Advice On Raising A Child Who Is Gifted
A child who is gifted needs things to stimulate his mind. When you give him appropriate challenges, he gets a chance to develop his potentials. That does not mean that you have to spend a lot of money buying special lesson programs for him. A lot of things around his environment can be used to further his development. Read over the tips in the article to learn about the best approaches in helping your gifted child reach his potential.
If your child is gifted in a certain area, take notice on what he likes to play. Use that as a starting point in finding areas to further his development. For instance, if your child gravitates toward music, introduce some music lessons. Have him try different instruments and see what he likes the best. The important thing is that you should choose what your child likes to do. This makes learning more effective.
Sometimes a child is gifted in more than one area. If you have identified one area where he is gifted, do not stop there. Expose him to other types of activities. He may surprise you by also being gifted in other areas. This allows your child to develop well-rounded interests instead of just one facet.
Be creative in how you keep your gifted child engaged. You do not have to follow any set procedures. Design your own lesson plan. For example, if your child shows special interest in nature, take him on a camping trip at a national or state park. Sign up for ranger programs. Your child can immerse himself in learning about wildlife and the environment.
There are many places in towns and cites nearby that can serve as an opportunity for learning. A science museum often has many children’s activities that focus on math and science. Drive out into the country and visit a farm. Your child can learn about crops and the raising of farm animals. Take him to visit some historical landmarks to enrich his mind.
Have on hand interesting activities for your child to do at home. Even the backyard can be place for exploration. Do not just let your child sit in front of the computer at home, but engage him in activities that will make his life at home interesting.
Use your judgment in how much you want to challenge your child. You have to consider his emotional state as well, to see if he is ready to be challenged. If he is solving puzzles, give him a slightly harder puzzle to solve. If he cannot, praise him for the effort and do not focus on his inability to do it. If he can solve a harder puzzle, he has successfully advanced himself to the next level.
Children like to copy their parents, so make sure that you are a good role model. Avoid bickering and arguing with your spouse, and your child will not grow up arguing with people.
There are many ways in which you can help your gifted child maximize his potential. He has the gift, and it is up to you to give him proper guidance.