We aren't called Covington Latin School for nothing!  As a classical school, the study of Latin is at the core of what we do.  Latin has been shown to have several cognitive benefits that can affect the brain in various ways. 

Here are a few examples:

Vocabulary Expansion: Latin is the root of many modern English words and is often used in science and medicine, so studying Latin can greatly expand a person's vocabulary and understanding of words.

Improved Grammar: Latin is a highly inflected language, meaning that the endings of words change to reflect grammatical relationships. This can help students better understand the grammar of their own language, leading to improved writing and speaking skills.

Better Critical Thinking: Latin requires students to analyze texts, identify root words, and make connections between words. This helps develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are transferable to other subjects and areas of life.

Improved Memory: Latin requires memorization of vocabulary, conjugations, and declensions, which can help improve overall memory function.

It's important to note that the effects of studying Latin on the brain are not limited to these examples and can vary from person to person. However, in general, the study of Latin can provide many benefits to the brain and overall cognitive function.

Do you have an absent-minded professor for a child?  Do they lack organizational skills that prevent them from being successful academically?  Many students struggle with these executive functioning skills. Executive functioning is a set of cognitive skills that are important for success in daily life, including goal-directed behavior, problem-solving, working memory, attention, and self-regulation. While it can be frustrating at times, there are strategies that can help your child to build these skills.  At Covington Latin School, we develop these skills in our Prep and Form I grades through our history classes. CLS also offers classes after school that delve further into executive functioning skills for our students. 

If your child struggles with executive functioning, here are some strategies for your child:

Modeling: Demonstrate and explicitly explain the steps involved in goal-directed behavior, problem-solving, and self-regulation. This helps students understand what they should be doing and why.

Break tasks into smaller steps: For complex tasks, break them down into smaller, more manageable steps and provide support and guidance along the way.

Use visual aids: Visual aids, such as flowcharts or checklists, can help students stay on track and organize their thoughts.

Practice and repetition: Repetition and practice are key to developing executive functioning skills. Encourage students to practice what they have learned through games, activities, and real-life scenarios.

Self-reflection: Encourage students to reflect on their own behavior and thinking patterns. This helps them understand how they use their executive functioning skills and identify areas for improvement.

Provide feedback: Provide clear, specific, and constructive feedback on their use of executive functioning skills. This helps students understand how they are doing and what they need to work on.

Collaboration: Collaborative activities, such as group projects and discussions, can help students develop their executive functioning skills as they work together to achieve a common goal.

Incorporate technology: Technology can be a useful tool for developing executive functioning skills, such as apps that help with task management and organization.

Remember, the goal is to provide a supportive environment that encourages students to develop their executive functioning skills and to understand that it takes time and effort to see improvement.

Grade skipping, also known as academic acceleration, is the process of moving a student from one grade level to the next without completing the current one. While this may sound like a radical idea, research has shown that grade skipping can have a positive impact on a student's education and future success. Here are some of the key benefits of grade skipping:

Challenging Curriculum: Grade skipping allows students to move ahead to more challenging and stimulating coursework, which can help them develop their skills and knowledge at a faster pace. This can be especially beneficial for gifted and talented students who may be bored or unchallenged in their current grade level.

Social Development: Grade skipping can help students to develop stronger social skills by placing them in a more age-appropriate peer group. This can lead to better social integration and a more positive school experience.

Improved Self-Esteem: By successfully navigating more challenging coursework, students who have skipped a grade can develop a sense of confidence and competence. This can lead to improved self-esteem and a greater belief in their own abilities.

Preparation for College: By moving ahead academically, students who have skipped a grade are better prepared for the rigors of college. This can lead to more successful academic careers and improved prospects for the future.

Time Savings: By skipping a grade, students can complete their education more quickly, freeing up time for other pursuits, such as advanced study or internships.

It is important to note that grade skipping is not suitable for every student and should only be considered after careful evaluation. Factors such as a student's academic record, emotional and social maturity, and the opinions of teachers and parents should be taken into account when making this decision.

In conclusion, grade skipping can be a beneficial option for students who are academically advanced and seeking a more challenging educational experience. With the right support and guidance, students who have skipped a grade can achieve academic success and set themselves up for a bright future.  If you would like to learn more about Covington Latin School's approach to grade skipping, please contact us at admissions@covingtonlatin.org.

Classical education has been a fundamental part of Covington Latin School's philosophy for a century. It encompasses a comprehensive study of history, language, philosophy, mathematics, and the arts, providing individuals with a well-rounded understanding of the world and equipping them with critical thinking skills. In today's rapidly changing world, classical education is more important than ever as it provides a foundation for continued learning and personal growth. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of classical education and why it remains relevant in today's society.

