The Important Role of Parent Support Groups Jo Freitag

A presentation and discussion on the social and emotional support needs of academically gifted children. Emphasis will be placed on the experiences and challenges of parenting gifted and the role of social support groups

NEEDS

GAGNE Model of Factors which Influence the Development of Innate Giftedness into Fully Realised Talent emphasises the importance of environmental factors Temperament/ Personality (Adaptability, attitudes, competitiveness, independence, self- esteem, values etc.) Giftedness Aptitude domains INTELLECTUAL Reasoning (eg. visual, spatial) memory, judgment etc CREATIVE Originality, inventiveness, Humour, etc. SOCIOAFFECTIVE Leadership, empathy, self-awareness, etc SENSORIMOTOR Strength, fine motor control, Endurance, flexibility, etc. OTHERS Extrasensory perception, gift of healing etc Motivation INITIATIVE NEEDS, INTERESTS PERSERVERANCE DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS Learning – Training – Practising SURROUNDINGS Home, school, community, etc PERSONS Parents, teachers, mentors, etc. UNDERTAKINGS Activities, courses, programs etc. EVENTS Encounters, awards, accidents, etc. Talents Fields relevant to school-age youth ACADEMICS Language, science etc GAMES OF STRATEGY Chess, puzzles, video, etc. TECHNOLOGY Mechanics, computers, etc ARTS Visual, drama, music, etc. SOCIAL ACTION Tutoring, school, politics, etc BUSINESS Sales, entrepreneurship, etc ATHLETICS & SPORTS INTRAPERSONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CATALYSTS (POSITIVE/NEGATIVE IMPACTS)

NEEDS NORMALCY Some things which are the exception in the general population are par for the course for the gifted : what Lesley Sword calls “Normal for gifted” IQ Bell Curve Columbus Group Definition Dabrowski Overexcitabilities Introversion Visual Spatial Learners Perfectionism Creativity and ‘different thinking’

NEEDS EXAMPLES EXCELLENCE EXTENSION

NEEDS EXTRA INFORMATION AND MYTH BUSTING This is where Gifted Resources can be useful

NEEDS DIALOGUE AND TEAMWORK CHILD PsychologistParentTeacher

NEEDS SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES SUPPORT This is where a Support Group can be useful

Parent Support Groups are needed... For social contact for parents for mutual encouragement and ‘been there-done that!’ for opportunity for parents to learn about how they can support their children for an opportunity for children to spend time with like-minded peers

Learning about giftedness from guest speakers

Spending time together... Star-B-Ques Going on excursions Craft days Games days - chess, strategy games etc

Learning about topics of interest and sharing expertise, interests and passions Fun with workshops with authors and illustrators

Community education about giftedness with display in the library

BACK

Asynchronous Development Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counselling in order for them to develop optimally. (The Columbus Group, 1991). BACK

Dabrowski’s Overexcitabilities The five areas are: Psychomotor Sensual Imaginational Intellectual Emotional (From Dabrowski's Over-excitabilities A Layman's Explanation by Stephanie Tolan )Stephanie Tolan BACK

Perfectionism Many gifted people are perfectionists. Sometimes gifted children will refuse to do something unless they are sure the result will be perfect. The result they are aiming for is adult excellence and they put a great deal of stress on themselves by trying to produce it. Often the stress comes also from competition with others and from expectations (real or perceived) which are put on them It is good to encourage to aim for excellence but not be paralysed by perfectionism. BACK

EXAMPLE : CHRISTIAN’S TEDDY DRAGONS Creativity, freedom of expression, outside the box thinking Tedling hatchingTedlings learn statistics by osmosis TD language and maths systems BACK

Gifted Resources is like... A bookshop A reference library A news service BACK To E

Gifted Resources is like... A service locater An Internet facilitator A help/advice line BACK TO E

Gifted Resources is like... A networking facilitator An Information booth A source of encouragement and social contact An educator on giftedness BACK TO E

GIFTED RESOURCES Contact Details: Office The Centre for the Exceptional Learner Luther College Plymouth Rd Croydon Victoria 3136 Australia Phone:(03) Mobile Postal address: PO Box 4176 Croydon Hills Victoria 3136 Australia Phone:(03) newsletter: Website:

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