Homeschooling a Gifted Child | Q&A | Practical Tips and Encouragement

[@happyonthehomefront4317]

Thank you for the distinction between “smart” and “gifted.”

[@malaikacider1042]

We have a 5 year almost 6 year old doing algebra and highschool math in her head. Glad I came across this video and we aren't alone. She is our oldest we weren't quite sure to expect.

[@SevenInAll]

An adventure awaits! And yes, you'll probably never quite know what to expect...but you're not alone in the journey.

[@melanielazar1325]

Thank you for such an informative video! I have often been the one who is criticized for “letting” my kid go too fast through school. (Age 10 in 7th grade math and science) He’s special and unique and I’m often trying to keep up with his brain. Thank you for the wonderful ideas of stretching, and now I know why he can’t handle boredom!

[@SevenInAll]

Glad it was helpful! It's an adventure and a 'race' for to keep up with these kids as the homeschool parent! And yes...gifted minds have a strong aversion to boredom...they need to be fed, frequently! :)

[@Wayfarer889]

My best tip for adapting video for a gifted learner who tends toward impatience, is to let them adjust the speed control and watch the video at a faster pace. We don't do a ton of video, but when it is included in a lesson and she needs to watch it, this really helps. (Middle schooler here!)

[@SevenInAll]

That's a great option these days!

[@rizbef]

Thank you for this video! I've been struggling with a lot of second-guessing thinking I'm imagining it or blowing things up too much. My daughter is 4.5 and started to read at 3, bumping up our plan to use Logic of English by 2 years. She finished the first book in 6 weeks, and we skipped all review and handwriting because she was not there physically yet- she asked every day for a reading lesson. When we hit "silent e rules" in the second book she hit a wall because it didn't make sense immediately. Then I panicked and thought I introduced structured curriculum too soon and I was pushing her and I ruined reading for her. But I think it was was perfectionism driven so we backed off and did more social-emotionally focused work for awhile. After a few-months-break, now we're blasting full speed again. I appreciate the reminder to really reflect with them on having done something hard and noting the improvement and overcoming of the challenge. We just started Right Start Math A and she is also skipping all review there. She stumbled on multiplication within the first 15 lessons even though it hasn't been taught outright, and figured out multiply by zero on her own today. It definitely does not feel easy to parent this - I feel rushed and just a tad panicked that we won't find that "sweet spot" of challenge. And still going backwards myself sometimes and feeling "oh, no, she's just a little smart." One thing I wonder about is social skills. She is autistic, but I imagine this can be an issue with giftedness in general because of such an intellectual gap with peer groups and the emotionality. We do homeschool, she also goes to 4K four days a week for a few hours so she could have more exposure to other kids and opportunities to make friends. She said she doesn't need friends. Would love to hear about gifted kids and finding friendships. For whatever reason it feels like a lot of pressure now to help her with friendship skills in case she does want them one day and isn't able to make those friendships.

[@SevenInAll]

For me, when it comes to friendships and social interaction--having a worldview that deeply values and respects other people, in all of their uniqueness and variety, helps a lot. I have not always found it easy to 'be relatable' or make friends but learning to value other people for the unique persons that they are vs. how much they have in common with me, learning that worldview and value system at a young age (communicated by my own parents) helped a lot. Also, internalizing what I might call 'scripts' for social situations is something that helps to this day--what can you do when it's someone's birthday? When someone is sad? When someone is excited about some news? What can you do when you realize you've hurt someone's feelings? Learning appropriate responses to different situations and having the 'script' for that situation able to operate in one's brain can be helpful to draw from.

[@michellebatac1336]

Thank you so very much! Having my specific question answered and you have another video on it I must have missed! You are such a huge blessing in my homeschool! Keep up the good work, it’s making a huge difference!

[@SevenInAll]

You are so welcome! Glad it's helpful!

[@zahrayoder5049]

Appreciate everything shared in this video, thank you Very much. My key takeaway among all the gems shared, was to help children KNOW themselves!

[@Tamara-fz4wm]

I love that you keep advocating for these kids and the wild ride their parents are on. As always a helpful video.

[@SevenInAll]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mamaisawake]

I came to these videos of yours on gifted kids in order to prepare to teach my 5 year old next year as she enters kindergarten (after a couple years in a private pre-k and at her PT conference her teacher said my daughter finishes hwr work before she gets around to teach it to her and the teacher tries to think of something new to teach her while the other kids are on the first thing). But, while watching I have seen so much about my struggles as a child in public school and I know I was experiencing these struggles because I was so bored and frustrated by that wasted time. I think homeschooling is going to be really good for my smart, bold, sweet girl. ❤ thank you for your videos with this perspective on your experience as a gifted home schooler.

