Wijs op Weg: totaalpakket

Program for Underachieving Gifted Youth  (in Dutch)

Step onto the path to wisdom with the Wijs op Weg program! Specifically designed for gifted youth, this program offers guidance in exploring different aspects of themselves, including their giftedness, environment, learning style, underachievement behavior, and beliefs.

Whether you're currently underachieving or at risk of falling into that trap, Wijs op Weg is here for you. The main goal? Rediscover your motivation, embrace a more positive attitude toward school, and develop adaptive behaviors to improve your performance or simply feel better about yourself.

For several years, this program has been an essential part of the practice at Hoogbloeier®. It provides educators and coaches with a valuable guide to help underachieving students tackle the issue of underachievement. In a personalized setting, the student and mentor work together on concrete tasks and themes. The result? An effective approach that supports young people in realizing their full potential.

The program is based on Kuipers’ De kracht in jezelf program, specifically adapted for gifted students in secondary education. In 2015, Wijs op Weg was the subject of a thesis by Sabine Sypré, as part of her training to become an ECHA-Specialist in Gifted Education at Radboud University in Nijmegen. Her research described the adaptations made to Kuipers' program for gifted students in secondary education and evaluated its effectiveness. The results showed that the students showed emotional improvements during the program, which later translated into academic success, even after completing the program.

Two of the four modules (B and C) were developed based on the Pathways to Underachievement Model by Snyder and Linnenbrink-Garcia (2013) and were part of an intervention study conducted as part of Dr. Sabine Sypré's doctoral research. The results of this intervention study, conducted with eight participants using a single case experimental design, suggest that the modules can be effective in addressing underachievement. The program was adjusted in collaboration with KU Leuven and UGent based on the findings of this study.

Product Description

The program consists of four modules, each addressing a different psychological aspect that contributes to the underachievement of gifted youth. For each module, a specific workbook has been designed to support the students in this learning process.

Module A - Self-Image

This module can be applied when a gifted student underestimates their own talents, which can lead to a lack of self-confidence, motivation, and underachievement. This module can also be useful if the student struggles with social situations, such as forming and maintaining friendships or understanding social norms, which can result in withdrawn behavior or social conflicts.

Module B - Self-Beliefs

This module can be applied to students who identify with the profile of Maladaptive Competence Beliefs. It offers strategies for developing a growth mindset and promoting positive self-talk, such as through Brainology® and Rational Emotive Therapy.

Module C - Goal Valuation

This module can be applied when students have difficulty valuing school subjects and linking them to their own values, talents, and competencies. The program assists them through career counseling and the use of various games and materials, helping them set better long-term goals and enhance their motivation.

Module D - Self-Regulation

This module is the final piece of the program and is applied only after gifted students have developed a positive self-perception through the previous modules, as this is crucial for their motivation to effectively utilize self-regulation skills. This module then focuses on teaching self-regulation skills such as planning, organization, and learning strategies to fully realize their potential and prevent underachievement.

Manual

The Wijs op Weg training comes with a comprehensive 100-page manual. It begins with a theoretical background discussing the scientific models on which the program is based. The manual then provides guidelines for both the intake interview and the final evaluation conversation. For each module, the guidance is described in detail, including tips, points of attention, methods, and sample questions that can be used during the sessions.

Additional Materials

Some materials are required for this program that are not available through this webshop and must be ordered separately:

Wijs op Weg Training

The Wijs op Weg program is intended for coaches, psychologists, therapists, and other professionals who work with gifted youth and have knowledge of cognitive giftedness. To effectively deliver this program to underachieving gifted youth, it is recommended to first complete a specific training. Only those with sufficient background knowledge about giftedness are eligible for this training. The Wijs op Weg training is offered twice a year. For more details about the programs and training, please refer to our full offering.

Filters

Type of material: (Work)book

Target audience: Education professionals

Target audience: Healthcare professionals

Product series name: Wijs op Weg