MensaKids

MensaKids is Mensa Luxembourg’s programme for children with high potential and their families.

Children with high potential

Children with high potential have clearly above-average cognitive abilities. A total IQ of around 130 or higher corresponds roughly to the top 2 % of the population. High potential, however, determines neither the child’s personality nor their academic success.

Depending on the child, one may notably observe:

• great curiosity and a need to understand;
• ease or speed of learning in certain areas;
• a rich vocabulary or in-depth interests;
• a strong need for intellectual stimulation.

A child’s development is not necessarily even: their intellectual, emotional, social or motor abilities may develop at different paces. Some children thrive without particular difficulty, while others may experience boredom, a feeling of being out of step, or academic or relational difficulties.

Resources in Luxembourg

When questions arise, an assessment carried out by a psychologist can help better understand the child’s cognitive profile, strengths and any potential needs.

• The Centre for Gifted Children and Youth (CEJHP) offers specialised diagnoses, advice and support for children and young people with high potential, their parents, and education professionals.
• Centre Indigo also offers psychological services.
• Mensa Luxembourg can refer families to psychologists in Luxembourg who offer IQ testing and/or support for children and families. A list of professionals can be provided on request by email. Mensa also offers its own IQ test sessions for children aged 10 and over.

Our activities

Parent meetings, talks, family outings (excursions, visits, workshops, games afternoons…). Our activities give children with high potential the opportunity to meet other children with whom they may share certain ways of thinking, interests or experiences. These get-togethers can foster friendships, exchanges and a sense of belonging, while also letting children discover that they aren’t the only ones to function or feel things differently in certain ways.

A significant place is given to play, enjoyment and simply being a child. At the same time, activities can contribute to the child’s overall development, stimulating — depending on the situation — their intellectual, emotional, social, sensory and creative dimensions. It is therefore not just about offering more intellectual stimulation, but about creating varied spaces where children can play, experiment, learn, form bonds and discover new things at their own pace.

Mensa Luxembourg also keeps a list of interesting activities and places in Luxembourg and the Greater Region, helping families find further ideas for outings, workshops and discoveries suited to their children’s interests. This document is available on request by email.

We are also always looking for volunteers who would like to propose new activities, particularly during school holidays — write to us at mensakids@mensa.lu.