RISKS
FOR BRIGHT KIDS
Inappropriate school experience may harm a child.
For bright children the inappropriate experience is
slow, repetitive teaching of material they already
know or grasp easily.
Imagine a six year-old first grader who reads
chapter books being taught beginning phonics – or a mathematically talented
10 year-old given
worksheets of simple problems day after
day.
In such an environment bright kids
-
Learn less than their potential allows. A
moderately bright student can learn
significantly
faster than the pace of typical school
instruction.
They also may
-
Lose the “joy of learning.”
-
Develop negative attitudes about school –
“school is boring.”
-
Develop poor study habits – since they’re not
challenged they don’t learn how to study and
when finally reaching challenging material in
university they falter.
-
Become isolated and lonely in a classroom of
kids several grade levels below their ability.
-
Be teased for their gifted traits.
-
Develop a negative self-image as a misfit.
-
Become identified as poor students – because
they’re not applying themselves.
-
Become identified as trouble makers – because
their energy and creativity find non-academic
outlets.
-
Lose motivation and become chronic
underachievers – a pattern that may last a
lifetime.
Or, No Obvious Warning Signs
Just as worrisome as “troubled” gifted kids are those who
have sufficient social skills not to annoy their
teachers and who silently endure their diminished
opportunities while learning a fraction of what they
could.
Others out of social pressure to blend in hide their
ability and dumb down.
Parents must advocate for their children
When a bright kid says he hates school or when the teacher
of a 6 year-old who plays chess for hours at home
says he needs ADHD medication good parents react.
When a joyful, inquisitive child becomes sullen good
parents intervene.
Once re-supplied with challenge and respect for their
abilities these bright students can recover their
joy and motivation. |
