A quality gifted program is designed to foster learning while meeting the unique needs of children that are talented beyond their years. As a parent, it can be challenging to identify what qualifies a gifted and talented program as exceptional, and your child deserves a program that fits their learning style and personality. Before you begin the process of selecting a school, understand these five components that signify a quality gifted program designed for supporting gifted students.
Research-Based Practices
There are many gifted programs available, yet the methods used in these programs can vary from one school to another. While it may be tempting to try out the latest trends, it is essential to understand the importance of choosing a research-based program. When a gifted and talented program uses methods based upon research, you can be certain that the strategies used with your child have been proven to be effective within the academic community. Typically, accredited schools will have undergone a rigorous evaluation process that ensures they adhere to research-based practices that support the development of gifted learners.
Enrichment Courses
A child can be gifted academically, creatively or socially. Wherever your child’s talents lie, it is important to ensure that they are involved in a gifted and talented program that provides a well-rounded day. Classes such as woodworking and cooking provide an outlet for students who may need an occasional break from the rigors of academic study, and they can also allow them to excel in areas that fit their talents.
Constructive Feedback
Traditionally, students are assigned letter and number grades in the majority of schools. However, these grades only provide a small snapshot of a child’s abilities. Look for narrative grading that involves written feedback that can provide a better overall picture of your child’s progress. Although it may take some adjustment to get used to this grading system, receiving constructive feedback helps gifted learners to identify their strengths while finding ways to continuously improve their skills.
Service Opportunities
Gifted learners become aware of adult concerns early in life, and they express a desire to make a difference in the world that is advanced for their age. Service-learning projects provide a way for exceptional children to alleviate their anxiety about world affairs while strengthening their self-confidence. During your evaluation of a gifted program, ask about volunteer opportunities such as feeding the homeless and cleaning up the community. Students in these programs find that service-learning projects offer a way to gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom while allowing them to develop stronger relationships with others in their community.
Individualized Learning Programs
Whether it is robotics, astronomy or the creative arts, gifted learners tend to hone in on a favorite subject that they can spend hours researching. It is important to avoid stifling these interests since they often carry into adulthood. For this reason, you will want to choose a program that recognizes the importance of individual projects. Ideally, a portion of each day’s schedule should be allotted to allow children to pursue their interests and report back to their teacher and classmates regarding their findings.
In a gifted program, the ages and abilities of students can span a wide range. Therefore, it is important that teachers and other staff members understand the best practices for adapting a curriculum to fit the changing needs of an exceptional child. Following your child’s placement in a gifted program, remain involved in their education, and track their progress as they benefit from an education that is tailored to their learning style and abilities.
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