Parenting Considerations for Raising Gifted Children |
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Gifted children often face unique challenges, like intensity and perfectionism, not just advantages.
There’s no one-size-fits-all curriculum, as giftedness varies widely among individuals.
Pressuring gifted kids can worsen perfectionism and dampen their motivation to learn.
Understanding and Accepting That Giftedness Presents Unique Problems
Some parents, grandparents, and other individuals who participate in raising gifted children as they mature into young adulthood may at first believe that exceptionally talented children and teens will be easy to raise because they are so smart, capable, and effective at certain activities. These teachers and caregivers may not be fully informed or experienced in working with certain types of giftedness and the unique challenges that are part of advanced learners’ approach to schooling.
From my own graduate education, teaching, and social experiences with gifted children and older individuals, including my own children, I know that intensity, perfectionism, and idiosyncrasies in social skills create challenges for parents, other caregivers, and teachers. These brave and often frustrated educators need help keeping up with gifted learners. Research on educating prodigies suggests that a progressive school that is accelerated and creative is the most likely to help gifted individuals learn to the best of their abilities. A flexible and complex curriculum and teaching approach will hold the interest of their intellectual and creative minds. A reduction of misbehavior is likely when advanced students are highly engaged in what they are doing.
The Hard Part of Raising Gifted........