As parents watch their child grow and progress, they often notice their child’s preferences and behavioral tendencies. Some parents may notice that their child seems different from other children their age. Perhaps their child seems overly sensitive or has excessive amounts of anxiety. Or, maybe their child expresses high levels of boredom and frustration. These could all be signs of giftedness.
“Children are gifted when their ability is significantly above the norm for their age.” (National Assoc. For Gifted Children). Giftedness can come in a variety of ways including intellectually, artistically, creatively and more. Gifted children have abilities and talents in one or more areas that far surpass their peers and often even adult capabilities. We encourage parents to monitor their child’s intellectual and emotional development and to consider giftedness if their child seems different.
Here are five simple tips to help parents who believe that their child is gifted:
Seek Professional Guidance
Supporting a gifted child can be challenging and sometimes even frustrating for parents. It’s important for parents who believe that their child may be gifted to seek guidance and support from professionals. Compass Charter Schools (CCS) has a team of credentialed counselors that guide parents who believe that their child is gifted. They offer professional perspectives on a child’s gifted abilities and also provide recommendations to other professionals to help during the process. Once a child is confirmed to be gifted, CCS’ counselors offer support to help gifted children and their families work together and succeed. Parents with a gifted child who seek professional guidance are more likely able to support their child and help them succeed academically, socially and emotionally.
Create Intellectual Challenges
As children grow they naturally develop interests, hobbies, and talents. Parents often encourage their children to pursue and perfect the talents that they are already good at doing. When gifted children pursue talents or hobbies that they’re already good at, they may start to feel bored and unchallenged, which can cause them to act out and express frustration. To avoid this, parents with a gifted child can challenge their child to pursue activities that they have not mastered yet. For example, if a gifted child is very advanced in math, then it may be a challenging and exciting experience for that child to pursue a stronger understanding of art. Parents can help their gifted child avoid boredom and frustration by encouraging them to pursue new intellectual challenges in new activities or topics that they are not confident in yet.
Allow Choices
As we mentioned above, intellectual challenges are important for gifted children. However, it’s also important that parents avoid over-scheduling their gifted child in an effort to create those intellectual challenges. Over-scheduling any child, including a gifted child, can lead to exhaustion and other forms of mental and physical distress. We encourage parents to give their gifted children breaks from their academic studies by inviting them to choose extracurricular activities that peak their personal interests. Giving gifted children choices can encourage their sense of independence and leadership, and it can also help strengthen their decision-making skills. Extracurricular activities can offer exciting challenges for gifted children while also encouraging them to socialize and have fun with their peers. Allowing gifted children to choose their own extracurricular activities is a simple yet impactful way that parents can support them.
Avoid Favoritism
Parents with a gifted child often have other children who may not be gifted. In these situations, it’s important that parents avoid showing favoritism or using their gifted child as the example that other children should emulate. We encourage parents to keep in mind that each child is unique and should be encouraged to express their individuality without trying to compete or follow their siblings. Avoiding these tendencies can help children who are not gifted feel special and appreciated while also helping gifted children practice some humility and empathy. When parents treat all of their children the same (gifted or not) they are more likely to create a healthy, encouraging and supportive dynamic at home.
Encourage Understanding
Parents with a gifted child can support them by talking with them about their gifts and abilities. We believe that it’s important for gifted children to understand what makes them different from their peers and also what makes them similar. When gifted children are aware of their unique abilities they are more likely able to develop an understanding and acceptance of other children, which can help with their social and emotional development. Parents can support their gifted child by helping them develop a sense of empathy for other children who do not share their unique abilities. In doing so, parents often help their gifted child develop a sense of humility and compassion, and decrease any feelings of superiority. Parents can seek professional support if they don’t feel comfortable explaining this information to their gifted child.
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Compass Charter Schools (CCS) is a WASC-accredited virtual charter school that serves families throughout California. Interested in learning more about CCS’ flexible academic programs? Visit our website, or contact our enrollment team at enrollment@compasscharters.org or (877) 506-8631.