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by Kathleen Julicher

What does a child with a high energy level look like? One child may have a behavior pattern which looks like Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). Another child may spend long hours working on a project without break. Still another needs to be "in on" everything happening around her. Usually, it is sometime in babyhood when a parent first notices the problem. Baby may "never" sleep, or only for short periods. Little one may follow mom around on all fours, which doesn't sound so bad to this grandmother, but which can be very distracting. An older child may always want attention, to be "entertained", or to be investigating something. These children are normal gifted youngsters and simply have high energy levels. Teach them to make use of that energy for constructive purposes and you will have given them a gift.

Using a standard curriculum which has been designed for the normal child in a normal classroom can cause problems. In a previous issue we discussed the asynchrony of gifted children and have gone over some ideas about how to accelerate them, by testing and compacting. But what about the energy? Just running to keep up with a toddler is not enough. We must be able to harness that energy so that we can keep up, so that the child actually learns something, and so that he isn't always getting into trouble. All of these things can apply to a three year old, but as any mother of gifted teens knows, they can also be true for older children.

Here are some ways to direct the energy:

Get the child involved in the learning process. If you don't know what he is interested in, ask. Is he interested in electronics (and you know nothing about the topic)? Then let him investigate the field and report back to you. Become a facilitator instead of a teacher.
Look for texts at higher levels. For example, a bright fifth grader may be able to use a low ability (or large print) high school level text. This does several things: the child knows that you are serious about him being challenged, and the child has the feeling that it really is OK to be different. In addition, the child is learning something different, not simply reading about what he already knows.
An example of using higher level texts: A student who was doing well in prealgebra, bought a college algebra text instead of as Algebra I text. Nothing is lost and much may be gained. Another example: Using a high school history text allows the child to read about the motivations behind past events, something she would not find in a third grade text.
Physical activity is very important for our young people. Provide an outlet for excess energy and help your student stay on task. Suddenly "Hop up and do 25 jumping jacks." or " Do a quick 25 push-ups." A short interlude like this is good for refocusing.
For energetic children with intense emotional reactions, try good soothing background music during school time. Teach them to play an instrument and give them time to play with it without music.
Don't forget the old standbys of food control (sugars, dyes, preservatives, allergies, etc.) and house rules (Don't put your feet on the furniture, etc.).

What about the distractable child who has energy but still doesn't get his work done? Many gifted children are very aware of the world about them. A gifted child can be supersensitive; that is, his senses may be more acute than normal. Here are some old-time teacher techniques for keeping a child on track and focused.

Remove everything from the desk except the piece he is working on.
Use a kitchen timer to give him time awareness.
Study the same thing in the same place everyday (or every time you do that subject) Note: Don't use the bed for schoolwork.
Break up the assignment into manageable subtasks.
Use an assignment list.
Have him be accountable to someone else for work done. Just a weekly report works well.
Give him time to daydream, but not during Latin.
Use his distractability for educational purposes: Ask him random questions requiring creative answers (not-memory). The creative thinking required will usually help keep him working at the other task, too.
Use oral work instead of written.
Allow him a chalkboard so that he can work standing.

A gifted child may have a very high energy level which can cause a problem in homeschool. These techniques can help with your energetic child. Please write or e-mail if you have other ideas which work. Remember that energy is good, more energy is better, and, like other gifts, is a gift from God.

For more information on this topic: see www.gifteddevelopiment.com, the Internet site, or write Linda Silverman at The Gifted Development Center, 1452 Marion Street, Denver, CO 80218. 1-303-837-8378.

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March 12, 2008

Homeschooling The Energetic Gifted (or any) Child