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Gifted Children: Boosting academic confidence?
The topic of "gifted children"
sure hit a cord with many of you. My email box is loaded with
questions. I'll try to answer as many of your questions as possible
here on my blog. Read through some of these questions, and feel free to
leave one of your own for the future.
My son has been nominated to participate in the gifted program the last two years, but his lack of self confidence holds him back from being accepted. Is there a way to boost his self confidence? --Laura
My son has been nominated to participate in the gifted program the last two years, but his lack of self confidence holds him back from being accepted. Is there a way to boost his self confidence? --Laura
There
are many ways to boost a child’s self-confidence. Allow him to
experience situations that are just slightly more of a challenge so he
feels success. Identify one (no more than two) specific strengths that
deserve praise (like special knowledge about dinosaurs or a kind heart)
and continue to remind him of that strength in little nuggets until he
describes the trait to you (you'll know it’s been internalized and is
impacting his self image). Find him social avenues like one or two good
buddies that can make him feel good about who he is. If the problem is
shyness then read The Shy Child and teach a few anxiety
reducers so he feels less stressed in a group. And most importantly,
love him for who he is. Don't stress that gifted class so he gets the
notion you're letting him down because he is not in the program.All that said, there is a red flag here. Why is your child being declined to a gifted program because he lacks self confidence? First, a strong characteristic of gifted children is that they are sensitive by nature. Second, the basis for nomination into a program for gifted children is high intelligence. So look over the list of characteristics of gifted kids. Does your child show many of those traits? If you still feel your child is truly gifted, ask for an individual IQ test. You'll have to show grounds for the test (it might be high achievement scores as well as those characteristics).
Bottom line- lack of self-confidence shouldn't be a reason for holding a child from a gifted program if he is truly gifted.
More Q&As about gifted children:
- Are we pushing too hard?
- Should she go to public or private school?
- Should I even bother labeling my child as gifted?
- Why are parents embarrassed of having smart kids?
- How can I boost my child's academic confidence?
Dr. Michele Borba is the author of over 22 books including 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know .
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My daughter is in 4th grade and has been in our public schools girfted program sinces 1st grade. They always worked a grade level ahead. This year they have changed it
and are working at grade level. I don't know if you are familiar with the PSSA testing in Pa. But my daughter scored a perfect score. She was a bit bored last year in math and is really bored so far this year.
any suggestions on how i can keep nuture her interests in math.....
You did not mention the signs of how to know if you have a gifted child,can you tell me?
I have three children. Two of them attend the same school and were both tested mentally gifted last year in the 98th percentile. I was overwhelmed and excited at the same time. The school was not very helpful in the transition from average to "MG" for both of my children. They expected more from them then the average and simple things that my children missed became major failures in the eyes of thier teachers. For example, if my daughter(13) was caught talking amongst her peers she was sent to the student dean without question. If my son(8) left his homework folder home, its was the worst thing in the world per his teacher. Its like they cannot make simple or common mistakes as children.. and now all this has me wondering if by me putting a label on them has set them for failure per their teachers and even has me wondering if I should even have my youngest tested.
A loving, nurturing, open home helps wonders in boosting academic confidence. Because if your open to the idea that your child is simply not interested and nurture that idea, I think that will a long way over coaxing (parent leading) them into the idea. The question I would ask myself as a parent is, "Would it be so detrimental to my child if he/she made the choice for himself [to attend the program]?" Because either way, the child would be recieving an education, and if you feel the child needs more stimulation, then you could provide that on your own time. No one really needs a gifted program to be academically or culturally stimulated.