Stating that different education models should be applied to gifted children who have been on the agenda in recent days, experts point out that it is not right to isolate these children from other children and raise them as adults. Experts warn, "These children should not be cut off from the social environment." According to experts, the content of these children's education should be diversified and they should be directed to areas where they can maintain their creativity.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Child Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten made evaluations regarding the right approach model for gifted children.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten stated that some children are born with a cognitive ability that is significantly above the average intelligence and said, "Although the definition of giftedness varies widely, it is generally accepted to have superior ability in general cognitive functions or in a specific area. A gifted individual may have a high level of ability in mathematics but may not have the same level of success in language skills. Generally, giftedness manifests itself in cognitive, creativity, artistic skills, leadership or specific academic areas."
They are creative, curious and have a wide vocabulary
Noting that children with these characteristics usually have high reasoning skills, are creative, curious, have a wide vocabulary and a strong memory, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten said, "They are usually perfectionists and question authority. In addition to these characteristics, some gifted children have difficulty in establishing and maintaining communication with their peer group. This is because they differ greatly from their peers in terms of vocabulary, personality, interests and motivation levels. They prefer to be with older children and adults."
They should not be isolated from other children
Emphasizing that all children can have different characteristics and that this diversity is a positive thing, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten noted that gifted children should not be isolated from other children and that it is not right to raise them as adults. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten said the following:
"However, it is necessary to accept and love these differences and fulfill the necessary conditions for the child to grow in an appropriate environment. Just as different education modules should be applied to children with mental retardation or learning disorders, special education programs should be applied to gifted children, the content of the education they receive should be diversified, and they should be directed to areas where they can continue their creativity. It is not right to isolate them from other children or to raise them as adults."
Social isolation should be prevented
Stating that gifted children usually have certain areas of interest and that all their attention can be focused on these areas, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emel Sarı Gökten said, "They should be treated with respect for their interests, but at the same time, they should not be cut off from social environments. They should be shown that they can enjoy different activities and interests, and they should be prevented from sticking to a single field and not being interested in anything else. Because these children may focus too much on their favorite subjects and may be deprived of social relationships, peers and many other activities that they can enjoy. This situation may hinder the child's psychological development and cause the development of many different psychiatric disorders in the future."
