Problems Facing Problems Facing Gifted ChildrenGifted Children

An overviewAn overview

Gifted/Talented Gifted/Talented Children…Children…

Develop differently than their peersDevelop differently than their peers May be highly impatientMay be highly impatient Ask embarrassing questionsAsk embarrassing questions Resist direction, routine practiceResist direction, routine practice Question teaching proceduresQuestion teaching procedures May seem bossyMay seem bossy Are often intolerant of those Are often intolerant of those

“slower” than them“slower” than them

Gifted/Talented Gifted/Talented Children…Children…

Are stubbornAre stubborn Resist being interruptedResist being interrupted May become depressedMay become depressed Are perfectionistsAre perfectionists Use words to manipulate othersUse words to manipulate others Are sensitive to criticism or peer rejectionAre sensitive to criticism or peer rejection Are highly self-criticalAre highly self-critical

May have uneven May have uneven developmentdevelopment

The physical may The physical may not keep up with not keep up with their mental their mental development.development.

Fine motor skills Fine motor skills may arrive late.may arrive late.

May have a lot of May have a lot of energyenergy

Quickly grow Quickly grow frustratedfrustrated

May not be May not be understood by understood by their peerstheir peers

May be advanced May be advanced in several diverse in several diverse areasareas

Gifted children often do not socialize well with their peers. In primary school, they often try to organize complex games and boss other kids around.

In the middle and upper grades, other children rarely understand their jokes.

The biggest danger to a gifted child is the desire to do anything to fit in. This often leads to lower academic performance, ditching school, and even self-destructive behaviors.

Preventing Preventing ProblemsProblems

What we can do to help.What we can do to help.

Help Fulfill Their Social Help Fulfill Their Social NeedsNeeds

Gifted children often get along better Gifted children often get along better with older children and adults than with older children and adults than they do with kids their own age. they do with kids their own age.

They may need several peer groups They may need several peer groups because their interests are so varied.because their interests are so varied.

Peers may be found based on reading Peers may be found based on reading preferencespreferences

Be sure your kids are aware of the Be sure your kids are aware of the dangers created by hanging out with dangers created by hanging out with older kids.older kids.

Teach by exampleTeach by example

Although impatience is a common Although impatience is a common trait among gifted children, parents trait among gifted children, parents ought to strive to provide roll models ought to strive to provide roll models of patience. of patience.

Display behavior appropriate to a Display behavior appropriate to a given situation. (Someone has to be given situation. (Someone has to be the adult, don’t let it be them!)the adult, don’t let it be them!)

Pursue your hobbies/interests and Pursue your hobbies/interests and share your experiences with them.share your experiences with them.

Discover the cause of Discover the cause of their depressiontheir depression

Depression is usually being angry at Depression is usually being angry at yourself or at a situation that is yourself or at a situation that is beyond your control.beyond your control.

Share with your child how you deal Share with your child how you deal with frustration. Be open and honest. with frustration. Be open and honest.

Check their educational placement. Check their educational placement. Sometimes placement in the wrong Sometimes placement in the wrong class can make them feel trapped.class can make them feel trapped.

Encourage their self-Encourage their self-expressionexpression

Gifted children tend to be Gifted children tend to be nonconformists.nonconformists.

They challenge traditions, rituals, They challenge traditions, rituals, roles, or expectations.roles, or expectations.

Others’ discomfort may prompt them Others’ discomfort may prompt them to curb their growth or abilities.to curb their growth or abilities.

Help them discover a way to not Help them discover a way to not conform “within the rules” (dress up conform “within the rules” (dress up their uniforms)their uniforms)

Speak to their teachersSpeak to their teachers

Ensure that your gifted child has Ensure that your gifted child has educational flexibility.educational flexibility.

Educate their teachers on what you Educate their teachers on what you do to help them complete chores at do to help them complete chores at home.home.

Talk with other parents of gifted Talk with other parents of gifted children. Sometimes they have children. Sometimes they have advice that can help.advice that can help.

GATE Parent ConferenceGATE Parent Conference

March 31, 2011.March 31, 2011. Euclid Middle SchoolEuclid Middle School 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm5:30 pm - 6:30 pm