Gifted learners are unique students to work with since they tend to create and execute their own projects without much adult direction. Yet, these learners also come with special needs that are not always met in the traditional academic classroom. For example, gifted students are at greater risk for losing interest in school due to boredom or a lack of social involvement. For this reason, it is not only essential to provide them with an education geared towards gifted children, but extracurricular opportunities are important as well. Here are five activities that offer additional support for a gifted learner’s development.
A Foreign Language
Learning to speak a different language helps to build new neural connections in the areas of the brain that affect communication and understanding. However, gifted students tend to prefer to learn languages that they will use in their future. For example, a student is more likely to use Mandarin Chinese in their future business career since this will make them stand out more than the traditional language courses offered in many schools.
Yoga
The rigors of academic study generate a lot of stress for gifted learners, and some need encouragement to get out from behind the desk and move their bodies. In addition to promoting relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and stretching, yoga provides a non-competitive alternative to traditional sports. For gifted learners that already place great expectations on themselves, having a relaxing way to exercise decreases stress and promotes physical health.
Cooking
Aside from the benefits offered for a gifted student’s taste buds, this important life skill prepares gifted students for when they head off to college. It also combines science, math and health concepts into one fun course that hardly feels like learning. In addition to analyzing how certain ingredients form chemical reactions while cooking, gifted learners are encouraged to stretch their creativity as they concoct new recipes and practice artistic plating.
Speech
The feeling of dread that accompanies speaking in front of a crowd is hard to get over. Yet, practice truly does make perfect when it comes to giving a speech. Many gifted students struggle with low self-esteem and shyness that can hinder their future careers. Today, being able to give an eloquent public speech is one skill that sets a person apart from the pack, and it is a desirable trait for many high-level executive positions. When gifted students take speech, they also emerge from their classes with greater self-confidence that carries into every aspect of their lives.
Choir
Music as a major stress reliever, and joining a choir provides students with an opportunity to work with others toward a goal. This team mentality is ideal for gifted learners who may need a little encouragement to step out of their comfort zone. Learning to read music helps students in a way similar to learning a new language since it stimulates neural connections, and performing in front of a crowd builds confidence. Many choirs also plan performances within the community, which provides gifted learners a great way to engage in service learning opportunities.
Keeping gifted learners challenged can be an all-consuming task for parents and educators, and many students develop asynchronously without additional support. For this reason, it is important to use extracurricular activities to round out a student’s education in a way that is tailored to meet their strengths and weaknesses. By understanding the benefits of each type of activity, gifted learners can choose a class that puts them on the right course for success.