Spend time together doing enriching or creative activities

Read books. Visit libraries or museums. Watch enriching television programs or videos. Attend cultural events. Have conversations about world issues on the news. Talk about what is happening at school and build on the activities provided. Daydream. Make up imaginary stories. Draw. Encourage expression in a variety of mediums.

Avoid over-extending in extracurricular activities

Your child may have varying and vast interests and want to be involved in multiple activities. Help your child set realistic goals and schedules.

Explain what giftedness means

Make sure your child knows what it means to be gifted. Use state definitions or explain how your child was selected for a program. Discuss gifted characteristics you see in your child and ways to cope with them. Make sure your child doesn't use gifted characteristics as an excuse, manipulation tool, or bragging right.

Realize your child is not an adult
If your child gets along well with adults, understands and contributes to adult conversation, and uses an advanced vocabulary, others may expect more out of your child than is realistically appropriate.

Avoid comparing your child to other children

Your child is a special individual with diverse gifts and talents. Focus on developing those gifts and talents to the fullest potential instead of comparing him or her to others.

Listen

Your child may have a lot of questions or special concerns. Your child may want to discuss special plans, projects, interests, worries, or dreams. Actively listen. Ask questions to enhance conversation. Take the time to find out about information in which your child is interested.

Remind your child mistakes are acceptable

Mistakes are a part of learning, growing, and finding workable solutions. Make sure your child does not equate making a mistake with failure as an individual. Study famous people and discuss barriers and mistakes that led to their successes. Share your own mistakes and what you accomplished.

Help your child become an independent, contributing member of society

Participate in special interest projects. Help others. Model community building activities. Encourage your child's originality. Share real-life examples of times you did not go along with the crowd or times you helped others.

North Royalton City Schools

Gifted Intervention Specialists

Gifted Services

Gifted Identification And Services

Academic Acceleration - Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program

Individual Academic Acceleration

Websites Containing Information For Gifted Parents And Educators

Websites For Testing And College Preparation Information

Parent Opportunities

Helping Your Child Succeed