Concept-based Learning - An Efficient Method to Organize Learning Process

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Hi,
It is the dawn of another New Year! It signifies a new beginning and the onset of new hopes, aspirations and fresh goals. The New Year brings lots of hope, encouragement and kudos to our newsletter too. Educating and empowering parents with practical tips, suggestions, and timely articles are the main goals of this newsletter. Unfortunately, I could not publish the last few newsletters because of some unforeseen reasons (actually, I began to slack off near the end of the year). I apologize for the delay in publishing the first newsletter of the New Year too. Anyway, have a great week ahead!

Thought for today:
"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." - Lady Bird Johnson, former U.S. first lady

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Concept-based Learning - Useful Techniques to Boost Learning in Children
Concepts are excellent tools to boost learning. Although the ability to understand different concepts is still rudimentary in children, parents can use useful and effective techniques to train their children to learn in a conceptual way. Read the article to learn more.

Q1: I have been told by an ex teacher that my 33 month toddler may be gifted, but I am not sure. My toddler spent a couple of hrs playing with her. I have only one child and haven't had much experience with kids. So your opinion would be much appreciated.

My toddler knew the alphabet upper and lower case by 16 months, and count count to 100 in three languages. I did not push her but she was always curious and interested, plus she would get bored.....

A: Based on your description, there is no doubt that your little girl has a number of distinct characteristics of an above average child. The teacher may have seen certain traits that stood out in her short observation to be able to make such a comment on her gifts..... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Advanced Abilities in a Toddler here.

Do you think these score are eligible for applying for Gifted and Talented program? I just want to find out whether it would be worthwhile to try out.

A: Depending on where you are, in most cases, the cut-off for an entry into the G&T programme is 125 full IQ score onwards. As the competition is stiff, in practice, only students who score in the 99th percentile on a standardised or approved intelligence and/or achievement test are considered. Some programmes that have siblings already enrolled may also have a better chance for a seat.... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Eligibility for Gifted & Talented Programme here.

Q3: My son has taken the WISC-IV twice... once at age 6 and once at age 10. The first time he took it, he received a GAI score of 144. The second time, he received a GAI score of 133. Is this type of variance normal? What does it mean?

A: Briefly, the GAI (from WISC-IV) provides an estimate of general cognitive ability that is less sensitive to the influence of working memory and processing speed. In the WISC-IV, this may be used as a substitute for Full Scale IQ (FSIQ) to determine eligibility for programmes. Due to the fact that the processing speed index (PSI) and working memory index (WMI) of the WISC-IV are not the best indicators of intellectual ability, it is disregarded when assessing for giftedness and it is not uncommon to only report the GAI... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Decline in The General Ability Index (GAI) Score here.

Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential
By Peg Dawson, EdD and Richard Guare, PhD

The latest research in child development shows that many kids who have the brain and heart to succeed lack or lag behind in crucial “executive skills”--the fundamental habits of mind required for getting organized, staying focused, and controlling impulses and emotions. Learn easy-to-follow steps to identify your child's strengths and weaknesses, use activities and techniques proven to boost specific skills, and problem-solve daily routines.

There's nothing more frustrating than watching your bright, talented son or daughter struggle with everyday tasks like finishing homework, putting away toys, or following instructions at school. Your “smart but scattered” child might also have trouble coping with disappointment or managing anger. Drs. Peg Dawson and Richard Guare have great news: there's a lot you can do to help.

Methods and Materials For Teaching The Gifted
By Frances Karnes, PhD and Suzanne Bean, PhD

Methods and Materials for Teaching the Gifted, 2nd Edition offers strategies and resources for differentiating instruction for gifted learners. The book acts as an excellent introduction to gifted education curriculum planning, instructional unit design, evaluation, and teaching methods. This new edition expands upon the best-selling first edition with new chapters and fully updated information and research.

The chapters of this comprehensive textbook are written by respected leaders in the field of gifted education. The authors review the needs of gifted learners, curricular planning and evaluation, instructional practices, and ongoing enhancement and support of gifted programs.

Read/Talk/Sing -- To Build Strong Brains in Very Young Children
Huffington Post Dec 31, 2013

We now know that the first three years of life are the years when the brains of children build their internal connections and become strong.

A good night's sleep helps a child make connections
Register Guard Jan 20, 2014

Now that the holidays are over and the unique and exciting activities surrounding them have come and gone, it's a good time to help children get back into regular schedules.

Good Parenting Heals Your Child's Brain
Hitche MD Jan 21, 2014

Surprisingly, when matching up the parents' behavior to their child's brain size, it became clear that the kids with the supportive parents had a hippocampi & amygdalae that were completely normal.

Cool facts about the human brain
VOXXI Jan 21, 2014

The human brain is more than just that thing we use to solve complex math problems during our high school years; our brains are the computers that tell our bodies what to do, a complex network of electrical impulses that decide who we are and how we approach our day-to-day lives. Despite the universal acceptance that the brain is important, not a lot of people know much about it.

Reading crucial to child's development
Lincoln Times News Jan 15, 2014

Fewer than half of young children in the United States are read to daily. In most states, minority and low-income children are less likely to be read to every day. As a result, many children from low-income families enter kindergarten with a listening vocabulary of 3,000 words while many children of middle/upper income families enter with a listening vocabulary of 20,000 words

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