Promotes Critical Thinking and Rationality

One of the most significant benefits of classical education is that it fosters critical thinking and rationality. By studying the classics, students are exposed to a wide range of perspectives, ideas, and worldviews, encouraging them to develop their own opinions and engage in meaningful discourse. This ability to think critically and logically is essential in today's complex and rapidly changing world, where individuals are faced with a plethora of information and must be able to analyze and evaluate it to make informed decisions.

Provides a Solid Foundation for Further Learning

Classical education provides a solid foundation for further learning and personal growth. By studying the classics, students gain a comprehensive understanding of history, language, and culture, which allows them to more deeply engage with the world around them. This foundation allows individuals to continue learning and exploring new topics with confidence, as they have a well-rounded understanding of the world and its history.

Encourages the Development of Virtues

Classical education is rooted in the idea that education is not just about gaining knowledge, but also about developing virtuous character. By studying the classics, students are exposed to the great thinkers and leaders of the past and learn about the virtues that they embodied, such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. This exposure helps to cultivate these virtues in students, making them well-rounded individuals who are capable of contributing to society in meaningful ways.

Prepares Students for Success in Today's Global Society

In today's global society, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of different cultures, languages, and historical events. Classical education provides students with this understanding, as it covers a wide range of subjects and perspectives, including Western and non-Western cultures. This knowledge is essential for success in today's interconnected world, where individuals must be able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds and understand their perspectives.

In conclusion, classical education is a valuable and timeless form of education that provides individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the world and equips them with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today's rapidly changing world. Its focus on critical thinking, rationality and virtuous character development makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking to invest in their personal growth and future success.  If you would like to learn more about how your child could benefit from a Covington Latin School classical education, please contact our admissions director. 

Citations:

"Classical Education: The Movement Sweeping America." The Heritage Foundation, 8 Mar. 2012, www.heritage.org/education/report/classical-education-the-movement-sweeping-america.

"The Benefits of a Classical Education." Great Hearts Academies, greatheartsamerica.org/the-benefits-of-a-classical-education/.

"The Importance of a Classical Education." The Claremont Institute, 14 Aug. 2015, www.claremont.org/crb/article/importance-classical-education/.

Gifted Children: Understanding and Nurturing Their Unique Talents

Gifted Children: Understanding and Nurturing Their Unique Talents

At Covington Latin, we often get asked about the term gifted and talented. Our child is doing well in their classes and seems to come by it naturally. How do we know if our child is gifted? The answer isn't always clear but by definition, gifted children are individuals who possess exceptional abilities or talents in one or more areas, including academics, creativity, leadership, and athletic skills. They often perform at a level significantly higher than their peers and require specialized educational and social support to reach their full potential. So how do you know if your child might be gifted?

Identifying Gifted Children:

Gifted children may demonstrate their exceptional abilities at an early age and continue to excel throughout their school years. However, not all gifted children are easy to identify, as their talents and abilities can take many forms. Some common characteristics of gifted children include:

• Advanced problem-solving skills

• Early development of language and communication skills

• A wide range of interests and intense curiosity about the world around them

• Advanced reasoning and abstract thinking abilities

• A tendency towards perfectionism and high standards for their own performance.

Nurturing the Talents of Gifted Children:

While gifted children have unique abilities, they also face unique challenges, including feelings of isolation and boredom in traditional classroom environments. To nurture their talents and support their overall development, it is important to provide them with:

• A challenging educational environment that fosters their intellectual and creative growth

• Opportunities to pursue their interests and passions

• Encouragement and support for taking risks and trying new things

• A supportive community of peers and mentors who understand and appreciate their unique abilities

Gifted children are unique and there is not a one size fits all approach to how best to fill their needs. As parents and educators, it is our responsibility to identify and support their talents. By providing them with the appropriate resources and opportunities, we can help them reach their full potential and make meaningful contributions to the world. This support might be in the form of acceleration either by subject or by grade skipping. It could also be by expanding their experiences beyond the classroom through enrichment classes.

In the coming weeks, we will be sharing information about giftedness, the challenges they may face, and the options that are available. Covington Latin School is committed to being a resource for your child at any age.

Now That's Funny

Sense of Humor in Gifted Children

One of the lesser-known identifiers for Giftedness is humor. While it may not be one of the biggest indicators like executive dysfunction, hyperfocus, or a large vocabulary, it is something to watch for. Typically, the jokes of children tend to mimic the jokes told by their parents. They may give nonsensical knock-knock jokes or repeat movie phrases to make you laugh. The gifted sense of humor; however, is quite different. 

The keen analytical and observational skills of the average gifted child create a plethora of opportunities for children to expand their thinking. A study published in The Journal for the Education of the Gifted Child states, “The results indicated that the gifted subjects performed significantly higher in spontaneous mirth response and comprehension than the general population group.” (Shade) Overall, gifted children could respond faster and with a more succinct answer than their peers. Because of their ability to react quickly and synthesize situations, gifted children are often seen as witty and as if they have a quip for everything. 

