How to keep gifted children challenged over summer break
TUESDAY, MAY 05, 2015 10:07 AM

Gifted children are pretty rare - according to the National Association for Gifted Children, they make up about 6 to 10 percent of the U.S. student population (from kindergarten to 12th grade). But what does gifted mean exactly? Though there's not one definition used by everyone, gifted children are typically those with higher-than-average IQ scores and/or a natural aptitude for one or more subjects. And because they're both rare and typically more intelligent than many other students in their schools, gifted children often have a hard time staying challenged in the classroom. So, if they can't stay challenged in school, you can imagine how difficult it is for them to remain mentally sharp over summer vacation.

Several studies have shown that summer vacation can take a toll on students' IQ scores, whether they're highly intelligent or not. According to a research paper published in the journal American Psychologist, various schooling factors can affect children's IQ scores, one of which is the amount of time they take off during the summer. With each passing month out of school, IQ scores clearly decline, and although the loss of IQ is minimal, it can affect students' academic performance in the fall. This begs the question: How can parents keep gifted children challenged and mentally engaged during the summer? Here are a few ideas:

Let them lead the way
Summer break is a good opportunity to let children delve deeply into some of their favorite subjects, rather than splitting their focus between everything they're learning in school. Ask them if there are any subjects they want to explore, and see if you can find any summer camps or activities that they can get involved in.

Find fun day trips
Brainstorm some educational activities you and your family can do during the summer to keep everyone mentally engaged. Check out local museums, historical attractions, libraries and anywhere else you think could provide an interesting experience. Visit one or two a week, and end your trips with family discussions about what each person learned during the experience or what they'd like to learn on a return visit.

Allow some free time
Gifted children may have higher IQ scores than their peers, but they're socially at the same age and maturity level as the other students in their class. That said, try not to over-schedule your children during the summer months and allow them to have some free time. Interacting with others their own age can help increase their social skills and potentially even their overall emotional intelligence.