Gifted students have unique academic, social, and emotional needs that may not be fully met in the classroom. They often require more challenge, stimulation, and support to thrive and reach their potential. As a parent, educator, or mentor, you can play a vital role in supporting gifted students outside the classroom. Here are some ways to do that.
Gifted students are naturally curious and creative, yet they may experience pressure, boredom, or frustration in their learning environment. To help them, you can foster their curiosity and creativity outside of the classroom. This can be done by providing them with books, games, puzzles, and other materials that will challenge their thinking and spark their interest. Additionally, exposing them to different topics, cultures, and perspectives can broaden their horizons and inspire new questions. Furthermore, encourage them to pursue their passions and hobbies while providing opportunities to showcase their talents and skills. Lastly, support their experimentation and risk-taking while celebrating successes and failures as learning opportunities.
Recognising and fostering each exceptional student's curiosity and creativity is a major component of supporting them outside of the classroom. Active participation in workshops, camps, and extracurricular activities will cater to their interests. They can be assisted to carry out independent study or projects. Also parents can create a conducive environment at home for their child's continued learning and growth.
Yes, encourage them to pursue all their interests and passions. If they want to learn, getting a tutor is one of the best and most effective interventions. Even half an hour a week produces great results.
Gifted and talented students need to develop their social and emotional skills as well. With their advanced understanding of the world around them, these children benefit greatly from small group interaction with like-minded peers. They also need to learn how to integrate interpersonal skills with their rapid learning and task commitment. More than just giving them opportunities to showcase who they are or anymore than with puzzles and academic rigor, these children must engage with their communities and peers. Gifted and talented students also require emotional support to help them learn to cope with failure, develop patience with themselves and the journey. It's not about instant gratification and having the answers all the time.
Gifted students may feel isolated or misunderstood by their classmates, teachers, or family members, and they may struggle with social skills, peer pressure, or self-esteem. To help them, you can connect them with peers and mentors outside the classroom. Enrolling them in extracurricular activities, clubs, or programs that match their interests and abilities is a great way to introduce them to like-minded peers. Additionally, seeking out mentors, role models, or experts who can offer guidance and feedback can challenge them to grow and excel. Furthermore, facilitating online or offline interactions with other gifted students or communities can provide an outlet for sharing ideas, experiences, and feelings while also offering support and friendship.
Connecting them with peers or mentors is essential. As an educator or leader, you need to understand the needs of the gifted and talented students group. One thing I do with my gifted and talented students is to connect them with industry experts or researchers in their areas of interest. It not just helps them to broaden their social-emotional skills but, also helps them to make some connections outside the school/classroom.
Gifted students may face high expectations, stress, or anxiety in their academic or personal lives, as well as perfectionist tendencies, emotional sensitivity, or difficulty coping with failure or criticism. To help them foster self-regulation and resilience outside the classroom, you can teach them strategies to manage their time and tasks, set realistic goals, and prioritize their well-being. Additionally, you can help them develop a growth mindset, where they view challenges as learning opportunities rather than threats to their self-worth. Furthermore, model and practice positive coping skills such as relaxation, mindfulness, self-compassion, and problem-solving. Finally, provide a safe and supportive environment where they can express their emotions and needs and where they can receive unconditional love and acceptance.
Um Selbstregulierung und Resilienz gezielt aufzubauen ist es sinnvoll offen in einem angstfreien und freundlichen Klassenklima darüber zu reden. Am besten in dem konkrete Situationen, in denen diese Eigenschaften ben?tigt werden, hypothetisch achtsam durchlebt und durchgesprochen werden, damit die SuS im realen Setting dann gewappnet sind: "Lernen durch konkretes Handeln, um tr?ges Wissen zu vermeiden".
Gifted students may encounter barriers, biases, or misconceptions that limit their access to appropriate educational opportunities or resources. They may also face discrimination, bullying, or underachievement due to their giftedness. You can help them by advocating for their needs and rights outside the classroom. To do this, you should educate yourself and others about the characteristics, needs, and challenges of gifted students, and dispel myths and stereotypes about them. Additionally, communicate and collaborate with your student's teachers, school administrators, or counselors to request or suggest modifications, accommodations, or enrichment options that suit your student's needs and goals. Furthermore, seek out or create advocacy groups, networks, or organizations that support gifted education and awareness to join or support their efforts and initiatives. Finally, empower your student to advocate for themselves and help them develop the skills, confidence, and courage to do so.
Gifted students may overwork, overthink, or overcommit themselves, and neglect their physical, mental, or emotional health. To help them maintain balance and have fun outside the classroom, encourage them to engage in activities that relax, refresh, or energize them. Assist them in finding a balance between academic and personal commitments and respect their limits. Remind them to laugh, play, and enjoy life - join them in doing so! Appreciate them for who they are and celebrate their uniqueness and diversity.
I see mental health was also addressed above near the section on Encouraging Curiosity and Creativity. I chose to address it here with integrating fun into activities because it is important that Gifted isn't like a punishment where you have to do extra work. It should be an incentive where you get to do different work. I can appreciate where you may make young students try something that they haven't tried before because they may not know if they are interested in it or not. Once they've tried it though, I let them pick and choose what they want to do based on their interests, regardless of where their gifted abilities lie.
To consider needs of gifted is to make good changes for all. As the article mentioned, gifted people are likely to struggle for controlling emotions, behaviors, or overcoming multiple difficulties. Parents and teachers would provide them alternative supports, solutions and regulations then. I consider they should be available for all, not only for special ones. When a gifted is provided a quiet space and time for cooling down himself, the teacher or parent should explain others why he is doing so and how they can access it when they need. The rules should be: 1. Tell what you feel to teacher or parent. 2. Discuss the palace and time you need. Being aware of their condition and what they need is develop their independence!!! Thanks!
I've seen that gifted students are their own guide, in that they have their own preferences, likes and dislikes. Nevertheless, being young they're in dire need of direction, be it through parents or teacher etc It is drastically wrong to allow them to drift away into no man's land land which in their innocence they might be attracted towards. So, they perhaps are in greater need to be convinced against certain ideas that might have serious consequences, without being hindered from childhood pursuits. Because, as adults, it's easy to disallow what's childish (immature) behaviour. Mind you that doesn't mean letting them behave unethically, but just look away without them noticing - sometimes. Child thinks noone knows. But Mom always knows