MANDY SMITH
Like many other 8-year-old boys, Michael Demetrius loves losing himself in a good book, preferably involving aliens, adventures and bugs. But Michael's reading, comprehension, retention and social skills are above and beyond those of his peers - he is a gifted child.
"He started speaking at one, and by
two he was reading and reciting books," mother Cynthia Demetrius said.
"But he was the first child so we didn't know any different."
At school, Michael was polite and well-mannered, but bored. He always wanted more information about topics and, if teachers couldn't help him, he'd look it up in an encyclopaedia, she said.
An assessment last year revealed Michael had above-average abilities, especially in retention.
"They said please do not repeat anything to this child," Mrs Demetrius said.
He began attending One Day School, run by the George Parkyn National Centre for Gifted Children, last year - "the highlight of his week" - and is home-schooled during the rest of the week.
"I like one day school because we get to do different things, like making pharoahs out of fruit," Michael said. One Day School regional co-ordinator Jo Laurie said parents were often adept at knowing if their child was gifted. High PAT scores revealed just as much as a quirky sense of humour, or the ability to concentrate for long periods.
It was important to identify gifted children young, otherwise they began to conform, she said. "And that's an opportunity missed because these people have the potential to be real innovators."
Hastings' One Day School caters for pupils aged six to 12 who perform in the top 5 per cent in their area of ability. Children often go on to accelerate programmes at college.
* Hastings' One Day School is having an open day on Friday May 25. For more information contact Jo on 877 1512.
