The topic of "
gifted children" sure hit a cord with many of you. My email box is loaded with questions. I'll try to answer as many of your questions as possible here on my blog. Read through some of these questions, and feel free to leave one of your own for the future.
My child attends a Montessori school (3yrs old) and I know that she is gifted. They just started a primary school and asked that I keep her in the program instead of going to public school and I am wondering which do you think would help her. Socially she is doing great, but she is a little sensitive. I just want her to be in the best place to encourage her to learn. --Dana
Unfortunately there is no easy answer in how to choose the best school for a gifted child. Should you do private vs public? Gifted class vs self contained? Accelerate her grade level vs keep with same age peers?
Here are four key factors to watch for in a school choice for a younger gifted child:
1. Happy factor. Always the most important! Does your child come home excited about learning or at least content about being in that classroom?
2. Challenge factor. Gifted kids need a bit of a challenge. Does the program stretch her? Don't just think academics. Are there enrichment opportunities? Is there any flexibility or acceleration opportunities if needed?
3. Friend factor. Are the other kids helping her gain a sense of social competence so she can learn friendship making skills?
4 Teacher factor. The human factor is the teacher. Nothing is more important. Does the teacher understand your child and the needs of gifted kids?
At three years of age those are really your key concerns. IQ tests aren't valid for children younger than four or five. At this stage your prime goals for your child's education is making sure she feels emotionally safe and picks up a love for learning. So just tune into those factors and use your instincts.
Also, realize it's rare to find the perfect school or classroom for any child. You'll always have to make some compromises.
More Q&As about gifted children: - Are we pushing too hard?
- Should she go to public or private school?
- Should I even bother labeling my child as gifted?
- Why are parents embarrassed of having smart kids?
- How can I boost my child's academic confidence?
Dr. Michele Borba is the author of over 22 books including
12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know .
译文:
天才儿童：该选公立学校，还是私立学校？
“天才儿童” 的话题一定会引起许多人的关注。我的电子邮箱里到处都塞满了关于此类问题的邮件。我试着在博客里尽量多地回答你们的提问。你们读一下其中的一些提问，也可自由提问。
我的孩子（今年3岁）在蒙特梭利学校读书，我知道她是有天分的。他们刚上小学，学校认为我应该继续让孩子呆在蒙特梭利学习，不要转学公立学校，我想知道，你认为怎么做对孩子最好。她虽然有点敏感，但与同学相处得很好。我只是想尽我所能鼓励她好好学习。 ——达娜
很不幸，如何为天才儿童选择最好的学校，回答起来并不轻松。你觉得该把公立和私立学校，资优班和普通班，是否跳级，放在一起做比较吗？
这里有四个关键因素，可以给年幼的天才儿童选学校时作参考：
1. 快乐因素. 这常常是最重要的因素。你的小孩回家后对学习感兴趣吗，或是至少对自己所在的班级感到满意？
2. 挑战因素. 天才儿童需要挑战。在那学习能否促进她的进步？不要只讲成绩。那里有进步的机会吗？如果需要的话，有促进灵活性的机会吗？
3. 朋友因素. 有其他小孩教她如何学习交际能力，交友技能吗？
4 教师因素. 人的因素是教师。没有什么会比这更加重要。这个老师能理解你的小孩和天才儿童的需要吗？
对三岁的小孩，上述是你们要重点关心的。智商测试对四五岁以下的小孩是没有用的。现阶段你们对小孩主要的目标就是要确保他们情感健康，并热爱学习。所以，只要调谐这些因素，并相信你的直觉。
此外，要明白几乎不可能给儿童完美的学校和班级。通常，你不得不做些妥协。
更多关于天才儿童的问答:
- 我们是否把他们逼得太紧了？
- 应该让她上公立还是私立学校?
- 我该为孩子贴上天才标签而烦恼吗？
- 为什么家长会为有聪明的孩子而倍感尴尬?
- 我该如何提高孩子的学习自信心?
米歇尔·博尔巴博士 著有超过22本著作，包括
真正的妈妈必须知道的12个简单秘密.