How parents can support their Young Gifted & Talented children at home

For parents of gifted or talented children, finding out that their child is gifted or talented can be very rewarding. There is plenty of help and support available for parents to best enable them to encourage their child reach their full potential.

The Young Gifted & Talented Programme (YG&T) was launched in September 2007, managed by CfBT Education Trust on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The aim of the programme is to provide exciting opportunities and resources for gifted and talented learners aged 4 to 19 in England.  The YG&T web portal ygt.dcsf.gov.uk is packed full of resources for learners and advice and guidance for parents and carers. Discussion forums, programme updates and a library containing articles, bulletins and information on a range of gifted and talented issues are all available for parents of gifted and talented learners.

YG&T is not only a scheme to help children who are gifted in academic subjects such as maths, science and English, but is also designed to provide talented learners who have a particular ability in sport, music, design or creative and performing arts with additional support to help them reach their full potential. The YG&T online learner catalogue provides a wide range of courses and activities as well as a number of engaging resources. Weekend, residential and day courses covering subject areas ranging from maths, English, geography and science to anthropology, dance, drama and sport are available as well as vocational and entrepreneurial activities with many having a cross-curricular focus.

The Programme aims to widen opportunities for young people across all socio-economic groups, giving learners a sense of self worth and motivation, which helps to support the raising of standards. 

Elise Lewis, Programme Director for The Young Gifted & Talented Programme commented “If you believe your child is gifted or talented, knowing where to look for extra support can be difficult.   We suggest that parents speak to their child’s school Gifted and Talented Coordinator about registering their child as a member of the Young Gifted & Talented Programme. All members of the YG&T programme can take advantage of the provisions for gifted and talented students made available by schools and Local Authorities. Parents should contact their child’s school or the Lead Gifted and Talented Coordinator in their Local Authority to find out what activities there are regionally, and how your child can get involved with activities and resources which help to stretch and challenge gifted and talented students.”

As well as courses and resources available as part of the Young Gifted &Talented Programme, parents should also look into extra curricular enrichment activities for their child. If your child is talented in art find a local art class or club they can join or if they show skill at a sport find a local team to help foster emerging talent. Local leisure centres, libraries and local newspapers are all good places to look for clubs and teams your child can join. For children who show an aptitude for academic subjects look for afterschool clubs and investigate resources which will engage your child at home.

Elise Lewis continued “The YG&T portal has plenty of resources and games which learners can explore in their own time such as the newly launched simulation-style game called Eco-Builder where students are able to design and build their own sustainable community. There are also some great educational toys, books and DVDs out there for parents looking to support their gifted or talented children. The National Association of Gifted Children, www.nagcbritain.org.uk offers plenty of resources available for parents to use at home and is well worth visiting.”

For learners who have been identified as gifted or talented children it is vital they receive support in school as well as at home and are provided with will the resources necessary for them to excel. By offering support, encouragement and getting involved in what your child is doing, parents can really make a difference and help their child to shine.

For more information about the Young Gifted and Talented Programme visit:  http://ygt.dcsf.gov.uk

YG&T Programme:

The Young Gifted and Talented Programme (YG&T) is the core of the national programme for gifted and talented education, funded and supported by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). YG&T is dedicated to providing exciting opportunities and resources for gifted and talented learners aged 4 to 19 in England, both in and out of the classroom. Gifted describes learners who have the ability to excel academically in one or more subjects such as English, maths or technology.

Talented learners have the ability to excel in practical skills such as sport, leadership, artistic performance, or in an area of vocational skill. The focus of the programme is to make sure that learners have every opportunity to recognise, use and develop their gifts and talents, wherever they come from and whatever school or college they attend. The programme also aims to encourage young people to raise their aspirations as well as realise their potential, regardless of background. Offering a broad spectrum of information and resources, the programme is readily accessible through a single online portal: Ygt.dcsf.gov.uk