Tips for parents of kids with ‘a higher IQ’

[chitra]

Tips for parents of kids with ‘a higher IQ’

A cross-section of people in Chennai were recently asked a question by a leading newspaper about what changes they look forward to, in the primary education sector in the year 2009. Here is what they had to say:- More number of schools in urban and rural areas, inclusive approach towards education, uniformity in the school curricula between schools of different Boards, experienced teachers, strengthened counseling services as a platform to communicate and involvement of parents in decision-making. This shows the current awareness of the average Chennaiite as to the importance of education along with emphasis on honing the life skills of students.
Chennai has always had more number of students from all age groups, who come out in flying colours in various competitive national-level exams. In simple words, they have a good number of students who have ‘a higher IQ’.
At the touch of a button, the Internet churns out scores of articles on children with lower IQ and dealing with the related problems. However, information on dealing with kids having a higher IQ is sadly lacking, simply because, to most people this is not a problem at all. This article is an eye-opener to, ways of approaching this problem.
How to pick out a child with a higher IQ
Actually, there is no set method. At the age of 1½, a child names every picture in the alphabet book, recognizes colours and numbers. By 4 years, he can mentally add single- and double-digit numbers. This is quickly followed by multiplication problems that he can do mentally, please remember this happens even before he can use a paper and pencil properly. Oh my, you have a gifted child on your hands. So you see, it just happens…
Some difficult situations you find yourself in
• The most obvious problem is created by the age lockstep system. Your child’s intellectual development (based on his IQ) is far ahead of his social and emotional development.
• You find that he thrives on complexity and challenge. Schools provide information by breaking complex subjects into simple crumbs. It is like feeding an elephant one blade of grass at a time. The result is boredom. He dislikes drill and repetition.
• But when he is taught a new concept in Mathematics, he hates to give it up after just a small 30-50 minute period at school. His mind clamours for further knowledge on the concept.
• When asked to solve Math problems, he never moves in logical sequence but writes the final answer directly. He cannot understand the need for writing steps, and his school will not accept his lack of pattern.
• Should you accelerate your child? Where will you turn to, to give him experiences of interesting difficulty? Sharing your thoughts with general parents will bring reactions like disbelief, skepticism and jealousy from parents who have children who are slow in learning. You turn to books but books relegate these children to a paragraph or two with no practical advice on how to bring them up.
• You read about many exceptional children who end up as underachievers because they could not optimize their full potential. You are afraid you will land up in a similar situation.
• You struggle for information about educational institutions and advanced exams he can write.
• There are moments of frustration when you see that although there are times when he grew in knowledge, but also grew in boredom.
Dealing with this problem
It is said that a problem is often the result of our own perspectives on a phenomenon. Always proceed with a mindset that you should convert any calamity that comes in your way into an opportunity. Make things move in a positive manner for yourself.
Some specific methods you can adopt are:
• At some point of time, you must have come into contact with some excellent teachers who were both supportive and instrumental in directing him on the right path. Keep in touch with those teachers.
• Learn to ignore negative comments and sarcasm from small-minded people and focus on your child’s upbringing.
• Learn to appreciate your instinct and intelligence as a parent. You alone know what works best for your child.
• Gifted children must be allowed to be different even when it is inconvenient or unsafe.
• Master the art of tolerance and realize that what is normal for you is simply unbelievable to others; it is as if you are living in another world. People do not misunderstand ‘on purpose’.
• Although school systems cannot be restructured, perseverance and explanations can get you some measure of adaptation for such children.
• Last but not the least, your child is not strange, your child is wonderful, he is gifted..

Incidentally, the above suggestions given are based on my firsthand experience. I have a child who is gifted. Today, he is a State Champion in the game of Chess and I am proud of him.