Why is SmartGames so popular among gifted children?

Help! Help! What do you mean by help? “Having a gifted kid is awesome!” “They’ll be able to do well in school!” When parents (dare) tell their gifted child, they often get this reaction. The prejudices…

(Guest author: Kristel van Eijk, Hoogbegaafd de Podcast & Hoogbegaafd de Retreat)

What comes to mind when you hear ‘highly talented’? You may think of a little dorky kid with glasses and a computer, or a math genius playing chess, piano, and being socially awkward. We can’t blame you. This is the stereotypical picture that the media presents.

But… highly intelligent children are much more than just a high IQ. When defining highly intelligent, a high IQ is the only thing that consistently comes up. If you have a IQ over 130, you’re considered gifted. Your IQ is considered exceptional if it exceeds 145.

Today, we know more about high intelligence than two decades ago. Now we know that a superfast mind is not the only thing involved. There are also a whole ‘way to be’ and a set of characteristics. They are often perfectionists who set (unnecessarily high) standards for themselves. They have an excellent sense of justice, are highly sensitive and often are critical thinkers. This theory is from Dr. Tessa Kieboom, an expert at Extentra in Belgium (Center of expertise for high intelligence).

This is why SmartGames are so popular with gifted children. The ‘Hoogbegaafd Podcast,’ a podcast that focuses on information about gifted children, conducted a social media survey to find out how often children use their SmartGames. They take them everywhere, on road trips or trains, while waiting at the doctors, etc. Parents usually learn about SmartGames from others. This could be a physiotherapist for their children, a teacher or another parent. These games are easy to spot and often given as gifts because they look different than other games on the shelves.

In the results of our poll, we also found that SmartGames were used to combat boredom in highly intelligent children. Finally, they have a game which challenges their cognitive abilities and is not ‘done immediately’. It’s also a good tool for learning to focus. Several parents have confessed to secretly enjoying these games (and we completely understand! ).

The results of the poll revealed how professionals use SmartGames. On the question about how SmartGames are used, a teacher replied: “We use them to enrich math lessons for example. We provide a progress sheet for the children. We encourage children to stick with SmartGames until they reach a certain level.

Mirjam Najjar, (Specialist High Intelligence) from Meyis Praktijk BegaafdheidMeyis Praktijk Begaafdheid said: “These games are not only attractive but they also stimulate problem solving. As the complexity level increases, so do the games. The brain’s control functions are crucial for achieving goal-directed behavior. It is important to plan ahead, look carefully and consider all the factors. These games are calming, and I can see how kids relax after a day of stimulation. I place a great deal of importance on the gameplay and provide feedback about their perseverance, their strategy and their ability when stuck to ask for assistance. It’s okay for you to ask for assistance.”