How do you react when your child laments, “I’m bored!” or “School was a drag today.” When do feelings of boredom go beyond normal, commonplace, and bearable? How do you handle the behavioral problems that stem from boredom? … [Read more...] about Dealing with Boredom
Social & Emotional
Zs Are Important to Learning ABCs
Teens tend to get sleepy about 11 p.m. and wake up around 8 a.m.—a biological drive that maximizes brain development. So, when school starts at 7:30 a.m., it’s the equivalent of an adult attending a meeting at 4:30 a.m. Studies have shown that later start times improve academic performance (slightly) and attendance, lower dropout rates, reduce conflicts with parents and peers, and decrease reports of depression. … [Read more...] about Zs Are Important to Learning ABCs
How do I know if my child is in with the right peer group?
Developing and maintaining friendships is an important aspect of any child’s development. However, for many gifted kids this can be a struggle. The second friendship article offers some talking points that may be helpful when discussing friendship with a gifted child. We include both articles to show a variety of views on friendship. Differences of opinion don’t always signify one being right and the other wrong, but rather differing values of what is important. … [Read more...] about How do I know if my child is in with the right peer group?
Finding True Peers
Developing and maintaining friendships is an important aspect of any child’s development. However, for many gifted kids this can be a struggle. Using the term “true peers,” the first of the friendship articles discusses the struggle gifted kids may have in forming and maintaining friendships. For gifted children, true peers are probably not the same chronological age as gifted children; gifted children often seek friendships with older children. … [Read more...] about Finding True Peers
Build-Your-Own Robot
For hours of entertainment and intensely complex critical thinking, robotics are ideal. Three good choices for robot building kits are LEGO MindStorms Robotics Invention System, TAB Electronics Build Your Own Robot Kit, and MOVIT Robotic Arm Trainer. For help in evaluating these kits, I consulted an expert, Ken Boone (no relation of mine), instructor of the Duke University Talent Identification Program’s popular summer robotics course. … [Read more...] about Build-Your-Own Robot
Shyness and the Gifted
Shyness exists in the gifted population just as it does in all other groups of people. Likewise, the specific type and severity of shyness is highly variable. The causes of shyness are not well known. Heredity, environment, temperament, stress, and experiences (such as being singled out) may all play a role. Anxiety associated with shyness may be related to fear of evaluation, to learned behaviors, or to negative self-talk. … [Read more...] about Shyness and the Gifted
Nurturing the Young Gifted Child
Parents are usually the first to notice the exceptional qualities of their young gifted children. One five-year-old I know of surprised her mother by painting a large picture of the world with Africa, Asia, and North and South America all in correct relation to each other. The child pointed out a number of countries without having been taught geography. Before this, no one had ever thought of her as unusual in any way. … [Read more...] about Nurturing the Young Gifted Child
Parenting Principles That Work
Most gifted children enjoy relatively good overall psychological health. Research supports the view that intellectually and athletically gifted youth have better-than-average social adjustment. However, we know less about the social adjustment of gifted children with talents in music, drama, dance, the visual arts, and other culturally valued domains. … [Read more...] about Parenting Principles That Work
How to Guide Your Daughter to Success
Of course you’d like your gifted daughter to have a fulfilling career that combines creativity, challenge, and the opportunity to contribute, and you want her to establish a satisfactory family life and relationships. However, glass ceilings and sticky floors continue in nontraditional careers for women. … [Read more...] about How to Guide Your Daughter to Success
Now I See!
Need some fun and challenging games for spring break? Visual thinking games may be the answer. Dozens are available, but I have chosen for evaluation some of the more unique and challenging ones. … [Read more...] about Now I See!