About the “Gifted” Center

VMU ŠA Gifted Children Education Center “Gifted” is a non-formal education school that works according to the international Lithuanian-Israeli gifted children education program adapted by university specialists. After intensive preparation, this program started in Lithuania in 2020. It is implemented according to the internationally recognized Israeli gifted children education model, which consists of educational programs for children of various ages.

The program is implemented according to the model of the Israeli “Ron Vardi” Center, founded in 1986. Specially trained teachers and lecturers prepare programs for the intellectual and emotional development of gifted children’s abilities.

Children and young people are accepted into the program after passing a test.

Taking into account the test results (the child’s strengths), groups are formed. Teachers prepare programs for each group individually. The program is assigned to the school year. It consists of 5-6 modules that develop various abilities and, which is especially important for gifted children, classes led by a psychologist (in groups and individually as needed).

The Gifted Children Education Center is not a tutoring service center. The GIFTED center pays special attention to the disclosure and strengthening of the child’s abilities. Therefore, the task of each center teacher is to create appropriate conditions for the child to reveal himself according to the level of abilities and creativity (Hallahan and Kauffman, 2003).

Program participants are provided with psychological consultations, winter and summer camps are organized, consultations and seminars for parents are held.

Center activities:

  • education of gifted children from 4 to 18 years of age;
  • psychological consultations and recognition of gifted children;
  • camps;
  • consultations and seminars for parents;
  • research on the education of gifted children;
  • professional development of teachers and heads of educational institutions, aimed at expanding the competencies necessary for the education of gifted children.

In the program, children:

  • will develop STEAM (biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science), art, literature, law,
    business, philosophy, entrepreneurship and other skills.
  • Guided by the desire to improve, they will strive for perseverance, creativity, develop critical and original (independent)
    thinking skills, analytical and communication skills, learn to act and think in uncertain situations and apply the liberal arts of comprehensive education in life.
  • They will learn multidirectional thinking, create interdisciplinary visions at the intersection of several fields.
  • They will learn citizenship, social sensitivity, responsibility, and develop values.
  • They will actively act, generate new ideas and be able to realize them.

The program is paid. The annual price of the program is 990 EUR (9 months x 110 EUR/month).