I understand the theory of relativity, but school homework is difficult May 2, 11:45
"Understanding university-level mathematics in elementary school"
"Children who can play advanced violin songs for the first time" -Children
with excellent abilities in science, language, art, etc.
Many people are surprised by their outstanding ability, but when we talk to the children, they say that we are struggling with something unexpected.
What exactly does that mean?
(Otsu Broadcasting Station reporter Matsumoto string)
Elementary school students talking about quantum mechanics with Einstein
Satoshi-kun (pseudonym), a sixth grader living in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
Tomo loves reading and looks forward to reading specialized books after school.
At first, he seemed nervous and didn't speak much, but when he asked what he was interested in, the situation changed completely.
While drawing a picture of the Shinkansen, I started talking about Einstein's theory of relativity.
Tomo-kun (pseudonym)
"Imagine that there was a clock on the Shinkansen that ticks the time with a round trip of light. On the other hand, the same clock is also placed on the ground. When the Shinkansen starts running, the speed conditions will change. At times, when viewed from the outside, the light of the Shinkansen clock seems to shift and reciprocate. However, based on the principle that the speed of light does not change, the Shinkansen clock is slower from the outside. Will be on the way. "
I was surprised to see how he talked smoothly and steadily at a speed that I (reporter) couldn't catch up with.
Later, when I checked with an expert, I found that Tomo-kun had a correct understanding of the theory of relativity.
As a result of the intelligence test, Tomo-kun has an IQ (= IQ) of 150 in the field of "language understanding".
He is said to have excellent ability to read esoteric theories and sentences.
In addition to this, Satoshi-kun, who reads specialized books on quantum mechanics and learns programming to make games by himself.
The bookshelves at his home were lined up with books, and he read most of them.
Children called "gifted"
According to experts, children with special talents in a particular field, such as Tomo-kun in the United States, are called "gifted."
There are children who have excellent learning ability and who demonstrate high skills in art and music because they have the meaning of being "given their natural qualities".
Especially in the United States, there is a lot of education to develop the talents of such children, such as enabling "skipping" and "admission", and learning at a pace that suits the child. It means that you can receive support in various environments from an early age.
I understand Einstein, but my school homework is ...
Tomo-kun casually talks about the theory of relativity.
"It's amazing!" To me who wanted to say that, Tomo-kun told me that there were some things I wasn't very good at, and showed me my school homework.
This is a homework to summarize your impressions of the boat on Lake Biwa in class.
Most of the paper is left blank.
Tomo-kun can't write letters well by hand.
In addition, he says he has other difficulties.
That is, what he is thinking is difficult for the people around him to understand.
In some cases, he was perceived as "speaking braggingly," and gradually became harder to go to school.
Tomo-kun wants to study at his own pace and has been attending special needs classes since last year.
“My son feels lonely”
Tomo-kun's mother is said to be worried about the future.
Mother
: "My son really has a low sense of self-affirmation, he doesn't have any friends around him to talk to, and he doesn't appreciate what he can do in class. He said,'There is nothing good for me.' I felt lonely. Now I am in the support class (special support class), but I have had a lot of trouble communicating with the people around me, so when the environment changes due to going on to school in the future, my new friends I'm worried if I can do it inside. "
And the mother complained as follows.
Mother
"I think there are many children who seem to be able to study, but they are very hurt behind the scenes. However, the support cannot be supported by the power of their parents alone. The teacher's understanding of living a school life Is indispensable, and I think we need friends who can confide their worries. I want as many people as possible to know that there are such children. "
Children who "have both talent and difficulty" The country investigates the actual situation
In fact, there are many children like Tomo-kun.
Last year, the country launched a conference of experts to support "students with talent in specific fields."
There are more than 10 members, including university professors and representatives of NPOs nationwide.
In Japan, it was not fully discussed how to find and develop the talents of children, so we started to consider education and support measures for talented children.
And as part of that, last year, a questionnaire was conducted to find out the actual situation of children.
The target was children and students from elementary school to high school.
Compared to children and students of the same age, they are children who show a certain level of ability in intelligence, art, movement, academic ability of each subject, etc.
When we received responses on the Internet from August to September last year, we received about 800 responses from children, students, parents, and school teachers.
The questionnaire revealed that children are talented in a particular field, but also have difficulties.
Here are some examples of the talents children have:
▼ The momentum to finish junior high school math in the second grade of elementary school is showing an understanding of university level math
▼ Elementary school students can play advanced level songs with a violin at first sight
▼ Junior high school students listen to Chinese and English words Can be remembered once you hear it
On the other hand, the difficulties faced by children are pointed out as follows.
