Headache and creativity: How gifted people live in Neuwied!

Headache and creativity: How gifted people live in Neuwied!

In the region around Neuwied, an often overlooked topic is coming into focus: the special challenges and experiences of gifted children. Almost 25 years ago, Helga Thieroff, an educator from Windhagen, showed the way to offer these talented young people suitable support by founding the children's college - Gifted Center Rhineland-Palatinate. But the question remains: What does it actually mean to be gifted and what problems can arise from it?

Giftedness is often romanticized, but the reality is often different. Children with exceptional abilities not only experience positive aspects, but also struggle with special challenges. These can range from under-challenge and boredom in regular schools to psychological stress such as headaches and depression, which are often caused by the feeling of isolation and misunderstanding in their environment. Gifted children often feel pressure to live up to expectations, which can take a toll on their psyche.

The voices of the highly gifted

A conversation with the region’s young “child prodigies” reveals deeper insights into their personal experiences. A 12-year-old boy who started secondary school early describes how he often feels like he is not understood by his peers. “It's difficult to talk to people who think about things that I've long since left behind,” he says. In addition, many of these children report a constant feeling of being underchallenged, which leads to great boredom and frustration.

Another example is a girl who received professional support in mathematics. She happily performs her mathematical calculations, but behind that joy lies the pressure to always get the best grade. “I'm afraid that one day I won't be good enough anymore,” she admits. Such fears are not uncommon and raise the question of whether the current education system is able to adequately address the needs of gifted children.

Helga Thieroff talks about the motivation behind founding the children's college. “It was clear to me that these children needed to be offered a place where their talents could be nurtured without endangering their mental health,” she explains. Their facility not only promotes children's intellectual abilities, but also social and emotional skills that are crucial for healthy development.

This type of support is crucial to strengthening children's self-confidence and sense of social belonging. The philosophy of the children's college aims to accept children in their individuality and help them to fully exploit their potential without the pressure that often arises in society. “I want kids to understand that it’s okay to be different,” Thieroff adds.

Giftedness is a complex issue that goes far beyond academic performance. The emotional and psychological support of these children is just as important as their intellectual development. The children's college offers programs that promote exchange among children and help them to better understand and deal with their own feelings.

Ultimately, the goal is for gifted children to not only realize their academic potential, but also to grow into happy and healthy individuals. Their needs must be taken seriously to prevent them from being lost in a system that does not understand them. To find out more about the challenges and how to deal with gifted people, you can access the article from ga.de, which offers more detailed information about the lives of gifted people in the region.