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This portfolio documents an investigation of the nature of giftedness during the early childhood period of birth to eight years. It provides an in-depth exploration of a number of developmental domains including social, emotional, spiritual and cognitive development. Aspects of play and learning for young gifted children are also investigated. The use of both child and parent voices provide insight to the realities of the lived experience of being young and gifted. The insights that emerged from the research are subsequently used to challenge aspects of early childhood pedagogy frequently evident within western approaches to early childhood education such as the developmentalist discourse traditionally used to inform early childhood policy and practice. The findings of the study suggest that to ensure responsive education for young gifted children early childhood educators need to reconceptualise the child and the relationship between the three protagonists of child, family and educator. Collaboration between the three protagonists can facilitate the provision of opportunities for in-depth investigation and abstraction within early childhood curricular that can empower young gifted children in their search for complexity and connection during the early childhood years. / Doctor of Education (D.Ed.)

According to research, the academically gifted child may not have his/her educational needs met in a classroom with his/her age mates. This study was an investigation of the impact of mentorship on academically gifted students in an attempt to adjust curriculum to reflect what the identified gifted child i s ready to learn. There is little theoretically-based research on the impact of mentorship on children with advanced academic capabilities. It was hypothesized that academically gifted students who received individualized instruction from a mentor would show positive changes i n motivation and that this teaching approach would further enhance their academic proficiency. Learning satisfaction would also be a result of participation in a mentorship program. A multi-case study methodology was employed, including four identified gifted students. Replication of results across cases illustrates an overall improvement in academic competency and motivation. The children involved learned a great deal, evolved as motivated students and had a noticeable sense of satisfaction from participating in the program. Conclusions justify the need for curriculum modification for academically advanced children.

Special classes for gifted students began in North America in the late 19th century. Since that time, educators have directed much attention towards the special needs of students with gifts and talents. Nevertheless, compared the education of children with disabilities, programs for the education of the gifted have been sprinkled throughout our country on a small scale at best. Funding has always been tenuous and gifted education has been, and is, considered margianl to mainstream education. / vii, 111 leaves ; 29 cm.

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