[@SevenInAll]

So glad that these are helpful! I am very grateful for the opportunity that homeschool gave me as a child to learn at my own pace vs. having my pace toned down to match that of a classroom. Homeschool can definitely be a gift for a gifted learner!

[@nateandrosannaengebretson3996]

This was a fun video to watch. I would place myself in the “smart” category, but there are a few things you mentioned that struck a chord: 1. Intricate handiwork- I still distinctly remember learning basket-weaving at 6, and loving it and the process is still ingrained in my head. Same with loom-weaving at 9; it somehow fulfilled almost a need in me. 2. Boredom-my husband has laughed at me because I can’t stand to spend time in the bathroom with nothing to occupy my mind 😝. I remember as a kid air-typing or finger-spelling all the shampoo ingredients, or trying to exactly count out 60 seconds. 3. Loved to read-remember being grounded from reading as a punishment at 7, only to be caught reading and re-grounded 😳 4. Came from a somewhat dysfunctional homeschooling family, so when, at 12, I found myself two grades behind, I took my education in my own hands and completed three grades in the next two years (More initiative than brilliance 🤓.) 5. Sometimes just get the itch to do things like teach myself Braille✔️or origami✔️, or I see an algebra equation and hear it calling my name. Still think of myself as a somewhat superficial learner who doesn’t like open-ended questions, usually prefers to operate in a box, and is not terribly creative. I’m always in awe of people who ARE those things. But I’ve always loved learning! Thanks for another great video!

[@SevenInAll]

I think all of this is a spectrum, and it can be hard to make clear distinguishing lines at times. Boredom, man, it's killer. I spent many of my childhood breakfast times reading every word on the cereal boxes for something to do...until I was allowed to bring books to the table... :)

[@zahrayoder5049]

Appreciate everything shared in this video, thank you Very much. My key takeaway among all the gems shared, was to help children KNOW themselves! That some things may be easy while other things may be hard, and that’s okay!

[@SevenInAll]

Yes! I cannot underscore enough the importance of helping your child to know themselves well, to be able to identify different areas that come more easily to them as well as skills that are harder forthem--not so that they can avoid the harder things, but so that they can be mentally and emotionally prepared to be challenged in those areas and to use difficult things as growth opportunities.

[@Mare00711]

Wow this is so good! This explains so much! No wonder i am always butting heads with my child who makes the connections so fast.

[@SevenInAll]

These children have amazing minds and can also offer parents quite the challenge in guiding them along the way!

[@lifewithginab]

Great video, and always learn more with your videos, Rachel! Thanks for sharing this ❤

[@SevenInAll]

You're so welcome, Gina!

[@lizzieschnell7233]

THANK YOU for this video! I’ve been planning to homeschool since before we had kids, and I thought I subscribed to the “let them be kids” philosophy. But my daughter is 2 and anyone who knows her would say she’s clearly gifted. So we’re starting preschool this fall (she’ll be 2.5 by then) and I’m already altering the curriculum to meet her pace of learning (they do 2 week units, there’s no way she’d tolerate 1 topic for longer than a week). I was a gifted child as well but wasn’t challenged, and I’d love to break that cycle

[@SevenInAll]

Great job working toward breaking that cycle! These kids deserve a chance to fly and exercise their amazing brains that thrive with challenge.

[@angelicaclaudio-cortes6952]

Thank you for this! I have a creative and smart 5 year old, but my 3 year old was talking in clear full sentences at 2, and is already writing her name, so I know this will come in handy.

[@SevenInAll]

Glad it was helpful!

[@FDSCreatives]

We used AAR and absolutely adapted it

[@SevenInAll]

Yes--I'm all about adapting to meet the needs of the child in front of you!

[@bdhesse]

I just want to add: a gentle curriculum can be fine if it works with your child's interests, but you'll likely have to adapt it. For example, we use Blossom and Root for my youngest, but we are finishing of Early Years 1 (which many people do with 3ish year olds) this year (my daughter is 2) and will be doing the step up next year. We also add more books and just generally go more indepth.

[@bdhesse]

Also, I should add that we're already into parts of Early Years 2 because my 2yo really wants to learn her letters and counting.

[@SevenInAll]

Yes, a 'gentle' curriculum might actually be rather 'ambitious' when using it with a younger-than-usual learner. :) Love these eager little minds!

