+ Parents of Gifted Children A Presentation by Emily Daniel COE 8173 Counseling Gifted Students

+ Myths about Gifted Children They are not aware of being different unless someone tells them they are They will reveal their giftedness Their giftedness needs to be emphasized above all else They need constant challenge by others if they are to achieve They need to be disciplined more than other children They should assume extra responsibility for others They enjoy serving as “examples” for other children Webb, Meckstroth & Tolan, 2006

+ What do we know about parents and their gifted children? Parents are likely the best identifiers of giftedness in their child. 84% of 1000 children whose parents felt they exhibited traits of giftedness tested in the superior or gifted range. If parents do not see their child’s giftedness, teachers may overlook those traits as well. Finding the right school is crucial Silverman, 2009

+ Nathan Educating Nathan: Raising a Profoundly Gifted Child

+ Issues for Parents of Gifted Children Apprehension about the kind of education their child will receive Whether or not to allow their child to participate in a gifted program The need to be well-informed on the area of giftedness How to parent a gifted child Encouragement Enrichment activities Encourage risk taking Do not expect giftedness and talent in all areas Colangelo & Dettman, 1983

+ Issues for Parents of Gifted Children Sibling rivalry Provide alone time for each child so they are not always together Do not take sides in arguments Siblings are competitive First and only children The risk of being attention addicted and too powerful Remember who is the child and who is the adult Praise and positive reinforcement Bad when too frequent; might become dependent on it or feel pressure Rimm, 2007

+ Do’s and Don’t’s for Raising a Gifted Child Do’s Provide intellectual challenge Give encouragement Demonstrate how to prioritize Explain what it means to be gifted Enjoy your gift Get involved with their education Encourage friendships Don’t’s Don’t forget who is the child and who is the adult Don’t over-schedule Don’t hold them as an example Don’t stifle their curiosity Don’t use your gifted child as an example to other children Don’t overpraise Ruf, 2009 & Rim, 2007

+ What can parents do? Advocacy for education Parent support groups Join state and national organizations Lobby and support legislation for educational opportunities Serve on boards of education or local school advisory committees Start a parent group if one is not available National organizations Often provide magazines, journals, bibliographies, and other information on services to help you with you gifted child The National Association for Gifted Children Rimm, 2007

+ References Colangelo, N., Dettman, D. F. (1983). A review of research on parents and families of gifted children. Exceptional children; The council for exceptional children, 50(1), Rimm, S. (2007). Keys to parenting the gifted child (3rd ed.). Scottsdale, AZ: Great Potential Press, Inc. Ruf, D. (2009). Some do’s and don’ts for raising your gifted child. Supporting emotional needs of the gifted: Changing lives, changing futures. Retrieved from dont-for-raising-your-gifted-kids Silverman, L. (2009). What we have learned about gifted children. Gifted development center: Embracing giftedness. Received from learned- about-gifted-children. Webb, J. (n/d) Ten suggestions for parents of gifted children. Retrieved from of_Gifted_Children.pdf Webb, J., Meckstroth, E., Tolan, S. (2006). Guiding the gifted child: A practical source for parents and teachers. Scottsdale, AZ: Gifted Psychology Press