How do I get my daughters school to start a gifted and talented program?
My daughter has tested twice, both in 1st grade and 2nd and passed both times for the gifted and talented program at a school in another state. The school here doesn’t have a GT program to offer her. She’s getting really bored in school and getting in trouble for talking etc… how can I get her new school to start a GT program so she is more challenged? Or is there anything I can do at home to help her?
I speak from experience as a former "gifted child" as well as being the aunt of an extremely bright 3rd grader and the mother of an extremely bright preschooler. Based on my experience, I have to say, it will be nearly impossible to get your gifted daughter’s school to provide additional services for her.
This country’s public schools are dancing as fast as they can to serve the average kids and the kids who are falling behind, and unfortunately the pervasive attitude (in most school districts — not EVERY school district) is that the gifted kids will "take care of themselves."
Of course, this is not the case — gifted kids need just as much direction and guidance as any other kids, and entirely too many of them get bored, which can lead to destructive habits and attitudes regarding school and the work ethic.
Fortunately, there’s plenty of stuff you can do with her at home to enrich her learning and enjoyment.
Check out www.hoagiesgifted.org and www.nacg.org for resources. You may also find that your home state has programs for gifted children. But be aware that anything sponsored by the state or federal government is likely to be limited in scope. Nurturing our brightest young minds is just not something our government is particularly good at.
You could also check out homeschooling websites like www.homeschooldiner.com. Homeschooling websites can give you dozens of links to free educational materials that are available on the web, in every subject you can think of. You don’t have to be a homeschooler to use these materials. It’s amazing what you can find for free on the web.
Also, check your local paper and community bulletin boards for information about local museums, nature centers, theaters, farms, zoos, etc. You might be surprised at the kinds of resources that you have nearby. Enrichment doesn’t have to cost a lot, either. Many museums offer a free or reduced-entry-fee day on a regular basis. Libraries and churches often offer concerts of many different types of music for little or no cost.
Educational enrichment doesn’t have to mean "academics" all the time — check the Parks & Rec departments in your town and neighboring towns to see what kind of sports classes or teams they offer. If you like crafts, you and she could learn a new crafting skill together, like embroidery or knitting or wood carving.
Even doing everyday stuff together, like cooking, will teach life skills, math, following directions, reading comprehension. You just have to know how to present it.
And of course, your town library is invaluable. Not only does it provide free books, music, and movies, but it’s a meeting place for your community. I find out about lots of cool — often free-of-charge — stuff to do with my daughter by hanging out at the library on a regular basis.
Good luck!
Recent Comments