Susan Rambeau Victoria B. Damiani, Ed.D., NCSP Indiana University of Pennsylvania Center for Gifted Education. What do they need?

Some Early Signs of Giftedness* Unusual alertness in infancy Less need for sleep Long attention span High activity level Recognizing caretakers early Early language development Curiosity Keen powers of observation Harrison, C. (2004). Giftedness in early childhood: The search for complexity and connection. Roeper Review, 26(2), 78-84; Silverman, L. K. (1993). Counseling families. In L. K. Silverman (Ed.), Counseling the gifted and talented. (pp., ) Denver: Love.

Assessment Options Individual tests of intellectual ability Standardized achievement tests Curriculum-based assessment Rating scales Observations Trial experiences

Do NOT shy away from presenting complex or abstract underlying themes. Examples: Telling Time Identifying Money Temperature Fractions Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4),

Base activities on the student’s interest. Responsibility Intrinsic Motivation

Allow for more detail. Examples: Higher Level Books Advanced Vocabulary In-depth Props Similarities and Differences Guest Speakers Allow typical preschoolers to participate in some of the enrichment activities. Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3),

Allow for more detail in the different centers you have set up in the classroom. Writing Center Science Center Arts Center Manipulative Center Dramatic Play Center Reading Center Technology Center

Writing Center Have an alphabet strip along with common words located in the center so the student can begin to form sentences. Make arrangements with a pen pal on their academic level. Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4),

Science Center Scrambled Animals Dramatic Play Center Include props that allow for in-depth scenarios during play. Farmer, D. (1996). Parenting gifted preschoolers. Austega Web Site. Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3),

Arts Center Introduce music appreciation. Allow the students to play an instrument. Introduce art appreciation. Provide activities rather than crafts. Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3),

Manipulative Center Unifex Cubes Tangrams 24 Piece Puzzles Optical Illusions Mazes Card and Board Games Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3),

Reading Center Include a variety of reading material. Level of difficulty Interests Types Picture Books Magazines for Kids Poetry Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4), Imison, K. (1997). Teaching to foster talent development: Vignettes of gifted children in Australia. Gifted Child Today, 20(3),

Technology Center Practice Keyboarding PowerPoint Presentation of completed work Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4),

Social and Emotional Domain Feelings of Awkwardness Hidden Talents Transporting Students Cross-Age Activities A Leader as well as a Follower Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4), Sweeny, N. (1995). Gifted children have special needs too. Early Childhood News, 7(3),

At Home Ideas Trips to the museum, theatre, as well as traveling Plan a party Buying a Pet Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3),

Keep in Mind Give it time Be a co-learner Keep complete and inclusive records Devil’s advocate Be patient Harrison, C. (2004).Giftedness in early childhood: The search for complexity and connection. Roeper Review, 26(2) Imison, K. (1997). Teaching to foster talent development: Vignettes of gifted children in Australia. Gifted Child Today, 20(3),