Challenges for Gifted Girls/Gifted Boys Dr. Barbara Branch Executive Director California Association for the Gifted

Common Challenges High intellect Perfectionism Asynchronous development Intensity Passion Curiosity

Challenges for Gifted Girls

A society that wastes female brilliance has made it the norm for gifted women to lead an average life, and gifted women have largely adapted to that norm. Dr. Barbara Kerr

Statistics Girls read, and count earlier than boys Girls earn higher grades in elementary school Girls get the message early (by 3 rd grade) that academic prowess is not for girls Girls lose self-esteem as they get older and try to fit into the social group Perfectionism, hopelessness, and discouragement grow with age in girls Lewis Terman

Statistics 2013 SAT Scores College Board ReadingMathWritingTotal Female Male

Dilemmas for Gifted Girls Girls are not always encouraged to excel by their teachers, schools, and parents Girls shy away from answering aloud and are reprimanded when they shout out

Dilemmas for Gifted Girls Girls are encouraged not to ask questions Girls’ talents and abilities are not always brought to their attention Girls’ gifts and interests are not always encouraged

Dilemmas for Gifted Girls Career choices vs. home responsibilities Median annual income in 2012 Women $37,791 Men $49,398

Dilemmas for Gifted Girls Among the fortune 500 companies - only 26 female CEOs (5.2%) Median annual income in 2012 Women $37,791(76% of men's) Men $49,398

Challenges for Gifted Girls Low self-esteem Apathy, based on resignation or feeling of inferiority Fear of taking risks

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 1. As parents, be coaches, not judges. Coaches o Encourage o Have high expectations o Praise o Criticize o Set limits Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 2. Emphasize intelligence, hard work, independence, sensitivity, and perseverance o Deemphasize appearance o Encourage relationships based on shared interests Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 3. Set expectations as high for daughters as for sons o Expect post high school education o The American Dream is real for women too Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 4. Teach healthy competition o Encourage the exhilaration of winning o Don’t always let girls win o Winning builds confidence o Losing builds character and risk-taking Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 5. Don’t pressure girls to fit in socially o Help them understand their differences and be comfortable with them, especially during adolescence o Redirect them to positive activities they like (music, drama, sports, science, etc.) Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 6. Encourage girls to be involved in all- girl activities when it is more comfortable o Sometimes boys cause girls to lose confidence Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 7. Read stories about successful women o Such stories are inspiring o Help them be comfortable with math and science by reading about successful women in math and science o Teach spatial skills – not always a strength for girls Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 8. Give all your girls leadership opportunities regardless of their place in the family o Give them responsibilities o Give them your time alone o Encourage leadership activities Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 9. Travel with girls o Encourage independent school trips o Travel inspires adventure o Travel provides enrichment o Children who have travelled are much more worldly. Dr. Sylvia Rimm

Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers 10. Be an Active Role Model o Preserve time to talk about careers o Talk and listen daily o Model career development through your own work Dr. Sylvia Rimm

For Educators 1. Do early identification (3.5 to7) 2. Provide challenging curriculum 3. Encourage selection of higher level math and science 4. Use multiple measures of ability and achievement Anita Gurian, PhD

For Educators 5. Encourage taking extra credit for success and recognize their own talents 6. Provide extra materials that recognize women’s accomplishments Anita Gurian, PhD

For Parents 1. Foster relationships with gifted peers who share like interests 2. Provide role models of accomplished women Anita Gurian, PhD

For Parents 3. Avoid sex-role stereotyping (Barbie’s computer) 4. Make sure fathers are involved in their daughters lives and decisions Anita Gurian, PhD

Gifted Boys

Three Important Attributes They are children, so they require nurturing They require academic curricula and instruction appropriate to their abilities. They require attention that balances cultural and familial expectations of males.

Gender Issues Boys are more likely to underachieve in school. Encourage hard work Praise effort Set high expectations Sylvia Rimm

Why boys turn in homework late Boys are neurologically geared towards unsolved problems and challenges If they do not know they focus on it. If they already know it, they become bored. Julie Coates and William A. Draves

Gender Issues Boys are more likely to have learning disabilities. Over diagnosed and mis-diagnosed with ADHD Allow boys to move Allow boys to do something else while talking to them Sylvia Rimm

Gender Issues Boys are five times more likely to stutter More boys are involved in violence and crimes Masculinity challenges Sylvia Rimm

Gender Issues Boys develop more slowly than girls Real challenges in middle school Sylvia Rimm

Gender Issues Boys are not as strong in verbal skills as girls We expect boys to be as verbal as girls in school Sylvia Rimm

Gender Issues More boys struggle with handwriting Smart can be slow and thoughtful Provide keyboarding Sylvia Rimm

For Educators Recognize the learning styles of boys Give boys space and movement time Use speaking and listening in teaching reading

For Educators Use more technology Use less lecture and more spatial and diagrammatic lessons Include books high in action

For Educators Provide a variety of co-curricular activities to interest boys who are not athletes Offer leadership training Provide mentors

For Parents Family support is critical Help boys explore many careers Find mentors

For Parents Be aware of boy’s sensitivities and intensities. Respect them but help them express their feelings in male ways. Allow boys to explore their interests regardless of what society might think.

Questions