a brief activity can spice up the time at or in between events and destinations. Here are some tips and suggestions for fun, educational activities while traveling. … [Read more...] about Independent Summer Enrichment and Exploration: On the Go!
Independent Summer Enrichment and Exploration: Digging In
This is the first post in a series about independent summer enrichment and exploration for gifted youth. Your child may want to know anything and everything about bugs, or Norse gods, or art history. She might even be already well on the way to becoming an amateur expert in a topic. Summer can be a great time to “go deep” — to research, explore, and mine the tunnels of a subject and find some serious treasure. We’ve got some tips and suggestions for hot topics and cool summer research projects … [Read more...] about Independent Summer Enrichment and Exploration: Digging In
Beware the Summer Slide
Beware the summer slide—not the spiraling, thrilling water chute found at your local water park, but the loss of academic skills during the summer months. Math skills often slip the farthest, with students losing an average of 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in computational ability over the summer. In addition, students score lower on standardized tests administered at the end of the summer than at the beginning. How do you prevent these skills from slip-sliding away? While parents may … [Read more...] about Beware the Summer Slide
Spend the Summer Studying? Are you Kidding?
Summer programs for academically gifted students have proliferated in the last decade, largely because efficient and widespread identification services are available through regional talent search programs. Universities and colleges sponsor most summer programs. Given the myriad opportunities, parents may wonder what the benefits of participation in summer programs are and how to select the right one for their child. … [Read more...] about Spend the Summer Studying? Are you Kidding?
Nurturing Verbal Talent
My son always receives A’s on his spelling tests. My daughter loves to write and tell stories. Are these youth verbally gifted? Possibly. Should their parents nurture their potential talent? Absolutely. Experts in gifted education recommend fostering a child’s interests while seeking an identification of ability. … [Read more...] about Nurturing Verbal Talent
The Benefits of The Educational Forum
On February 4, 2017, Duke TIP and Broward County Public Schools will host The Educational Forum at South Plantation High School in Plantation, Florida. The event will include presentations for parents from teachers, researchers, and other education experts on topics like what to consider when deciding whether to enter college early, what innovative educational options are available to you, what academically talented students need, how to handle anxiety, and more. Students will have their … [Read more...] about The Benefits of The Educational Forum
Love the Child, Not the Gift
Why should we help gifted students? What is the impact of the Common Core standards on gifted students? What are the greatest myths about gifted students? What can be considered good advice for parents who have gifted children? I recently had the opportunity to ask these questions to two giants in the field of gifted education, Sidney Moon and Felicia Dixon. Their latest book is the second edition of The Handbook of Secondary Gifted Education which “offers an in-depth, research-based look at … [Read more...] about Love the Child, Not the Gift
Should You Homeschool Your Gifted Child?
Nearly one million school-aged children in the United States are educated primarily at home. Many of them are gifted. Parents who wonder if homeschooling will work for them need to consider the reasons for doing it and how to meet their children’s academic, social, and emotional needs. Reasons for gifted children to learn at home Parents who homeschool cite several reasons: traditional schools fail to meet their children’s needs; state and district budget cuts have reduced or eliminated many … [Read more...] about Should You Homeschool Your Gifted Child?
Growing a Middle Schooler
Imagine the thoughts of fifth-grade students preparing to enter middle school. What sorts of questions are forming in their minds? What fears make their hearts race and palms sweat? Plenty! The student may be asking: What is middle school like? Will I get lost? Will I be challenged? Will classes be fun and interesting? Will I like my teachers? Will they like me? Will I make friends? Why do I need a locker? Will I get trampled when I move through the hallways? What do I wear? What happens if I … [Read more...] about Growing a Middle Schooler