advanced and absorbing everything, often it is only when
the school gets in touch if a child is very good, very bad or
has problems that a parent becomes pro-active and wants
to find out more.
Next steps
What should you do if you think your child might be
gifted? A good first step is to contact the HKAGE,
which has a hotline and a wealth of information
online, including an array of leaf lets about identifying
giftedness in young children. Bear in mind that each
child’s circumstances are different, so you or the expert
you talk to needs to tailor the advice to your situation.
Some experts will suggest an IQ test. But IQ is only
one of a few factors used to determine if a child is gifted
and the EDB prefers multiple testing techniques. Vivian
agrees that IQ testing, while the traditional method,
is controversial. In any event, she doesn’t recommend
testing before six years of age, but rather to observe the
developing child’s natural behaviour.
Wendy recalls meeting a doctor who said her
son was different and had good comprehension. But
Josh had been having trouble at school, continually
challenging his teachers. By then Josh was five, so
Wendy got his IQ tested. After testing, his apparent
behavioural issues at school turned out to be due to
boredom. By doing her own research, mainly online,
Wendy realised it was actually Josh’s early achievement
that caused his challenging behaviour.
Nurturing natural talent
The key to parenting, says Stephen, is to follow the
child and offer avenues to explore, but not to force. For
example, if a child is musical, suggest instruments to
play. Schools should give good learning opportunities
and offer diversity. The school and parents must work
together with the child.
From Wendy’s research, she decided to place Josh
in a multi-age class to help him develop emotionally,
rather than to skip grades. Currently he’s in such a
class, in an international school in Hong Kong, which
works well for him. Josh has also been going to Aristle
Gifted Institute for more than two years for creative
learning.
PT Chan says that parents should remain open
to different types of giftedness; a child could excel in
the arts or be creative, not just do well in academic
subjects. The goal is to understand and maximise each
child’s potential. He emphasises that this responsibility
cannot be delegated. Parents should help with learning,
understand the child and be aware that gifted children
tend to be quite emotional.
Wendy confirms that Josh is very sensitive and
intense, getting anxious if there is a risk of failure.
Whilst Josh is fast thinking, he’s “hard on himself
because he’s a perfectionist and gets frustrated easily”.
No pressure
A child shouldn’t be labelled as a prodigy or gifted, as
this could place pressure on them. The child may have
an aptitude in one area but will still need to develop
socially, emotionally and intellectually. Stephen’s
view is that parents can help balance out the child;
nurture and support without pushing, which could be
counterproductive.
Acceleration (such as grade skipping) is not the only
solution, according to PT Chan, since a child can speed the
pace of learning but still needs time to expand and reflect.
IQ is only one of
a few factors used
to determine if a
child is gifted and
the EDB prefers
multiple testing
techniques.
March 2013
55