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BRIGHT CHILD GIFTED CHILD

Knows the answers Asks the questions

Is interested Is highly curious

Completes assignments Initiates projects

Copies accurately Creates new design

Is alert Is keenly observant

Is receptive Is intense

Answers the questions Discusses in detail---elaborates

Understands ideas Constructs abstractions

Absorbs information Manipulates information

Grasps the meaning Draws inferences

Listens with interest Shows strong feelings and emotions

Top group Beyond the group

Enjoys peers Prefers adults

Enjoys school Enjoys learning

Pleased with own learning Is highly self-critical

Is attentive Is mentally and physically involved

Has good ideas Has wild, silly ideas

Works hard Plays around, yet tests well

Learns with ease Already knows

6-8 repetitions for mastery 1-2 repetitions for mastery

Technician Inventor

Good memorizer Good guesser

Enjoys straightforward sequential presentation Thrives on complexity

Strengths and Problems of Gifted Children

Adaptation of Seagoe's list (1974) from Gifted Parent Groups: The SENG Model , 1998

STRENGTHS

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS

Acquires and retains information quickly Impatient with slowness of others; dislikes routine and drill; may resist mastering foundation skills; may make concepts unduly complex

Inquisitive attitude; intellectual curiosity; intrinsic motivation; searches for significance Asks embarrassing questions; strong-willed; resists direction; seems excessive in interests; expects same of others

Ability to conceptualize, abstract, synthesize; enjoys problem solving and intellectual activity Rejects or omits details; resists practice or drill; questions teaching procedures

Can see cause-effect relations Difficulty accepting the illogical, such as feelings, traditions, or matters to be taken on faith

Love of truth, equity and fair play Difficulty in being practical; worry about humanitarian concerns

Enjoys organizing things and people into structure and order; seeks to systematize Constructs complicated rules or systems; may be seen as bossy, rude, or domineering

Large vocabulary and facile verbal proficiency; broad information in advanced areas May use words to escape or avoid situations; becomes bored with school and age-peers; seen by others as a "know it all"

Thinks critically; has high expectancies; is self-critical and evaluates others Critical or intolerant towards others; may become discouraged or depressed; perfectionistic

Keen observer; willing to consider the unusual; open to new experiences Overly intense focus; occasional gullibility

Creative and inventive; likes new ways of doing things May disrupt plans or reject what is already known; seen by others as different or out of step

Intense concentration; long attention span in areas of interest; goal directed behavior; persistence Resists interruption; neglects duties or people during periods of focused interests, stubbornness

Sensitivity; empathy for others; desire to be accepted by others Sensitivity to criticism or peer rejection; expects others to have similar values; need for success and recognition; may feel different and alienated

High energy, alertness, eagerness; periods of intense effort Frustration with inactivity; eagerness may disrupt others' schedules; need continual stimulation; may be seen as hyperactive

Independent; prefers individualized work; self-reliant May reject parent or peer input; non-conformity; may be unconventional

Diverse interests and abilities; versatility May appear scattered and disorganized; frustrations over lack of time; others may expect continual competence.

Strong sense of humor Sees absurdities of situations; humor may not be understood by peers; may become 'class clown' to gain attention

Specific Problems of the Gifted

by Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D.

Confusion about the meaning of giftedness
Feeling different
Heightened sensitivity
Idealism
Feelings of inadequacy
Relentless self- criticism
Increased levels of inner conflict
Deep concerns with morality and justice
Lack of understanding from others
Unrealistic expectations of others
Hostility of others toward their abilities
Difficulty with social relationships
Difficulty in selecting amount a diversity of talents
Lack of sufficient challenge in schoolwork
Depression (often manifested as boredom)
High levels of anxiety
Hiding talents to fit in with peers
Nonconformity and resistance to authority
Refusal to do routine, repetitive tasks
Inappropriate criticizing of others
Excessive competitiveness
Isolation from peers
Low frustration tolerance
Intolerance of others
Lack of study habits

Causes of Underachievement

by Linda Kreger Silverman, Ph.D.

Fear of Failure
Fear of Success
Fear of lack of acceptance by peer group
Undetected learning disabilities
Lack of basic skills and study habits
Inappropriate educational activities
Too high or too low expectations of parents
Lack of parental support for education
Fear of overshadowing parent
Passive-aggression toward parent
Low frustration tolerance
Lack of impulse control
Low risk-taking abilities
Lack of competitiveness
Guilt for being advantaged intellectually
Interests in activities other that school
Cumulative deficits and belief in failure

5 Books for beginners

1.Keys to Parenting the Gifted Child by Sylvia Rimm
Concise, warm, and practical book for parents. Four page keys written on each of 42 topics such as Early Childhood Testing, Parent School Communication, Gender Issues for Gifted Children, Underachievement, Challenge Alternatives. Something on every age - from preschool through college age gifted children. Important insight into how easy it is to over-empower gifted children.

2.A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children by James Webb, et al
And the earlier, thinner Guiding the Gifted Child by Jim Webb, et al. Written by beloved psychologist and pioneer in social/emotional needs of the gifted. Thorough good first read and excellent reference to revisit over the years. Like the Dr. Spock for gifted.

3.Re-Forming Gifted Education by Karen Rogers
Self-help handbook on “Matching the Program to the Child”. Walks you through the steps of collecting information about your child, developing an educational plan, and talking with the school. Describes gifted programming options and when to use them. Includes worksheets to help you organize what you’ve learned and planned. Great research-based info on acceleration and grade-skipping.

4.Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults by James Webb et al
This must-read page turner helps lay-people and professionals understand how to recognize the differences between giftedness and disorders such as ADHD, bipolar, OCD, Asperger’s, and depression. “My advice to parents would be to read this book before your child is misdiagnosed and mistreated. – former pres. of APA.

5.Smart Boys by Barbara Kerr and Sanford Cohn (also Smart Girls by Barbara Kerr) Surprisingly spot-on descriptions of gender-specific milestones and danger zones for gifted children.

MSGT is a non-profit organization and is not affiliated with any city, state, private, or charter school. MSGT is run solely by volunteeers. All MSGT events are open to the public, regardless of city or district, and are intended to benefit gifted and talented students, their parents or guardians, and educators.