What do Gifted Students Need?

  1. Appropriate instruction so that they have NEW learning opportunities.
  2. Educational environments that accept them for who they are and encourage growth.
  3. Information about how THEY learn.
  4. Information about their "giftedness"
  5. To know how to set REALISTIC expectations.
  6. Time with their "intellectual" peers.
  7. Understanding about their intrinsic motivation.
  8. Mentors in a field of interest to guide them.
  9. To be taught about their "over excitabilities".
  10. To work with teachers who have training/knowledge regarding gifted/talented students!!

Helpful Hints for You and Your Child Regarding Perfectionism

  • Help your child appreciate the trait!
  • Teach him/her that it serves a useful purpose.
  • Watch what YOU are modeling.
  • Maintain high standards for YOURSELF but don't impose them on OTHERS. Teach your child about this as well.
  • Tell him/her to keep striving, even when your first attempts are unsuccessful.  Share your personal journey about this with your child.
  • Teach the ideal of "Don't quit when the going gets tough."
  • Don't allow "excuses."  Teach your child about the message they send.
  • Teach your child not to punish him/herself for failing.  Talk to them about how we ALL learn!
  • Recognize that there are good parts and bad parts to perfectionism.
  • Help your child understand that there is "pain" in perfectionism.
  • Teach your child it's important to hold onto your ideas and believe in yourself!

From the work of Dr. Linda Silverman, Gifted Development Center

 

Gifted Children Need Balance

  • Balance between success and failure/honest failure
  • Balance between being a child who is gifted and a gifted child
  • Balance between teaching your child to do things quickly and teaching your child to persevere... excellence vs. perfectionism
  • Balance between fences and freedom - children who are bright are still children
  • Balance between a sense of pride and a sense of humility
  • Balance between a good heart and a good mind
  • Balance between what you do for them and what they do for themselves

 

Carol Ann Tomlinson, UAGC Midwinter Conference, 1997