The Important Role of Parent Support Groups
Jo Freitag
A presentation and discussion on the social and emotional support needs of academically gifted children. Emphasis will be placed on the experiences and challenges of parenting gifted and the role of social support groups
NEEDS
GAGNE Model of Factors which Influence the Development of Innate Giftedness into Fully Realised Talent emphasises the importance of environmental factors
Temperament/Personality
(Adaptability, attitudes, competitiveness,
independence, self-esteem, values etc.)
GiftednessAptitude domains
INTELLECTUALReasoning (eg. visual, spatial) memory, judgment etcCREATIVEOriginality, inventiveness, Humour, etc.SOCIOAFFECTIVELeadership, empathy, self-awareness, etcSENSORIMOTORStrength, fine motor control,Endurance, flexibility, etc.OTHERSExtrasensory perception, gift of healing etc
MotivationINITIATIVE
NEEDS, INTERESTSPERSERVERANCE
DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSLearning – Training – Practising
SURROUNDINGSHome, school, community, etc
PERSONSParents, teachers, mentors, etc.
UNDERTAKINGSActivities, courses, programs etc.
EVENTSEncounters, awards, accidents, etc.
TalentsFields relevant
to school-age youthACADEMICS
Language, science etcGAMES OF STRATEGY
Chess, puzzles, video, etc.TECHNOLOGY
Mechanics, computers, etcARTS
Visual, drama, music, etc.SOCIAL ACTION
Tutoring, school, politics, etcBUSINESS
Sales, entrepreneurship, etcATHLETICS & SPORTS
INTRAPERSONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
CATALYSTS (POSITIVE/NEGATIVE IMPACTS)
NEEDSNORMALCYSome things which are the exception in the general population are par for the course for the gifted : what Lesley Sword calls “Normal for gifted”
IQ Bell Curve
Columbus Group Definition
Dabrowski Overexcitabilities
Introversion
Visual Spatial Learners
Perfectionism
Creativity and ‘different thinking’
NEEDS
EXAMPLES
EXCELLENCE
EXTENSION
NEEDS
EXTRA INFORMATION AND MYTH BUSTING
This is where Gifted Resources can be useful
NEEDS
DIALOGUE AND TEAMWORK
CHILD
Psychologist Parent Teacher
NEEDS
SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
SUPPORT
This is where a Support Group can be useful
Parent Support Groups are needed...
• For social contact for parents• for mutual encouragement and ‘been
there-done that!’• for opportunity for parents to learn about
how they can support their children• for an opportunity for children to spend
time with like-minded peers
Learning about giftedness from guest speakers
Spending time together...
Star-B-Ques
Going on excursions
Craft days
Games days - chess, strategy games etc
Learning about topics of interestand sharing expertise, interests and passions
Fun with workshops with authors and illustrators
Community education about giftedness with display in the library
BACK
Asynchronous Development• Giftedness is asynchronous development in
which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counselling in order for them to develop optimally.
• (The Columbus Group, 1991).
BACK
Dabrowski’sOverexcitabilities
• The five areas are: • Psychomotor• Sensual • Imaginational • Intellectual • Emotional • (From Dabrowski's Over-excitabilities
A Layman's Explanation• by Stephanie Tolan http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/dabrowskis.htm )
BACK
Perfectionism
Many gifted people are perfectionists.Sometimes gifted children will refuse to do something unless they are sure the result will be perfect. The result they are aiming for is adult excellence and they put a great deal of stress on themselves by trying to produce it. Often the stress comes also from competition with others and from expectations (real or perceived) which are put on them
It is good to encourage to aim for excellence but not be paralysed by perfectionism.
BACK
EXAMPLE : CHRISTIAN’S TEDDY DRAGONS
http://www.giftedresources.org/jo/teddydragons.htm
Creativity, freedom of expression, outside the box thinking
Tedling hatching Tedlings learn statistics by osmosis
TD language and maths systems
BACK
Gifted Resources is like...
A bookshop
A reference library
A news service
BACK To E
Gifted Resources is like...
A service locater
An Internet facilitator
A help/advice line
BACK TO E
Gifted Resources is like...A networking facilitator
An Information booth
A source of encouragement and social contact
An educator on giftedness
BACK TO E
GIFTED RESOURCES Contact Details:OfficeThe Centre for the Exceptional LearnerLuther CollegePlymouth RdCroydonVictoria 3136AustraliaPhone:(03)9724 2452Mobile 0417 481 919
Postal address:PO Box 4176Croydon HillsVictoria 3136AustraliaPhone:(03)9876 1349
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail newsletter: [email protected] Website: www.giftedresources.org
•I would like to receive the Gifted Resources E-mail Newsletter [ ] •I would like to order an Information Kit folder ($30) [ ]•I would like information about Lectures, Workshops and Film/Discussions presented by Gifted Resources [ ]•I would like information about the books and other resources available for sale from Gifted Resources [ ]•I would like to join the Gifted Resources Library ($20 per annum) [ ]•I would like to arrange for Jo Freitag to speak, facilitate a film discussion or give a presentation to my group [ ]
How can Gifted Resources help you?