Your child may be gifted; but remember the whole child
Giftedness refers to exceptional abilities in one or more areas, such as intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership skills. Your child may be gifted; but remember the whole child. Gifted children often exhibit advanced intellectual abilities, limitless curiosity, and a deep interest in specific activities. Along with these strengths, however, they may also face social, emotional, and developmental challenges that require special attention. Understanding and supporting a gifted child requires careful consideration of his/her unique needs.
One of the key aspects of coping with a gifted child is recognising the possible unrelated progress of their intellectual and emotional development. For example, a child might excel academically but struggle with issues such as managing emotions and fitting in with peers. It is crucial to work on emotional intelligence alongside academic skills, ensuring the child develops resilience and self-awareness.
Gifted children need a stimulating environment that demands exploration; and challenges their abilities. Gifted children often thrive when they are exposed to various learning opportunities, such as advanced classes, enrichment programmes, or mentorships. But… avoid overwhelming the child with excessive pressure to perform or conform to expectations.
Experts in this field suggest:
- encouraging gifted children to do things they’re bad at,
- giving gifted children the tools they need to succeed,
- getting help if you need it,
- avoiding assuming your child will always be gifted – your child could simply be having an intellectual growth spurt that won’t necessarily mean he/she will be academically outstanding for the rest of time –
- providing intellectual challenges,
- being open-minded about gifted children’s choice of friends because they may befriend older children, which can be alarming because their emotional maturity is more in line with their age group,
- being honest about your child’s abilities – that he/she acknowledges skills other than his/her own – and understands that no one has ever got a job based on being gifted at school.
Encouraging balance is important. Gifted children may become hyper-focused on one interest, so guiding them toward a variety of activities – including sport, the arts, or social clubs – can help them build well-rounded skills and manage stress. Open communication is vital: listening to their concerns, supporting their interests, and helping them navigate social dynamics can ease the emotional burdens that sometimes accompany giftedness. If you are struggling to cope with your gifted child, remember we, at Capulum College, are qualified to guide you.
Ultimately, coping with a gifted child means embracing their uniqueness while providing the emotional, social, and intellectual support they need to thrive in, and out of, school.
For more information visit: https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/8-ways-support-gifted-child/