Why should we help gifted students? What is the impact of the Common Core standards on gifted students? What are the greatest myths about gifted students? What can be considered good advice for parents who have gifted children? I recently had the opportunity to ask these questions to two giants in the field of gifted education, Sidney Moon and Felicia Dixon. Their latest book is the second edition of The Handbook of Secondary Gifted Education which “offers an in-depth, research-based look at … [Read more...] about Love the Child, Not the Gift
depression
How Can I Improve My Gifted Child’s Resilience?
As parents, we naturally want to prevent our children from experiencing extreme adversity, but, try as we might, there is only so much we can do to keep them safe. Gifted children are often in educational situations that heighten their risk for adjustment problems because they have limited access to others with similar interests, ability, and drive or because they are not sufficiently challenged. The differences in their abilities and their heightened sensitivities can contribute to these … [Read more...] about How Can I Improve My Gifted Child’s Resilience?
Giftedness and Masculinity: Balancing Expectations
Masculinity or manliness is often associated with phrases like “taking control,” athletic,” “unemotional,” and “aggressive.” However, it is up to parents to decide whether society’s definitions of “real men” are desirable for their sons. Regardless, parents must keep in mind what expectations of males society communicates these expectations to look at how they impact the way gifted boys view themselves and view their own giftedness. … [Read more...] about Giftedness and Masculinity: Balancing Expectations
The Social and Emotional Transition to Middle School
Middle school introduces new opportunities for gifted adolescents to form rewarding relationships and develop their own identities. It can also present challenges to gifted students as they encounter new social structures and pressures. Contrary to some popular negative stereotypes, most evidence indicates that gifted students are typically well adjusted socially and emotionally. Many studies show that they are viewed positively relative to their peers. Moreover, researchers tend to agree that … [Read more...] about The Social and Emotional Transition to Middle School
Formula for Social Emotional Disaster: I+S+O=SED Cubed: Intensity plus Sensitivity plus Overprotection equals Social Emotional Disaster
Parenting gifted children socially and emotionally presents a challenge and causes sane and balanced adults to squirm, wonder, pace, and otherwise exhibit anxiety. No one tells unsuspecting parents of gifted children that in order to raise their children there is an unwritten requirement that they function at a totally honest and authentic level of self-awareness. Our gifted offspring stretch us, the adults in the family, to look at aspects of ourselves that we’d prefer to keep hidden. This is … [Read more...] about Formula for Social Emotional Disaster: I+S+O=SED Cubed: Intensity plus Sensitivity plus Overprotection equals Social Emotional Disaster
Gifted High School Students’ Survival Skills
Being a teenager is not easy. Being a gifted teenager can be almost impossible. Planning and hard work on everyone’s part allow gifted students to build a great high school experience. … [Read more...] about Gifted High School Students’ Survival Skills
Bored to Tears? We Should Listen!
A child came home from school one day and said, “I’m bored.” “What’s the matter? What do you mean?” his parents implored What does this child mean when he says that he is bored? Is he bored at school? Is he at a loss for what to do once he gets home? Why do his parents respond with emotions ranging from impatience to anxiety? … [Read more...] about Bored to Tears? We Should Listen!
Perfectionism: When Excellence Isn’t Good Enough
We want our children to strive for excellence. Whether in schoolwork, ice skating, music, art, scientific experiments, written work, or other activities, striving for excellence is usually a healthy way to develop talent. But when excellence does not seem good enough, perfectionism results, leaving children no room for error and allowing them little satisfaction in what they do. … [Read more...] about Perfectionism: When Excellence Isn’t Good Enough
Dealing with Boredom
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
Perfectionism and Gifted Students
Educators, researchers, and parents often observe perfectionist behaviors in gifted students. It comes as no surprise, since these students are bombarded daily by parents, teachers, peers, and an entertainment industry that rewards them and encourages them to make the highest grade, produce a perfect painting, give a flawless performance, and gain admission into the best college. What are the characteristics of a perfectionist? Is perfectionism helpful or detrimental to a student’s success? What … [Read more...] about Perfectionism and Gifted Students