Getting Real With Shadra Bruce
Dealing with a student who is more advanced than the rest of the class can be just as challenging as dealing with a kid who struggles. It is up to you to keep them motivated and involved so that they can reach their true potential. Unfortunately, you can’t really control what is being taught. You can, however, challenge their mind outside of school so that they feels more obliged to complete their schoolwork.
Supplement Their Education
National Association of Gifted Children believes that one of the worst ways to teach a bright child is by giving them busywork. So it’s really not a surprise that your child doesn’t want to do homework. You can tell them that they just need to do it so they can pass, but then you can enroll them in some online courses where they can activate their brain and learn new skills. The Penn Foster YouTube channel is a great place for you to learn what kinds of courses are available for your child. They can study many different subjects, and can even work towards becoming a pharmacy technician or veterinary tech. Penn Foster also offers high school courses, which may be a great alternative to public school since your child can set their own pace.
Let Them Interact With Other Bright Kids
Another way to challenge their mind is by having them build relationships with other kids with the same IQ. Brilliant.org is a great site for kids with high IQs to get together and compete. This website will analyze your child’s abilities and give them a ranking. They are then challenged with different questions every day. When they answer them correctly they earns point that can be redeemed for prizes. What’s even better is that they can build relationships with the other kids and participate in some friendly competition.
Get Them Hands-on Experience
It’s clear that studying their textbook is just not challenging your kid. Instead, take them on mini field trips so they can learn the same knowledge first hand. Museums can be very educational and a great way for your child to learn. You may also want to check into the local colleges to see if they offer any special programs for high school students. For example, Lamar University in Texas offers a unique hands-on experience for high school students considering a career in nursing. The students can perform simulated medical procedures on high-tech mannequins, letting them get a real feel for the profession they are considering. The key is to keep your child’s brain engaged so they can reach their full potential. If they can stimulate their brain in other ways, they may be more willing to complete the formality that is homework.
