Understanding Gifted/Talented Children Series - Pt III - Social/Emotional Issues

First of all, let's get one thing straight. The needs of a gifted child is the same as those of other children. They go through the same developmental stages, just usually at an earlier age.

There are some unique social and emotional issues that gifted children face. It is important to recognize these issues and help our children deal with any problems they may face as a result of their giftedness.

Generally, gifted children seem to be better adjusted than most children their age, are very independent, and usually know exactly what they want.

However, gifted children are usually very aware of their differences as related to their age-mates, and for some finding real friends can sometimes be a difficult and disappointing task because of the differences.

Gifted children are sometimes introverted and like to spend time alone, but at the same time they are eager to have contact with friends their own age. Becoming active in social interests such as sports, music, art lessons, or some other interest activity outside of school will help the gifted child develop relationships with other children who share their interests and talents.

It is not uncommon for gifted students to relate their self-worth to their success in school. Because of their tendency toward perfectionism, this can result in a feeling of low self-worth. If this should happen, we need to help them set reasonable goals for themselves and create opportunities for them to feel more positive about themselves and their talents.

Children often experience and internal "tug-of-war" between themselves and being what they think everyone wants them to be.

To help your gifted child be sure to:

• nurture and encourage your child's unique talents
• help your child set reasonable goals
• encourage friendships with other children who have common interests and abilities
• accept your child as an individual and openly express that acceptance
• be flexible without being too permissive
• if you notice problems....communicate them with the school/teacher and let's solve the problem together!

You can access the previous posts in this series below:


Understanding Gifted/Talented Children series - Part I - Characteristics of Gifted Children

 Understanding Gifted/Talented Children series - Part II - Encouraging Creativity


Dee

Typical Characteristics of Gifted Children

As a teacher of Gifted/Talented students, I get questions pertaining to giftedness often. One of the questions I hear most often, from parents and other teachers is, how do I know my child/student is gifted?

Today's post will begin a new series on Gifted/Talented children. The purpose of these posts is to help parents and teachers of gifted/talented children assist these children in reaching their fullest potential.

Understand, there is no one test that can determine the giftedness of an individual. As educators, we use a multitude of information to determine a child's giftedness.

Characteristics of Gifted Children

Keep in mind, you most likely will not see all of these characteristics in any child.  These are the typical characteristics that may be seen:

• high level of language/verbal development
• high level of curiosity
• very sensitive
• creative
• often intensely motivated/persistent/ goal-oriented
• many times will resist direction or interruption
• often critical toward others
• dislikes routine and drill work
• prefers individualized work/needs freedom of movement and action
• has difficulty with criticism and is vulnerable to peer rejection
• can see diverse and unusual relationships
• unrealistic self-expectations/ often a perfectionist
• able to generate original and ideas and solutions
• has a keen sense of humor
• displays an increase sense of justice
• shows leadership ability
• has inconsistencies between intellectual maturity and social, emotional, and physical development
• sometimes may show poor test performance and achievement in basic skills areas
• daily work may frequently be incomplete or poorly done
• may have low self-esteem
• inability to focus attention and concentrate efforts on tasks
• difficulty making and keeping friends

Some of these characteristics seem to contradict one another, however, these are typical behaviors of gifted children. Your child or student may exhibit some but not all of these characteristics at one time or another.

Do you have a child or student that exhibits some of these characteristics?

Check back for the next installment in this gifted information series. I will be talking next on Encouraging Creativity.

Dee