Advanced Learners 101: Understanding their characteristics and unique learning needs

By Katy Bowman

Who are advanced learners? And what do they need to reach their full potential? Although these students may excel in many areas, they also face unique challenges. Without individualized support, they risk losing their spark and becoming disengaged. Adults who understand how to identify and nurture their abilities can be instrumental in helping these students thrive, both socially and academically.

Amy Lynne Shelton, PhD, executive director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, recently shared her expertise about these unique learners and offered suggestions for supporting them at home, in the classroom, and beyond.

SIGNS OF ADVANCED ABILITY
High scores on standardized tests can help identify students’ academic aptitude, but advanced learners may also display one or more of these other key traits:

• Strong reasoning and problem-solving skills. Advanced learners exhibit exceptional abilities in reasoning and problem-solving, which are noticeable in various contexts, including classwork and conversations.
• Unexpected skills for age or grade. Many also display skills or interests that are beyond what is typical for their age or grade level, such as a deeper understanding of complex concepts, Shelton said. For example, “The 6-year-old who understands how the internal combustion engine works — that’s pretty unusual, not because a 6-year-old couldn’t learn it, but the odds of a 6-year-old diving into that are pretty atypical.”
• Independence in learning. Many advanced learners can work independently, taking on challenges and tasks with minimal guidance.
• Undeterred curiosity. Another distinctive trait these students often display is an unrelenting curiosity about the world, where they enjoy exploring topics in-depth and seek to understand the intricacies.
• Reflection on learning. Advanced learners not only grasp information quickly, but also reflect on their learning process.

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES
It’s important to understand that — just as no two children are the same — there can be great differences among advanced learners. Some key distinctions include:

• Representation across demographics. Advanced learners can be found in every community and demographic, emphasizing the need for inclusive identification. “They cross all kinds of lines that are irrespective of the academic ability, and it’s important to keep that in mind because we do historically have a system that doesn’t always recognize that,” Shelton said.
• Varying levels of exceptional ability. There’s a spectrum, even among high-ability students, and recognizing the different ability levels can help educators when tailoring students’ education to their individual needs.
• Varying interests. Students may simply be drawn to certain subject areas more than others. “It’s often a matter of figuring out what they’re interested in, and you’ll see that advanced learning come through when engaged properly,” Shelton said.
• Asynchronous development. We often expect advanced learners’ academic abilities to align with their emotional maturity. However, intellectual development and social-emotional development can often be asynchronous. Students may be either more or less mature than expected for their chronological age. Awareness of this potential discrepancy can help set appropriate expectations.

SUPPORTING ADVANCED LEARNERS
Supporting the needs of advanced learners is key to helping them thrive. Here’s how parents and teachers can nurture their talents:

• Center the child’s needs. Parents should learn to parse their own goals from what their child truly needs, Shelton said. Think about what the child values and find opportunities for them to explore topics that spark their curiosity outside of school, if possible. This will help them stay motivated.
• Provide sufficient challenge. Rigorous academic material that challenges students without frustrating them is essential. Keeping coursework within the zone of proximal development and letting the student set the pace of their own learning can ensure an ideal learning experience, Shelton said.
• Foster a positive peer environment. Being around other kids who share their interests and level of excitement can do wonders for a child’s academic and emotional wellbeing, Shelton said. “When you bring kids together, and they grow all excited about a particular topic, and — of course where they all have that advanced ability, that motivation to learn can really become contagious.”
• Help them apply their skills. Opportunities for hands-on, project-based learning can enhance advanced students’ understanding of and enthusiasm for a topic. “Figuring out those spaces where it’s not just about learning, but actually synthesizing and applying what they’re learning — that’s really how you foster passions and develop new ones,” Shelton said.
• Incorporate novelty into the curriculum. Recent CTY research by Shelton and Sol Bee Jung, PhD, finds that novelty in both academic content and teaching approach is critical for keeping advanced learners engaged. Varied methods and exposure to unconventional topics contribute to a vibrant learning environment. College-style seminars, project-based assignments where students can learn through real-world problem solving, and hands-on labs can all provide essential novel learning experiences.

View Shelton’s recent presentation “Advanced Learners 101” on YouTube.

We’d love to hear about your experiences and creative strategies for supporting advanced students. Leave a comment below!