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Putting Gifted Children on the Radar
Gifted children tend to have a raw deal in the UK. There is a lot of support for children with difficulties (quite rightly so) and their parents, but what about those of extraordinary ability?
Gifted children and their families face the same kind of issues that everyone does, but also experience particular challenges in their day to day lives. Achieving well at school is not a sure-thing, even for a child of high ability. The new Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, has drawn attention to the fact that large numbers of children identified as “G & T” do not even achieve five good GCSE grades. Many more who have not been identified are likely to be also underachieving.
Gifted children sometimes endure hyper-sensitivities that make everyday life difficult and that can lead to incorrect diagnoses of disabilities. The asynchronous development, which so often characterizes extreme ability, often leads to social and emotional problems. Families can feel isolation and anxiety, particularly as children who are advanced learners are frequently very demanding and exhausting to be with.
We need to raise awareness of this vital, exuberant, wonderful sector of our society, protecting and nurturing their abilities and creating opportunities for them to learn, socialize and lead fulfilling, happy lives.
As an Educational Consultant, I offer support and training to parents, schools and universities. I can help to provide good quality training for teachers that combines a range of relevant theories with lots of practical applications, hints, tips and resources.
For families, I can help parents and carers to decide if it may be a good idea to evaluate their child’s abilities. If they then go ahead, I can provide assessment tools, the outcomes from which I examine and analyse. According to the outcomes, I will recommend appropriate strategies, resources, games, toys, clubs, activities and support to help maximise the child’s academic progress and intellectual, social and emotional wellbeing. I also endevour to provide sympathy, encouragement, support and motivation for the parents and carers of gifted children, who are often stressed and exhausted.
Gifted Learning 2010
Introductory consultation for Parents
We offer a 15 minute consultation for parents of gifted children. Please complete our quiz and then make an enquiry via our contact form.
COMING SOON! ’Teach Your Child to Read’ – a half day workshop suitable for parents, carers, childminders and nannies. The courses will take place at Stockwood Discovery Centre on the outskirts of Luton. It’s so vital that high ability children learn to read when they are ready, which for some, is before schooling starts. It’s also essential for them to progress at their own pace. The techniques shared in the workshop conform to the strategies used in English classrooms and can be used from a very young age. The workshop will be interactive, fun and will remove the ‘mystery’ of how children learn to read. If you would like to register your interest in attending a half-day workshop, please send me an email on susannah@giftedlearning.co.uk. Fees are likely to be about £35 for the half day, to include resources.
