Idea-Mates: So Important for Everyone

An idea-mate is someone who shares an interest; consequently idea-mates find it easy to converse with each other. In fact, it might seem that a child isn’t very social until an idea-mate comes into the picture. Idea-mates could be age-mates, but they won’t necessarily be the same age as is often the criterion for being in a certain grade in school.

I remember well going into a Super Saturdays class for fourth graders. The teacher shared that the parent told her that her daughter was very shy and likely wouldn’t say much. But that wasn’t what I saw as I observed her with another girl in the class. Both girls were interested in the topic for the class – engineering with LEGO blocks. The girls I saw were chatting with each other. They were

idea-mates as they both were interested in building structures with LEGO.

Often, educators separate advanced readers or top mathematics students into various classes rather than putting them together. The children would benefit from being placed in the same class. Cluster grouping children puts idea-mates together which is best for everyone. The children are happier in classes with idea-mates, and teachers can focus instruction on the cluster rather than the individual child.

Don't forget that you enjoy conversations with others with whom you share interests. Remember, idea-mates are important!

Julia Link Roberts,

EDD Mahurin Professor of Gifted Studies

Western Kentucky University

NB: Please note that this article only represents the views of the author(s), and is not necessarily representative of the views of the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented.