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Gifted Parenting - Parenting a Gifted Child

Chronicling my journey as the mother of a gifted child.

Gracia MalaxEtxebarria, a gifted child, is in the midst of a court battle. In 2003, when she was just 9 years old she was refused by the education system of Queensland to advance to high school due to their concerns over her social development if she was allowed to do so. What ensued next is a lawsuit based on discrimination. In April the court ruled that no discrimination occurred but last October 4, Supreme Court justice John Helman granted Gracia's appeal. A new hearing has been set. More details here.

What makes this sad is that it had to end up in court. In the meantime I wonder how Gracia is doing.

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Posted By: Hope - Category: Research

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Quotes About the Gifted

November 7th 2006 01:08

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Here are several quotes I found about individuals who are gifted and issues concerning them:

"Adult surveys of gifted individuals reveal that they do not regret their acceleration. Rather, they regret not having accelerated more." – Lubinski, Webb, et al.

"Our kids are normal. They just aren't typical..." – Jim Delisle

"My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation." – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

"If they learn easily, they are penalized for being bored when they have nothing to do; if they excel in some outstanding way, they are penalized as being conspicuously better than the peer group. The culture tries to make the child with a gift into a one-sided person, to penalize him at every turn, to cause him trouble in making friends and to create conditions conducive to the development of a neurosis. Neither teachers, the parents of other children, nor the child peers will tolerate a Wunderkind. "– Margaret Mead, 1954

"Most teachers waste their time by asking questions which are intended to discover what a pupil does not know whereas the true art of questioning has for its purpose to discover what the pupil knows or is capable of knowing." – Albert Einstein

"Genius without education is like silver in the mine."– Benjamin Franklin

And my fave...

"The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive.
To him...
a touch is a blow,
a sound is a noise,
a misfortune is a tragedy,
a joy is an ecstasy,
a friend is a lover,
a lover is a god,
and failure is death.
Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create - - - so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating." – Pearl Buck

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Organizations Supporting Gifted Children

October 21st 2006 14:17

Gifted children and their parents needs support in order to further understand the needs of a gifted child as well as to learn how to properly parent them. For this joining local organizations geared towards gifted children and their guardians is an excellent way of meeting new friends while learning at the same time. Here are some organizations you may want to join:

American Association for Gifted Children
Center for Talent Development
Davidson Institute
John Hopkin's Center for Talented Youth
Mega Foundation
National Association for Gifted Children
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
World Council for Gifted and Talented Children
American Mensa
Mensa Canada
Australian Mensa

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Areas of Giftedness

September 23rd 2006 12:54

Angela and her Dad at the beach

When a child is gifted it doesn't necessarily mean that he/she excels in all areas or in every subject. As an example my daughter's reading and math skill is quite advance but her penmanship needs a lot of work.

There are different areas in which a child may be gifted in and it includes the following:
[ Click here to read more ]

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Ideal School?

September 18th 2006 18:23

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An ideal school for gifted learners is one that uses a differentiated curriculum designed to motivate and challenge the student. In addition to that, teachers should also be well-trained to address the needs of gifted learners. Also, the school should offer extra curricular activities and enrichment programs which will benefit students socially, physically, emotionally and mentally.

I've read a lot about TAG, a K to 8 school in New York using an accelerated curriculum and progressive teaching techniques. More info on Talented and Gifted School (TAG) here
[ Click here to read more ]

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Gifted Programs

September 17th 2006 17:39

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There are different programs created to support gifted learners. The two most commonly used programs are:

Acceleration - Children are placed at an academic level based on their academic performance and not based on their age. At the high school level this is known as Advanced Placement (AP), where students tackle college-level subjects and they receive credit for any completed work.
[ Click here to read more ]

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Assessment Tests

September 16th 2006 13:39

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Parents who suspect their child is gifted sometimes feel uncomfortable to have their kids tested. I can relate, when my daughter's teacher recommended she be tested for giftedness, I felt both elated and guilty. Elated because other people, especially a teacher, noticed that my child's intellect is quite advance for her age and thus confirmed something I've been suspecting for quite some time. But I also felt guilty because I didn't want my child to be burdened by any test and to feel pressured.

To appease my worries I did a lttile research on the types of tests she will be taking. I also talked to the tester and asked how the test will be conducted. I was assured that it will be presented like a game and that my child will not feel pressured in any way. I also spoke to my daughter so that she'll know what to expect.
[ Click here to read more ]

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Levels of Giftedness

September 14th 2006 12:41

Artwork she did in Kindergarten using watercolor

There are different levels of giftedness based on the child's IQ. Here is a general guide:

- Mildly Gifted - IQ 115 - 129
[ Click here to read more ]

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Early Signs of a Gifted Child

September 13th 2006 11:51

One of her artwork during preschool

The Davidson Institute for Talent Development have conducted numerous studies regarding gifted children. Among their studies are the early signs of possible giftedness in infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Among their findings that may show signs of giftedness are:

- Infants that are very alert
[ Click here to read more ]

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