Children with exceptional intellectual abilities

It is a well-known fact that learning is an integral part in the life of all people. In fact, if someone wants to make one’s way in the world, obviously, they need some education, at least basic one. But no doubt, all people are different, hence they have different intellectual abilities. For example, some may be good at anything while others are keen only on a few subjects. What is more, there are people whose intellectual development goes much quicklier than their age—these are often called children-prodigy.

Personally I don’t know such people but recently I’ve an interesting article about a girl named Ruth Lawrence, who sat the entrance exam for St. Hugh’s College and was offered a scholarship from it. Actually, there wouldn’t have been anything unusual in it, if there hadn’t been said that the girl began to read at four and started academic subjects at five. What is more, Ruth has all-round abilities: she is keen on English, History, Geography, Nature Study and many other subjects; but her major is Math. Besides, she plays the piano and has quite a wide range of interests. But the most unusual fact is that Ruth has never attended school, because her parents decided to educate Ruth at home. In fact, they enjoyed teaching her and seemed to have made quite a good progress in it. Her father suppose that Ruth doesn’t work harder that other children of her age, but concentrates only on her favorite subjects. Moreover, he expects her daughter to take further degree and would be able to become a research professor in Math. The principle of the college also very excited about Ruth and her future tutor admits that taking such a young student is a great responsibility, and he will do his best to tailor the teaching to Ruth’s requirements.

In my opinion, it was rather thoughtlessly of Ruth’s parents to educate her at home. Actually, they made a great mistake, because they deprived her of a real childhood and the possibility to mix with her peers. Of course, on the one hand Ruth might get to the top and become a famous respectful professor of Math, but on the other hand, she might come across with great difficulties in socializing with other people, as she spent too much time on her own.

In conclusion I would like to add that such thing as home-schooling is vestige of the past and it mustn’t exist in modern society. I rather think that every child should attend school, because it gives them not only basic education—it is a place where children can develop their relationships, tolerance and mutual respect. It also helps them to develop critical thinking, independence of character, equips them with the confidence to face the realities of adult life.

Поиск по сайту: