“My son Aaron is a gifted child. He was talking by age 2, quickly and fully potty trained by age 3, and reading on his own by age 4,” said Virginia K. “Still, I was shocked when the school psychologists tested him and his IQ score came back as 156.”
If you have noticed that your child masters milestones before other children his age or has an exceptional talent in the visual or performing arts, he may be gifted.
Gifted children may read early or have an exceptional memory, accompanied by a seemingly endless curiosity and need to learn. If testing has shown your child is gifted, or you believe he may be, here are a few ways you can nurture your child’s strengths and help him explore new interests.
1. Satisfy your child’s need to learn
A gifted child may become bored quickly with what their peers consider the “must have” toys. Provide your gifted child with toys that satisfy his need to learn and challenge his problem solving skills. Also, help your child select books that are appropriate for both his reading level and his age. Include plenty of nonfiction books.
2. Expose your child to educational activities
It can be difficult to completely satisfy your gifted child’s quest for knowledge at home. Look for educational activities available in your community that suit your child’s strengths and select activities that introduce new things. Take him to visit new places, like museums, planetariums, and historical sites. Children too young for a class may enjoy story hour at the library or bookstore.
3. Ask open-ended questions
When you visit a new place or try a new activity, ask your child questions that will challenge him to think and problem-solve. Also, be prepared to answer his questions and offer to help him research the answer.
4. Help your child stay engaged with learning
Gifted students are not always successful in school. They may lack interest in the curriculum or the curriculum isn’t challenging or engaging. Assess your child’s educational environment each year and adjust it to match her growth and needs. Put your child in the best school you can afford or find a good school with a flexible environment where your child can advance at her own pace.
5. Pay attention to any social or behavioral issues
Gifted kids are almost comparable to special needs children. While their IQs are high, they may have behavioral aspects that need special attention. Their social/emotional maturity may lag far behind intellectual skills, making them out of sync with other kids the same age. Allow your child to act her chronological age. Talk to a child psychologist or your school counselor for additional suggestions.