[@bdhesse]

@@SevenInAll Yeah, now if only I could keep up 😅

[@ThisIsLovelyLaura]

I would agree with this for younger children. My 3 yo is at a K/ 1st grade level, and most curriculum requires handwriting , which he is not ready for. I find that gentle curriculum requires less writing and works for us.

[@rosalindreloj7928]

Fantastic content. This will definitely take a few listens to absorb all the great advice and tips. Thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts!!!

[@SevenInAll]

Glad it was helpful! And yes, I know I talked about a LOT in this video...

[@oluwatomifamade1453]

Thank you so much for this video. So many nuggets of wisdom 🙏🏽

[@SevenInAll]

Glad it was helpful!

[@setsu2009]

Thank you for sharing. Your video is so so helpful.

[@SevenInAll]

You are so welcome!

[@OMG1877]

I’ve been considering testing my child since she was 2 years old. At 2, she know all her letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and was able to solve puzzles. She is now 4 and she is ambidextrous, loves math and science. I started teaching her how to read and she picked it up at ease but not too interested in reading. She dreads writing and I think it is because she is a perfectionist and has to color or write within the lines. She loves crafts but take a while completing them and again I think it’s because she’s a perfectionist. Also, we did homeschool pre-K this previous year and she did kindergarten math and she finished the book in 6 months with ease. I always thought she was like this because both me and her father are good in math. She hates repeating previous things she learn and gave me a hard time completing those topics. She’s going to be in kindergarten this upcoming year and I was considering doing kindergarten math but with a different curriculum but they seem too easy. I’m worried she might miss some things if I jump straight to first grade math. Should I get her tested to see if she’s actually gifted or is she just a strong willed child?

[@SevenInAll]

1) I wouldn't worry about missing things if you jump to 1st grade math--most curriculums have a scope and sequence or a list of skills children need to know before starting that level, you should easily be able to look at the requirements for a level and see if 1st grade would be a better fit 2) As I mentioned in the video, I believe that testing for giftedness is most useful if you're planning to use services/resources from the school system or from another organization that requires the official testing. If you're homeschooling and able to adapt to meet her needs, I don't think testing officially has all that much benefit. 3) Perfectionism is something worth battling and striving to overcome, because perfectionism, in the long run, is crippling. I have a video talking about battling perfectionism here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2nYZYeMaJeBh5Y

[@elizabethlotus4214]

Really helpful tips. Thanks Rachel!

[@SevenInAll]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

I find My gifted kids are way better at doing school work when stressed better than talking about their feelings!!! I’ve encouraged both of them to read certain books that are a bit challenging for them and I know it’s not too challenging!!! These books are on our family sharing so they can read them on their devices!!! AAR is definitely adaptable!!! We bought it for struggling readers and we just skip lessons for my older kids!!! My youngest we do all the lessons!!! Idk if we would use it with her if we hadn’t got it as we skip a lot and she does awesome with TGTB!!! My oldest spends a lot of time doing sports or languages!!! He’d have a 4th language if he could think of what language he would learn!!! I find when my 2 gifted kids struggle they shut down and cry!!! My 2 gifted kids still love to chill and played a lot as younger kids!!! I’ve taught my older daughter to research extra stuff with science and I often look at the lessons and give her some rabbit trail ideas!!! My twin son feels less then and we’ve spoken about it and it came from school as his twin is gifted!!! He won’t speak much about it tho, I remind him that he’s homeschooling now!!!

[@SevenInAll]

It's an ongoing journey to figure out how to meet the unique needs of each child!

[@homeschool.pray.repeat]

This is why I have chosen Ambleside this coming school year. So hopefully my 2e can be mentally stimulated with more challenging things to think about that he’s reading about in his books. We can slow it down or speed it up. Hopefully that will be beneficial flexibility for him as well as my average learner.

[@SevenInAll]

Literature-based curriculums offer a lot of flexibility!

[@lauracampbell7644]

Great video, your thoughts are very helpful. I'm struggling with finding middle school-high school math and science for my daughter, since she hates video lessons. I really need to research this summer to find good fits for her.

[@SevenInAll]

I very much relate to the hatred of video lessons...there definitely are non-video based options out there but you have to search a little bit more because so many are drawn to video as a solution for middle and high school homeschooling...Apologia does middle school and high school science without video and I've heard good things about Novare science texts for middle and high school though I haven't actually seen those in real life myself.

