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Special Programs Allow Gifted Children to Thrive
by Dennis O'Brien "Special opportunities are important for gifted children because they broaden their scope and vision and help them realize that anything is possible," said Shaun Engle who recently served as a judge for Academic Challenge Cup held on the Washington University Campus. Academic Challenge Cup is sponsored by Gifted Resource Council, a nonprofit organization which has provided nurturing enrichment programs for talented St. Louis youngsters for eighteen years. In addition to Academic Challenge Cup, the council offers Saturday classes, summer academic camps and workshops for parents and teachers. Usually parents and teachers who have seen the benefits to their children volunteer and undergo the training necessary to serve as judges for this friendly competition among more than 1400 elementary school children. Engle had another reason to volunteer. He knows first hand the importance of children being able to participate in enrichment activities with other gifted peers. A scholarship arranged by caring teacher made it possible for Engle to participate in such a program while a high school student, and it proved to be one of the best memories of his childhood. "The experience demonstrated to me that there were other kids that cared about matters as deeply as I did. I could never figure out in my regular circles of influence why no one really seemed to care about matters such as learning, school, our world, treatment and attitudes toward one another, personal growth and social issues," said Engle. "This new experience gave me hope. It was the first time I realized that I wasn't necessarily alone anymore," he added. Engle's comments aptly describe the plight of many gifted students—as well as the surge of hope they experience when they have structured opportunities to interact with their intellectual peers. Many people consider children with unusual talents to be advantaged, and in some ways they are. But gifted children face unique developmental hurdles and need resources and supportive programs like those offered by Gifted Resource Council. "Gifted children—children with greater intelligence and creativity—tend to be more sensitive than others, are potentially more productive, and have a more highly developed sense of injustice," says Dr. Agnes Meyo, a therapist who specializes in serving gifted children. "In order to thrive, gifted children must be challenged academically and nurtured socially in ways that are typically not possible in their regular classrooms," said Sue Flesch, the council's executive director. "They also need opportunities to interact with other talented children in order to develop a balanced, healthy self-esteem," Flesch said. Although research has identified gifted children as an "at-risk" population that performs poorly in school when not appropriately challenged and supported, they receive less support than any other at-risk population in the nation. It is estimated that only one cent of every $100 spent on education is earmarked for gifted children. As an at-risk group, children with outstanding abilities often accomplish much less than they are capable of. This diminishes the larger community, since these children possess the skills, knowledge and problem-solving abilities necessary to address societal challenges like environmental management, medical and technological advancement, education, poverty and economic development. As a society, we cannot afford to squander the awesome potential of our most talented children. As parents, we must do all we can to see that they receive the intellectual stimulation, psychosocial development and nurturing they need in order to thrive. Parents who are interested in learning more about enrichment activities should contact their child's school counselor, the district's gifted coordinator or phone Flesch at 314-962-5920. For more information regarding Gifted Resource Council, please call the GRC office at 314-962-5920. |
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