Along the same lines, sarcasm can be seen as a gifted indicator. When I was in one of my orientation meetings for teaching, the leader of the workshop stated emphatically that teachers cannot use sarcasm at all with their students. They worry that it will be interpreted incorrectly by our students. Teaching at a school for gifted and talented students, I’ve found that sarcasm is my personal greatest resource in my classroom. While my classroom is an anomaly, it seems as if it may be indicative of a larger trend in gifted education. 

Another trend in gifted education is disruptive behavior in the classroom. The “class clown” is a common role that students may take on simply because they are bored. In Sandra Manning’s article she explains, “Especially if left unidentified for an extended period, gifted students resort to class clown status out of boredom. This is not the fault of the child who is simply trying to cope with a sometimes torturous situation.” This so-called “tortuous situation” is often cited as the reason that students find themselves unable to focus on the task at hand. Many students with a hard time focusing are just labeled as “problem children” and are treated as such. 

With a focus on the sense of humor, quick wit, and sarcasm of the individual student, educators can more effectively identify gifted and talented students. When students are identified, they are more likely to be challenged in school and enjoy the process of learning, so keep on laughing it up! 

Our January Blog was written by Samantha Darpel, Director of ExploreMore! and teacher at Covington Latin School in Covington, Kentucky.

 

What is Gifted?

If you’re like most parents pondering this question, you’ve likely noticed a few things about your child that seem to be different from what you had expected. Maybe a teacher mentioned some things to you about your child’s classroom behavior. School may be different for your child from what you remember. It may appear that your child has a different perspective on things from you. The other kids in their age group may have a harder time relating to your child. Do any of these things sound familiar? Maybe they are “gifted.” 

There is a misconception that all gifted children are at the top of their class and are the smartest people in the world. The traits of gifted students go well beyond test scores. While that may be true, it’s not the best indicator of whether your child is gifted. There are a few things that may help to identify a gifted child. 

1. They have extreme interests or have an interest in everything. 

Lots of kids love to play with their toys or watch Star Wars movies. The piece of the puzzle that is indicative of giftedness is that these kids are often very focused on their interests. We call this hyperfocus. They will learn absolutely anything and everything they can about a topic. Just as it seems that they have learned everything that exists on their focus, it switches. 

Some topics that research has found that gifted kids often connect with include: dinosaurs, mythology, space, presidents, or a particular sport.

2. They have no idea how to keep organized.

The kids with the messiest rooms are often the kids with so much on their minds that cleaning feels like the last thing that they want to do. It can be like pulling teeth. At the same time, their lockers at school, toys on a shelf, or even their dinner plates are completely spotless. Executive functioning skills run low in a lot of these students because of the rate at which their minds move. The creative mind may find solutions to a lot of problems, but this is one of the most frustrating aspects of their (and their parents’) lives. 

3. They have a keen sense of self-awareness. 

At some point or another in everyone’s lives, they may feel as if they don’t fit in. That feeling normally sets in during middle school. For the gifted child, that feeling happens much, much earlier. While they may not understand why, they just know that the niche they fit into is not with most of their peers. Some kids take this and run with it: creating an air of self-assurance. They know that they are the smartest kid in the room. Other kids end up feeling withdrawn or quiet themselves around peers. 

4. They have ADHD or another learning ABILITY. 

Yes, we call these ABILITIES here at ExploreMore! Gifted. Over half of the students that are considered gifted and talented will also have ADHD, anxiety, nonverbal language disorder (NVLD), a processing issue, etc. This is called twice-exceptionality.

Many times this is because students are able to think so quickly that their emotions or focus cannot catch up. It’s totally normal and nearly expected, that a gifted student would have one of these other disorders or that their behavior mimics other learning disorders. Twice exceptionality brings with it some of its own challenges such as high functioning minds with little ability to perform in school, a restlessness that they cannot explain, disordered thinking and processing skills, extreme hyperfocus, and more. 

5. You feel exhausted. 

Parenting is hard enough. Add on top of that your child that doesn’t stop moving, asking questions, and monologuing about what is interesting to them, and you are left with very few moments of peace. You’re exhausted. That’s okay. The thing to remember is that you are doing great things; gifted kids need special parents that are able to adapt, think analytically, and, most of all, support their children. Remember not to be too hard on yourself because these kids are a reflection of you and your willingness to learn and encourage such a special kid. 

While this is by no means an exhaustive list, if you can identify your child with any of these things, your child could be gifted. Congratulations! While this list is by no means exhaustive, your child may be gifted and needs to be advocated for. Look for programs that will instill a love of learning and that will encourage them to explore. Thank you for all that you do to make their world just a little brighter.