How shall I handle my struggle in Co-op where no parents has gifted childern? ?

Question

My son is a higly gifted 10-year-old boy! He started reading when he was only 16 month, fluent in both Chinese and English, is studing Latin, Spanish, French and Japanese. He loves science and enven downloaded Yale open courses and beg me to allow him to learn those courses. He also loves playing piano and singing. He is curious to everything and is enthusiastic to learn everything. It's always hard for me to interprate how could he learn so many things! But he is so diffterent from the kids in his age group. I always has a pressue in our Co-op that many moms and kids mis-understand my son. for example, he is very sensitive to what's right and wrong so sometimes he points out teachers mistakes and be mis-understood as showing-off. I also have struggle at home. Although he's so quick in self-teaching, he's slow and careless in the assigned work. Pls give me some suggestions.

Answer 1

You have an Extemely Gifted child...the reason he is great with self-teaching is he KNOWS what stimulates his mind...his teachers obviously don't...the Assigned work is Boring him there is NO challenge, no stimulation...he Needs College Courses...have him tested at a Close By University...~~Aloha and Best of Luck~~

Check into MENSA

Answer 2

Send him to a magnet school for the gifted. I assume your co-op is a building where residents own their apartments and have a residential covenant as far as noise and disturbance and cleanliness standards?

Intellectual giftedness is nothing if you don't teach your child manners and social skills. He simply cannot be snotty to your neighbors and his teachers and expect them to just go along with it. It's not going to happen.

He needs to have some normal kid things in his life so he can relate to other people. Otherwise he'll be like that guy on Beautiful Mind and have huge problems relating to anyone.

Answer 3

It's alright. I don't know what a Co-op is, but I have had classmates that have some of the characteristics of your son (although not quite as impressive.)

The teachers are probably very pleased to have such an excellent student, but don't have the energy or intelligence to cater to his intellect. Again, be patient, and try to move into a school system with smarter teachers and smarter classmates.

Then, have him apply early decision to Columbia. Their Fu Foundation School of Science and Engineering specificially values talent and "innate ability," which seems to fit your son well.