The path to giftedness
May 5, 2002 | 12:00am
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word "gifted" as 1) having great natural ability; and 2) revealing a special gift. But let’s not be misled by definitions. The term gifted implies much more than that.
Giftedness is more than just an IQ test score. It is important to recognize that each individual has talents and abilities that he can use to make him extraordinary and way ahead of others. Many gifted individuals did not get the magic number in their IQ tests. But they had the desire and perseverance to develop and apply their talents and make positive life choices. That’s why it is important to recognize a gifted person’s traits while he or she is still a child.
So how do you spot gifted children?
They ask a lot of questions because they want to know everything, from Magellan to Neptune. They love books and have a very creative imagination. And sometimes a few of them can be found staring at a blank wall when they are on a journey of self-discovery. They have outstanding abilities and are capable of high performance. Which means they have any of the following: general intellectual ability, a specific academic aptitude, leadership ability, ability in the visual and performing arts, creative thinking or athletic activity. Most gifted children have a higher rate of concentration and memory capacity. They may be tomorrow’s Mozart, Michael Jordan, Albert Einstein, Jose Rizal or they may be simply tomorrow’s ingenious businessmen that find the solutions to problems. After knowing these traits, one would probably conclude that gifted children are always at the top of their class and are model students. In some cases, this could be the farthest from the truth.
Gifted children can be introverts, misunderstood by their parents, teachers, and peers, with their undiscovered exceptional ability leading to a dead end. Bored and unchallenged at a traditional school, they may exhibit behavioral problems and become underachievers. An example of this was Sir Winston Churchill, who failed sixth grade and finished last in his class. They also may choose not to go to school altogether. Sir Isaac Newton dropped out of grammar school when he was 14 and returned at 19. Reason for this is that the traditional school format, which has an average of 30 students per class, may find it hard to cater to the gifted child’s individualized needs. So, it is best to send them to a school that will help develop their talents and abilities.
Headway School for Giftedness is one such school. It caters to advanced learners and gifted children from pre-school to grade 6. It assesses each child and provides an environment with many opportunities that will enhance children’s potential abilities. Headway’s program embraces learning opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom. The program is individualized, flexible, and focuses on the unique learning abilities of the students.
Parents are excellent identifiers of giftedness in their children: 84 percent of the children whose parents say that they fit some of the following characteristics (like reasoning, rapid learning, extensive vocabulary and excellent memory) has at least 120 IQ. Over 95 percent show giftedness in at least one area but are asynchronous in their development.
So, if you feel that your child is an advanced learner, is potentially gifted, and needs a non-traditional, individualized way of learning, enroll him or her at Headway School for Giftedness at 130-B Matahimik St., UP Village, Diliman Q.C. You can call them at 925-38-90 or 921-76-12. Enrollment is ongoing for pre-school to Grade VI.
Giftedness is more than just an IQ test score. It is important to recognize that each individual has talents and abilities that he can use to make him extraordinary and way ahead of others. Many gifted individuals did not get the magic number in their IQ tests. But they had the desire and perseverance to develop and apply their talents and make positive life choices. That’s why it is important to recognize a gifted person’s traits while he or she is still a child.
So how do you spot gifted children?
They ask a lot of questions because they want to know everything, from Magellan to Neptune. They love books and have a very creative imagination. And sometimes a few of them can be found staring at a blank wall when they are on a journey of self-discovery. They have outstanding abilities and are capable of high performance. Which means they have any of the following: general intellectual ability, a specific academic aptitude, leadership ability, ability in the visual and performing arts, creative thinking or athletic activity. Most gifted children have a higher rate of concentration and memory capacity. They may be tomorrow’s Mozart, Michael Jordan, Albert Einstein, Jose Rizal or they may be simply tomorrow’s ingenious businessmen that find the solutions to problems. After knowing these traits, one would probably conclude that gifted children are always at the top of their class and are model students. In some cases, this could be the farthest from the truth.
Gifted children can be introverts, misunderstood by their parents, teachers, and peers, with their undiscovered exceptional ability leading to a dead end. Bored and unchallenged at a traditional school, they may exhibit behavioral problems and become underachievers. An example of this was Sir Winston Churchill, who failed sixth grade and finished last in his class. They also may choose not to go to school altogether. Sir Isaac Newton dropped out of grammar school when he was 14 and returned at 19. Reason for this is that the traditional school format, which has an average of 30 students per class, may find it hard to cater to the gifted child’s individualized needs. So, it is best to send them to a school that will help develop their talents and abilities.
Headway School for Giftedness is one such school. It caters to advanced learners and gifted children from pre-school to grade 6. It assesses each child and provides an environment with many opportunities that will enhance children’s potential abilities. Headway’s program embraces learning opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom. The program is individualized, flexible, and focuses on the unique learning abilities of the students.
Parents are excellent identifiers of giftedness in their children: 84 percent of the children whose parents say that they fit some of the following characteristics (like reasoning, rapid learning, extensive vocabulary and excellent memory) has at least 120 IQ. Over 95 percent show giftedness in at least one area but are asynchronous in their development.
So, if you feel that your child is an advanced learner, is potentially gifted, and needs a non-traditional, individualized way of learning, enroll him or her at Headway School for Giftedness at 130-B Matahimik St., UP Village, Diliman Q.C. You can call them at 925-38-90 or 921-76-12. Enrollment is ongoing for pre-school to Grade VI.
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