It’s a case study of 6 year old boy with very high IQ and good in doing things too. He is a part of the family of achievers, every member of the family is excellent. But he was not ready to participate in any competition be is drawing, quiz, sports anything. His answer was I can do it easily, I don’t need to prove.
Before En-Reach Program:
Intelligent child kept to himself and did not participate in any competition or group activity
Pranav was an eight year old child born to parents, renowned for their professional achievements in the family. Pranav was intelligent, well behaved and obedient. His high IQ often got him good grades and ranks in school. But he was never a part of any competition- academic, extracurricular or sports. He never took part in any event whatsoever, even upon great insistence from his parents. Pranav often argued with his parents and teachers for the same, defending his decisions and actions. When asked a reason for such behavior, he used to say he considered such events/competition ‘worthless’. He mentioned, it did not matter to him if he won any prize or appreciation during such events. Pranav’s parents then decided to approach En-Reach Learning.
During En-Reach Program:
Parents discovered a new branch of communicating with Pranav
Parents came to En-Reach Learning Center. Their story was heard. A possible reason for Pranav’s non participation in school events boiled down to him not being able to understand the reason behind participation. It was suggested that the parents start conversing more and more with Pranav. Earlier, they used to avoid topics that might seem too mature for an eight year old. But it was advised that Pranav’s parents talk to him about a spectrum of things, including work issues. It might open doors to new avenues of conversations which might include Pranav expressing his thoughts.
After En-Reach Program:
Pranav realises his issue on his own, solves and overcomes it
Based on the things discussed during En-Reach workshops, Pranav’s parents, especially his mother started conversing more, that too diversely. One such situation happened when Pranav’s mother was filing an e-tender for a Government grant, in regards to a research project. She was working hard to obtain the tender. Pranav saw this and enquired about it. His mother explained, in the most basic language that why she was doing while she did it- ‘If I get this tender, I will get the job. If I get the job, we will get more money and can then buy greater things’. Pranav was really satisfied with the explanation. On the day of the result, his mother sat excitedly in front of the laptop, only to see that she had not secured the tender. Pranav noticed her sad face immediately. She talked to Pranav about it. He replied, ‘This is the exact reason why I don’t participate in the school competitions. It’s no use at all, if you are going to lose in the end.’ Hearing this, Pranav’s mother was able to decipher his behaviour of non participation. She explained to him, trying and working hard even though you don’t win is important too. It teaches you a lot. She further added, only because she didn’t get the tender this time, she knew exactly what went wrong and can rectify it the next time.
Pranav heard this and was a changed child. He understood that one has to go through the process of learning, if one wished to win. But it’s only the failure which teaches you the significant things.
Not long after that incident had taken place, that Pranav’s mother asked him if he wants to participate in the upcoming elocution competition in school. Without a flicker of doubt, Pranav answered yes!
This change wasn’t easy but it wasn’t difficult as well. In working spread over a year, Pranav’s behaviour shift was seen seventh month onward. It was his fear of being ‘different’ in a family of overachievers which stopped him for trying out. After the tender incident with his mother, Pranav realised she too was a person, who faces failure and has probably faced it earlier as well. But because she had tasted failure earlier, she could win today and that’s what Pranav practiced after the workshop as well.
Pranav’s case along with several similar cases teach us- children with a high IQ face such a type of challenge in blending with the usual norms. To overcome such challenges, it is important for parents to stay vigilant of their child’s behaviour, which eventually provides a lucrative path for him/her.