New program for gifted kids 0
A new organization is forming to help gifted children in the Rocky View area.
The Rocky View Action for Gifted Children is a parent association that aims to provide support for parents and education for gifted children.
Coren Jones, from the Rocky View Action for Gifted Children, said the group formed because gifted children can be hard to raise and parents needed a way to help communicate with their children.
"We're there as a support mechanism for these parents," Jones said.
Jones said that the parents had to come together to form a group that would help their children.
"It's up to me to ensure that my child gets what she needs from school," she said.
A gifted learner is identified as a child who gives evidence of high achievement capability in intellectual, creative, artistic and leadership areas, or in specific academic fields.
Jones said that sometimes, gifted students can become bored and unmotivated in regular classrooms, which may result in bad study habits or distrust of the school environment.
Earlier this year, the organization approached the Rocky View School division to ask for specialized programs and clustering for their children.
Jones said that clustering in particular would be beneficial because "having these children together in a class will help them emotionally."
She said that gifted children sometimes have trouble socializing, and clustering will help give them a peer support group.
Specialized programs would help keep the children focused, Jones added. She said it is important for these children to remain motivated and challenged in school so that they can reach their full potential.
"We have kids that could potentially cure cancer or be the next Einstein," Jones said. "We want to catch them before they fall through the cracks."
The association is currently awaiting approval for government funding, but is holding its first fundraiser, a poker tournament, on Oct. 17.
The funds will go towards teacher training and extra resources to help teach gifted children.