[@marykmotherhood]

Your a great gem 💎 on this platform

[@SevenInAll]

:) Thank you, I appreciate hearing that!

[@thehudsonshub]

This is a great video, Rachel. I got some good tips!❤

[@SevenInAll]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@rochellearthur1395]

Fabulous tips!

[@SevenInAll]

Glad it was helpful!

[@adriana_aden]

Wonderful video! Thank you. I believe you recommend a Mandarin program for the youngest years. What was the name of that one again?

[@SevenInAll]

We're currently using "Little Chinese Learners." I will do an update with more details on that at some point, I wanted to get through a good amount of lessons first.

[@adriana_aden]

Thank you so much!

[@destinationdero]

Great tips. Have a great week.

[@SevenInAll]

Thanks for watching!

[@cherieteed7881]

Thank you so much . ❤

[@SevenInAll]

You're welcome 😊

[@pagemayrand4956]

thanks for this video! i wanted to ask what your thoughts are on montessori learning models for gifted kids (both homeschool and brick&mortar classroom settings), as well as if you have any thoughts on beast academy for math (and how early is too early for a gifted child)

[@SevenInAll]

I don't have experience with using Beast Academy so I don't know what I think of it in reality. The colorfulness and comic-book approach feels a bit chaotic to me but it must work well for some...I've thought about possibly adding it on for my son at some point just because he enjoys math but I'm also pretty happy with our current math routine. Regarding Montessori...I'm no expert on the philosophy, although I have read up on it a bit and talked about it with my sister who works in a Montessori preschool. I think there's some really neat aspects of the approach but I also feel like there are limitations. I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like most of the pedagogies/educational philosophies I'm familiar with seem to have some downsides/weaknesses when used in their purest form. I'm a fan of mixing and matching of ideas and practices to best meet the needs of a particular child vs. holding too tightly to one specific approach to education.

[@pagemayrand4956]

@@SevenInAll thanks! that's exactly how I feel about sticking too hard to one philosophy... I'm definitely a "grab the best parts of every method" kind of person too! haha. definitely validates my thinking when someone with more experience thinks the same way!

[@2nvinc]

This is so helpful. Thank you! Do you have any thoughts on or experience with the Myself and Others program? Feeling like I need to have a more explicit discussion around manners and social skills with my child and looking for something that is not based on a specific religion. Also, I would love any read-aloud book suggestions or recommendations you might have!

[@SevenInAll]

I've never seen that curriculum in real life, so I can't comment on it...but I do STRONGLY recommend having explicit teaching on manners and social/relationship skills with a gifted child, vs. simply expecting them to 'pick up' on what they see happening around them. The more analytical minds often benefit from that more logical, explicit approach to teaching the 'programming' involved in social interactions. This can happen through regular discussions explaining and analyzing these interactions if you aren't able to find the curriculum you're looking for. One of my favorite read alouds as a 'mirror' for gifted learners is "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch." Also, the classic Sherlock Holmes tales are very enjoyable once a child is old enough for the crime-related content.

[@nateandrosannaengebretson3996]

I love that book! Only discovered it two years ago. And that’s such an interesting use of it- helping kids learn not to “stumble on other people’s slowness.”

[@marykmotherhood]

Oh my The signs are quite too familiar for me. My child shares deep opinions on things and leads at the age of 2. 😮 5:05

[@SevenInAll]

Those are definite signs!

[@lisaroper421]

Ha! Love the acknowledgment of making movies, and not liking them 😂

[@SevenInAll]

I mean, give me a blog post any day of the week...but somehow I live in the age where video is king...

[@lisaroper421]

@@SevenInAll Yeah-- I feel similarly. I miss being able to read at my own pace, and without making noise. But! Current blogs are so ad saturated that I can hardly find the content sometimes! As well as their not being many of them around, comparatively.

[@Tamara-fz4wm]

​@@lisaroper421yes!! I 100% agree with this. Although I'm grateful that I can speed up KZbin at least.

[@jennythomas3985]

How do you get your gifted kids to play with toys?

[@SevenInAll]

Good question--I'd say making sure the toys are actually interesting and level-appropriate to them. I will say I wasn't the biggest "toy" person as a child...I loved books and I loved handicrafts but as the eldest sibling I did play with toys to help entertain my siblings. Having a purpose to play always motivated me.

[@zahrayoder5049]

Appreciate everything shared in this video, thank you Very much. My key takeaway among all the gems shared, was to help children KNOW themselves! That some things may be easy while other things may be hard, and that’s okay!