By Katie Sanborn, Office Manager
The holidays are upon us and with that comes school closures. Gifted children tend to have a strong desire and need for intellectual stimulation, and that need doesn’t go away when schools are closed. Below are three ways parents can help foster positive social and academic growth during the holiday break:
1. Cultural Excursions
Take a trip to a local museum, science center, aquarium, theatre, planetarium or garden to provide your child with a learning experience. If time and budget allow, consider planning a day trip or vacation to a historical site. Local libraries often offer free activities and events, so be sure to check your local library’s calendar. Remember to be flexible, as some children require time to process and adjust to new environments.
2. Home Improvement
Take advantage of an extra set of hands, and a curious mind, by implementing a home improvement project while your gifted child is home. Children interested in technology and science could help figure out the best ways to save energy in your household. Other project ideas include furniture assembly, closet or garage organization, cleaning, composting or yard work.
3. Volunteer
Volunteering provides many benefits to both mental and physical health, which are not just perks for gifted students but for everyone. There are many ways one can volunteer during the holidays, which include hosting a toy or canned food drive, serving meals at a soup kitchen, adopting a family or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.
You can also research additional ideas on IEA’s Gifted Resource Center, which includes Gifted Programs and Services and Educational Opportunities for gifted learners.
Lastly, it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and for many gift giving is part of the season. Please support IEA by making Amazon purchases through IEA’s AmazonSmile. A portion of your purchase will be donated directly to IEA so we can continue providing high-quality programs and services to gifted youth nationwide.
Happy holidays!