How academic competitions can stimulate gifted children

When it comes to learning and picking up new skills, some kids are like super-absorbent sponges. They seem to understand concepts, identify patterns, and solve problems faster than their classmates, and so we call them gifted.

With stronger natural abilities, these children usually need more than regular classwork to stimulate them. The work must be more complex, testing deeper levels of knowledge and more sophisticated skills – a series of challenges that put them through their intellectual paces.

Extra-curricular activities are one way to do so, particularly academic competitions. They provide gifted children with the opportunity to really stretch and show their abilities.

These are four reason why academic competitions can stimulate gifted school children, giving them a platform to thrive.

1. Academic competitions allow children to compete and be recognised

Sporty kids have plenty of chances to compete against their peers. But for children who aren’t great at kicking footballs or smashing 100-metre sprints, school competitions give them a rare chance to show their intellectual prowess; to compete against their peers and be recognised for their unique gifts, whether that’s an aptitude for Writing, Maths, Science, or all of them and more.

Many kids are driven to prove themselves and show their capabilities to the world, and for those that are intellectually gifted, academic competitions provides them with the perfect platform. They can show their parents, teachers, and friends just how tall they stand against their classmates when given the chance. Throw in the opportunity to win medals and certificates, usually presented at school-wide assemblies, and you have a supercharged motivator for these kids.

Kids who receive high marks in academic competitions (gifted or not) often talk about how proud and accomplished they feel after receiving their results, and how they can’t wait to do the competition again next year – often with a view to knuckle down and do even better.

Here’s what student Ammar (left) said about participating in the ICAS academic competition in 2024:

“It was my first time doing ICAS this year and I liked it so much that I can’t wait for the next year’s ICAS. It challenged me and made me realise my potential and where I need to improve to reach High Distinction. Also, I like that you get recognition in front of your class in the form of a certificate. I’m so proud and pumped for the next year!”

2. Academic competitions are more challenging than regular schoolwork

Gifted children can get bored with regular classwork. If teachers have the time and support staff, they might offset this by placing them into groups with other gifted kids and giving them harder content. But sometimes that isn’t enough.

School competitions can provide a solution. They tend to be a much more challenging than day-to-day schoolwork, designed to really put children through their paces by exploring subjects more deeply and encouraging them to use skills that may not usually be tested in class. For gifted children who yearn for something more challenging and interesting, this makes academic competitions highly stimulating. Their natural abilities are finally being stretched!

ICAS medal winner Riley (right) describes how the competition was for him:

“ICAS tests offered me a level of difficulty that felt both challenging and exciting, giving me a chance to stretch my abilities beyond my regular schoolwork.”

3. Academic competitions explore subjects more deeply and help children develop their skills

Some kids develop passions for certain subjects. With steady nurturing from their teachers and parents, kids can become avid mathematicians, enthusiastic computer whizzes, or the sharpest of readers.

Academic competitions are designed to push children to their limits, inviting them to dive deeper into content and test and refine their existing skills in subtle, challenging ways. For children who already enjoy certain subjects, this new level of depth and rigor can magnify their fascination, not to mention their progress. It can also produce sparks of interest for subjects they don’t usually enjoy.

Double ICAS medal winner Saskia (left) tells it well:

“[I like ICAS because] it’s fun to exercise my brain and answer questions that are different to school.”

– Saskia

4. Academic competitions encourage higher-order thinking

When children engage in higher-order thinking, they’re analysing and evaluating information, solving problems, thinking critically, and being creative. These are crucial skills for higher education and employment, and can also be a lot of fun for gifted children. They’re the difference between simply remembering and regurgitating information and actually doing something useful and fresh with it.

Because school competitions are designed to challenge children to the max, they tend to focus on assessing their higher-order thinking skills. They invite them to solve problems, to figure out how information might be applied in different ways, to write interesting stories and solve complex mathematical puzzles. Children must put their most advanced skills into practice, which can feel extremely satisfying for gifted kids – especially when they come away with accolades.

ICAS medal winner Victoria (right) explains how she enjoys this aspect of the academic competition:

“What I enjoy most about ICAS is the challenging questions that require me to think critically and solve problems effectively. This is my second time winning an ICAS medal in Writing so next year I am striving for a Mathematics medal.”

To thrive, gifted children need to be nurtured. They need challenges that test the threshold of their abilities, both in their regular day-to-day classwork and for extra-curricular activities.

Academic competitions have become a tried and tested method. They provide gifted kids with a platform to thoroughly test their intellectual limits, giving them the conviction to take on new challenges and grow into confident, skilled young adults ready to take on the world.