“The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” - Nathaniel Branden
We all have heard about Gifted Education, Gifted and Talented Education (GATE), TAG Programs, SEN Programs etc.
However, how do we really identify them?
For some children, at times we might understand due to physical special needs but in the case of children possessing learning special needs like Dyslexia or Neurodevelopmental ailments like ADHD how are we supposed to identify them? How shall we identify students who have a different level of intellect and possess way more potential than other children of the same age group?
For that, we need to discuss a little about what they are.
What is Gifted Education?
Gifted education thrived in the early 1900s. Gifted education is a broad term that refers to a set of teaching strategies, procedures, and beliefs that are used to teach kids who have been recognized as gifted or talented. There is no universal description of what a talented student is; instead, there are a variety of classifications. The pupils who are the most competent or talented in a certain subject, such as music, reasoning, language or maths, are usually chosen by most definitions.
Gifted learners are basically those whose potential is noticeably above average in one or more of the following areas:
- Intellectual
- Creative
- Social and
- Physical
Gifted learners need services as well as activities not customarily provided by the school in order to develop their potential completely.
The technique of educating children in a way that fits their specific characteristics, impairments, and special needs is known as Special Education. Learning impairments, learning difficulties, communication special needs, emotional and behavioural special needs, physical special needs, developmental special needs, and other special needs are among the special needs that special education attempts to accommodate.
In some states, gifted education is taken under the umbrella of special education. You might have the question why so? It is because, at times, a person who possesses any kind of special need can have an extremely high Intelligent Quotient. Thus, it is undoubtedly crucial to know and be able to identify gifted and special children.
Lewis Terman (1877 to 1956) is recognized as the father of gifted education. In 1916, here viewed the Binet-Simon and published the Stanford-Binet test, which made it possible for schools to evaluate student intelligence.
Terman was the first researcher to do a longitudinal education on gifted children. He published the first results of his research in 1925 and reported that gifted students were stronger than the non-gifted physically, emotionally, as well as academically.
On the other hand, Leta Hollingworth (1886 to 1939) might be called the mother of gifted education. She gained a Ph.D. and taught at Columbia University. She was the first to use the term ''gifted'' for intelligently advanced children.
How Do You Teach Gifted Learners?
Try to use more blended teaching-learning models for their custom-made education. Try to give them a chance to share their discoveries with other learners as well. Did you know gifted learners love resolving open-ended questions? Yes, they do! Try to keep questions open-ended.
Provide them with some real-world problems and letthem do independent research to suggest solutions. Remember that gifted learners are capable of completing more tasks in less time. An additional way of engaging as well as utilizing the aptitudes of gifted students is to encourage them for some added courses.
Try to let them explore numerous topics that are covered in the class already. It will boost their interest, creativity and soothe their curious minds. Also, it is a great idea to group them with other students in the class for effective learning and inculcates different soft skills like ‘teamwork’ in them.
Online Special Education programs are something that you can consider. Another advantage of these courses is they can be taken up by professional educators and parents as well. For parents, it is very significant for them to know about special and gifted children and identify them. Perhaps, it is their duty to recognise their children and arrange for an IEP or EEP or GIEP if required.
These courses have three levels – Certificate, Diploma and Post Graduate. The courses are flexible and have a duration of 4 months, 8 months and 12 months respectively. The courses are designed for aspiring or working teachers, special education needs (SEN) teachers, and parents who want to update their skills. The course provides potential global educators with the necessary skills and approaches to handle the requirements of special needs students.
The Bottom Line
Remember gifted learners also have exclusive personalities. Hence, to teach them effectively, you will need to possess certain special teaching skills and knowledge. Educate them the importance of blissful and happy representative learning. Try out these approaches to engage with a gifted child in your class.
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Written By : Sudeshna Guha Thakurta
