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Gifted and talented

What extra lessons do they do at home?

8 replies

vitaCoco7 · 24/12/2022 11:08

Gifted son, 9 years old.

He does Cubs, learns an instrument, learns another language.

What else do your gifted DCs do outside school?

OP posts:
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breadandwatered · 24/12/2022 11:19

Same as his siblings, cubs, football, two instruments, swimming, choir, drama. He's actually not as naturally talented as the others at music so it's doing him good to learn instruments and have to actually try. Not doing any extracurricular school type tutoring, just having books available at home.

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JuneOsborne · 24/12/2022 11:21

Chill! Be a kid! If they're gifted, they don't need anything extra, their natural talent will see them right.

But indulging their current interest is excellent, so if they're a gifted artist, all the supplies they could want. Talented coder? Raspberry pis, arduinos etc etc. Gifted mathematician? Puzzles, puzzle books, rubix cubes. Etc etc.

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BraveGoldie · 24/12/2022 11:36

Would suggest you do no extra lessons in anything they do at school - will just make them feel even more bored and isolated in the topics at school. There is no rush to get gifted kids to achieve even more, or even faster than they will anyway. That can just create pressure, isolation, and loss of the joys of childhood..... a feeling that their only value is in the achievements they deliver.

Let them be kids and relax.

Help them develop other areas they may not be as good in (Eg being in uncontrolled, spontaneous situations; getting messy; getting along with their peers- whatever may be a blind spot for them).

Then generally stimulate - access to good books, trips to see something stimulating, have interesting conversations with them.... nothing more should be needed.

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PennyRa · 28/12/2022 19:16

Whatever makes them happy. For us that means lots of projects and experiments

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Numbersarefun · 28/12/2022 19:20

Mine learnt to cook, garden, decorate, sew etc - not extra classes as such, but they had plenty of time for the above. Also all learnt instrument(s), played sport, did things at church etc etc oh and watched documentaries!!!!!

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BookedOut · 28/12/2022 19:23

Choir (including theory and RSCM medals) has been the best. But also opportunity to try lots of different things (some of which they were rubbish at, which is important!) including drama group, different types of dance, various sports, Beavers/Cubs, kids online philosophy classes (run by an amazing guy who is brilliant at dealing with all types of DC), art / craft, sewing / knitting. Not all at once!

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Chisquared · 28/12/2022 19:31

DS is grown up now but played 2 instruments, was in a band, football, athletics, cooking. No extra lessons, he taught himself various things like coding at various points.

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unlimiteddilutingjuice · 28/12/2022 19:37

DS has ASD as well as being gifted and we need to ration the demands on him quite carefully to avoid burnout.
He can't handle a full day at school but will read and watch documentaries about his special interests for hours and hours and hours.
We homeschool now and that allows him to handle some extra curriculars that would otherwise be overwhelming.
He does History Club, Philosophy Club, an Academic Support Session and Drama Club. I'm also hoping to get a D&D group going in the new year.

DD is neurotypical and also very bright.
She does MMA, Academic Support Session, Drama Club and Brownies.
I'd like to get her some art classes as well as she's shown an interest in that lately.

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