In my other post I forgot about the importance of the Math camps. The post by mperrin says it all!!! My son is never happier than when he meets kids his age, he can actually talk to and be interested. Extremely important!!!
Michael Furmaniak
I have had a first hand experience with a gifted child and here are my comments:
1. My son was "discovered" as a gifted child quite late in his life. He was already 10 years old. The school system did not help him much (about this later) but fortunately he was assigned a mentor (mathematics) and was to get another mentor in computer science as well but it did not work. He always loved programing (started on his own at the age 9-10) and now is quite good (loves Perl).
2. I think that learning technology (including computers and programming) does not make any sense. My son (he is almost 15 now) concentrates on Mathematics. He is interested in physics as well (loves string theory and generally modern physics: the more abstract, the better) but he focuses on Math (he is preparing for a Canadian Math Olympic Team). He works with his mentor a few times a week but also corresponds with some university professors. He got quite a few good results in various Math contests. He is done with school math and is taking some classes a local university.
3. The school systems caters to average (or mediocre) students. On this continent self esteem of anyone is much more important than excellence. "Everyone is a winner". Take the child out of school. Let those stupid kids at schools torment someone else. This society hates those who do not have patience for stupidity (as illustrated in some replies to your question, as well)
4. Unless he is going to be a used car salesman or other type of business person, his social skills should come second to his intelectual skills. EQ was invented by social engineers who always want to keep low IQ people happy.
5. My son got his couple of black belts in martial arts but he considers team sports as a waste of time and generally prefers to read and solve math problems to doing anything else. I tried to almost force him to be more active in sport but it did not work. Again, Americans are obsessed with sport, teams and everything which works agains individual talents. Remember, averyone in this country has to have a high self esteem (even idiots).
6. We do need more intelligent, bright people. We do not need any more activists who want to change the world. Masses were never intelectual.
6. Here in Canada funding for gifted children comes from the same pool of money as for "special" children. This illustrates the whole problem. No comments.
I could get you in touch with the gentleman who takes care of my child. He is a very experienced and wonderful a person.
Regards,
Michael Furmaniak
Slashdot Mirror
In my other post I forgot about the importance of the Math camps. The post by mperrin says it all!!! My son is never happier than when he meets kids his age, he can actually talk to and be interested. Extremely important!!! Michael Furmaniak
I have had a first hand experience with a gifted child and here are my comments: 1. My son was "discovered" as a gifted child quite late in his life. He was already 10 years old. The school system did not help him much (about this later) but fortunately he was assigned a mentor (mathematics) and was to get another mentor in computer science as well but it did not work. He always loved programing (started on his own at the age 9-10) and now is quite good (loves Perl). 2. I think that learning technology (including computers and programming) does not make any sense. My son (he is almost 15 now) concentrates on Mathematics. He is interested in physics as well (loves string theory and generally modern physics: the more abstract, the better) but he focuses on Math (he is preparing for a Canadian Math Olympic Team). He works with his mentor a few times a week but also corresponds with some university professors. He got quite a few good results in various Math contests. He is done with school math and is taking some classes a local university. 3. The school systems caters to average (or mediocre) students. On this continent self esteem of anyone is much more important than excellence. "Everyone is a winner". Take the child out of school. Let those stupid kids at schools torment someone else. This society hates those who do not have patience for stupidity (as illustrated in some replies to your question, as well) 4. Unless he is going to be a used car salesman or other type of business person, his social skills should come second to his intelectual skills. EQ was invented by social engineers who always want to keep low IQ people happy. 5. My son got his couple of black belts in martial arts but he considers team sports as a waste of time and generally prefers to read and solve math problems to doing anything else. I tried to almost force him to be more active in sport but it did not work. Again, Americans are obsessed with sport, teams and everything which works agains individual talents. Remember, averyone in this country has to have a high self esteem (even idiots). 6. We do need more intelligent, bright people. We do not need any more activists who want to change the world. Masses were never intelectual. 6. Here in Canada funding for gifted children comes from the same pool of money as for "special" children. This illustrates the whole problem. No comments. I could get you in touch with the gentleman who takes care of my child. He is a very experienced and wonderful a person. Regards, Michael Furmaniak