Several months ago the parents of a highly gifted fourth grader, Trent, called me for advice about his development. They expressed considerable concern about his increasing unwillingness, as they put it, “to shine.” Having always performed academic tasks superbly and nonacademic ones reasonably well, Trent was entering the pre-adolescent malaise experienced by many gifted and nongifted children alike. … [Read more...] about Being a Gifted Boy: What We Have Learned
extracurriculars
Developing Leadership Capacity
It is commonly believed that leaders are born, not made. In fact, leadership is nurtured and developed. It does not “happen.” So, don’t wait for your child to emerge as a leader. Develop leadership capacity in your child by encouraging and providing opportunities for him or her to learn leadership skills and to use them in various settings. … [Read more...] about Developing Leadership Capacity
Harnessing Gifted Girls’ Emotional Strengths
Gifted girls encounter unique challenges, particularly during adolescence. With our help, they can learn to transform adversity into opportunity. The keys are information and communication. Here are six springboards for conversation and personal growth that concern gifted adolescent girls. … [Read more...] about Harnessing Gifted Girls’ Emotional Strengths
Spend the Summer Studying? Are you Kidding?
Summer programs for academically gifted students have proliferated in the last decade, largely because efficient and widespread identification services are available through regional talent search programs. Universities and colleges sponsor most summer programs. Given the myriad opportunities, parents may wonder what the benefits of participation in summer programs are and how to select the right one for their child. … [Read more...] about Spend the Summer Studying? Are you Kidding?
Identifying and Nurturing Talent in the Visual Arts
The youngest artist-in-the-making I ever met was six years old. Carson Rutter arrived at my office carrying a folder of his work in one hand and holding his mother’s hand with the other. Drawings of cowboys dominated his portfolio. I asked him to tell me about them. With a critical eye, he told me how he had improved since those drawings were made and that their inspiration was The Magnificent Seven. Six other art teachers later evaluated Carson’s work as that of a middle-school student. … [Read more...] about Identifying and Nurturing Talent in the Visual Arts
Is Our Son Overextended?
Parent Question: Our son is involved in a number of extracurricular activities. He is on a travel soccer team, plays violin, works on the school newspaper, and participates in a church teen program. We’ve noticed a decline in his attention to homework and studying and worry that he may be overextended. Is he doing too much? … [Read more...] about Is Our Son Overextended?
Shaking Those Midwinter Blues
Midwinter—that gray eclipse between New Year’s and spring break when we’re tempted to hibernate.With the winter holidays over, academic rigors and extracurricular activities reconvene full force. However, the afternoons are short and often dreary, and long winter nights can become tiresome without some respite from the routine. Although February is the shortest month of the year, it seems to become the longest. Enter the midwinter blues. … [Read more...] about Shaking Those Midwinter Blues
Hearing the Music
The Music Within It’s Tuesday morning, and instead of hearing classroom noise or school bells indicating it’s time to change classes, our 14-year-old daughter Niki is in her room playing electric guitar and singing one of her new songs. Music is not just a hobby for Niki; it is her life. She has had several songs copyrighted, she solos at coffeehouses, she’s made a few demo tapes, she performs with an adult contemporary band, she offers piano lessons, and she recently completed enough songs for … [Read more...] about Hearing the Music