Resources round up
Gifted children are different but, like most kids, they
don’t necessarily want to stand out or be seen as different.
Since Josh is sometimes isolated from other children,
Wendy has worked hard to become friends with parents
with kids she thinks will get along with him.
She also ensures that Josh sees her failing at things so
he understands that failure and struggle are normal and
important parts of learning. Wendy encourages after-school
activities such as kung fu or art, which suit Josh better
than team games. Whilst he’s ahead academically, he is
not ahead physically or at sports. Her son doesn’t realise
he isn’t good at everything and finds multitasking difficult,
tending only to focus on one thing at a time.
According to Vivian, if you believe your child is gifted,
don’t try to view him as normal or abnormal but, rather, as
special. Try to understand your child and help him move
forward. Parental support and communication are very
important so your child doesn’t feel like he has to handle
things alone. No matter how gifted they are, you don’t want
your child to be lonely when they need a friend. As Wendy
says, “Lots of love and encouragement are important,
especially as gifted children are hard on themselves.”
Parental support and
communication are very
important so your child
doesn’t feel like he has to
handle things alone.
There are free resources available to parents in
Hong Kong who think their child might be gifted.
Indeed, schools are expected to have two
dedicated teaching posts to look after gifted
children.
The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education
(
HKAGE)
has a parent education programme that
includes talks and extensive resources. Executive
director Dr Stephen Tommis is proud of its dedicated
free hotline, where anyone can email or call to ask a
question on giftedness. Visit
http://ge.hkage.org.hk,
email
consultation@hkage.org.hk
, or call 3940 0106.
The Hong Kong Education Bureau’s (EDB)
website
has a section on gifted education that includes
parenting tips and links to local universities and
organisations that provide support. Chief curriculum
development officer for gifted education PT Chan
believes that gifted education should be part of
quality education, with gifted children’s needs
being met in their own school. The EDB’s mission is
to fully explore and develop the potential of gifted
students by providing appropriate opportunities in
a flexible teaching and learning environment. Visit
www.edb.gov.hk,
or call 3698 3472.
Aristle Gifted
Institute was founded in 2010
by a group of gifted individuals and aims to
assist its students in their intellectual, social and
emotional development through multi-disciplinary
programmes and counselling. For more information,
email info@aristle-gifted.com, or call 2801 7920.
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