▽ I have to pretend I don't understand because speaking will destroy the atmosphere of the lesson ▽ I
felt that I needed to adjust to the surroundings, and I became afraid to put in knowledge
▽ The part different from everyone was emphasized, Easy to be the target of bullying
"A place where you can spend your time as it is"
How can children who have exceptional abilities but struggle in school or group life be themselves?
Efforts are also being made to support.
One of them, I visited the free school "Triumph" where children gather regularly in Otsu City.
The place is a townhouse in the shopping district of the city.
Children gathering one after another.
In a room with a homely atmosphere, each person works on his or her own interests, such as drawing colorful pictures and deepening his or her specialized knowledge of animals.
It is a picture drawn by a girl student who has excellent art ability.
Under the theme of "appearance", the contrasting figure of the girl looking into the mirror and the character reflected in it is drawn.
Schoolgirl
"If you give it a title, it's cute. I think you may be worried about your appearance, but from the perspective of others, I wanted to tell you that you're cute. For me, this free school is an important place to spend my free time. I can do what I like alone, but I can spend the same time with everyone. It's well-balanced and cozy. "
This is Satoshi Tanigawa, who runs this free school.
Although my child had a high level of ability in the field of music, I had the experience of being absent from school because of the burden of attending school.
From that experience, it is said that three years ago, this school was opened so that children do not have to adjust to their surroundings and spend their time.
Mr. Tanikawa
"I think there are a lot of children who are very interested in this field but not in this field. I think there are a lot of children who can stay as they are and feel relieved. I think the place is sought after. "
"A place for interaction between parents"
Not only children but also their parents are having troubles.
Mr. Tanikawa has also set up a "Parents' Association" where parents can interact with each other.
Mr. Tanikawa
"I think it's a child's worries = parents' worries. My child isn't familiar with school, I don't know what will happen in the future, and I can't see the path. I feel like I'm walking on a thorny path. Parents also feel lonely. "
On this day, an exchange meeting between parents was held online.
Parents who have troubles from all over the country will participate and talk about the troubles they are facing.
Parents who participated
"If you do not ask for the understanding of the children around you, even if there is a good point, it will collapse without being stretched. That is the most worrying thing."
Another guardian who participated
"I'm in a state where my child is being struck by friends around me. I've been looking for what exactly is suitable for this child, but I can't find the answer easily. There are various children. I just want society and schools to recognize
Mr. Tanikawa
"As children are born and raised without knowing anything, they have to follow the system and social common sense. I feel that the adults who create that society are still responsible. I think it is necessary to live happily in childhood, and I hope that will lead to happiness. "
"Various choices for children"
How should we support children who have both talent and difficulty?
Professor Emeritus Nobutaka Matsumura of Kansai University, who is a member of the National Council of Experts and is familiar with the talent education of children, says:
Professor Emeritus Matsumura
"I think that a few percent of all children are talented and in trouble, about one in the class. It may be that my child is not aware of it. It's a familiar problem."
Matsumura points out that Japan's education system needs to be improved so that each child can develop their abilities.
Professor Emeritus Matsumura
"In Japan's postwar education system, it has been fair and good for everyone to do the same content in the classroom, in the same way, and at the same speed. This idea is based on various home environments. It provided educational opportunities for children and contributed to raising the academic ability and culture of many children. However, while equality is emphasized, there is a sympathetic pressure to be in harmony with others. There will be children who are unfamiliar with it. Instead of fixing the way of learning, we will give children various options so that they can learn independently. I think that if there is such a support system, it will be easier for children to live little by little. increase"
In the future, the National Council of Experts will discuss the following issues in order to support children who are having trouble with learning and school life.
▼ How to find out the characteristics of talented children and how to give guidance
▼ How to enhance learning opportunities in collaboration with outside schools such as universities and private businesses, not limited to schools and classrooms
▼ Creating an environment to support Securing resources
And I want to come to a conclusion during this time.
“A wonderful society for the children of the future”
"I think children need to live happily in their childhood, and for that purpose, each adult must face each other."
Through interviews, Mr. Tanigawa, who opens a free school, said strongly. It was very impressive.
How to create a society where children can spend their time freely and demonstrate their abundant talents.
Discussions have just begun in Japan.
Tomo-kun's mother, who likes the theory of relativity, wants the children's understanding to expand as a result of the national expert meeting.
Tomo-kun's mother
"I think it would be great for both children and parents if the circle of support spreads to the field of education. It will be a society where adults can reach out to children who have difficulty living. It would be nice. I hope that the Council of Experts will be a step toward the children of the future. "
Otsu Broadcasting Station Reporter
Matsumoto Gen
Joined in 2018.
He continues to cover children, including incidents, accidents, and bullying issues.