Goodness of Fit: The Challenge of Parenting Gifted Children (continued)
Source: National Association for Gifted Children
Topics: Supporting Your Gifted Child, Nurturing Gifted Children at Home
As you may know, or can imagine, the challenge of parenting the gifted child is an exceptional one. The approach I have presented here is just one way to begin the process in finding a helpful means. Remember, finding that goodness of fit involves looking beyond the norm and differentiating for your child in the ways discussed through Validation, Affirmation, Affiliation, and Affinity. Please take the time to seek out as many of the resources available, tailoring your parenting experience in a manner that fulfills both your parenting experience and your child’s giftedness.
Parent Resources
National Association for Gifted Children Parents’ Resource http://www.nagc.org
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted http://www.sengifted.org
Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page http://www.hoagiesgifted.org
References
Lovecky, D. V. (2004). Different minds: Gifted children with AD/ HD, Asperger Syndrome, and other learning deficits. New York: Jessica Kingsley.
Mahoney, A. S. (1997). In search of gifted identity: From abstract concept to workable counseling constructs. Roeper Review, 20, 222–227.
Mahoney, A. S., Martin, D., & Martin, M. (2007). Gifted identity formation: A therapeutic model for counseling gifted children and adolescents. In S. Mendaglio & J. Sunde Peterson (Eds.), Models of counseling gifted children, adolescents, and young adults (pp. 199–227). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.
McCoach, D. B., Thomas, J. K., Bray, M. A., & Siegle, D. (2001). Best practices in the identification of gifted students with learning disabilities. Psychology in the Schools, 38, 403–411.
Author’s Note. Andrew Mahoney, M. S., L. P. C., L. M. F. T., is a counselor, marriage and family therapist, and director of The Counseling Practice of Andrew S. Mahoney, a counseling center for the gifted and talented in Pittsburgh, PA.
Parenting for High Potential is the quarterly magazine designed for parents who want to make a difference in their children's lives, who want to develop their children's gifts and talents, and who want to help them develop their potential to the fullest. Parenting for High Potential is a membership benefit of the National Association for Gifted Children. View more articles at http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=1180
Mile Marker Series No matter where you are as a parent on your journey in the world of gifted education, you will find high quality information from NAGC's vast online and printed resources all in one place, in this easy-to-use resource: http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=3546 Developed by experts in the field and parents who have traveled the route before, this series will help parents of high-ability children find useful, up-to-date, practical information and guidance. You're the driver and can take the path that best meets your needs.
Become an NAGC member and you'll open the door to many individuals who care about gifted children -- while at the same time you'll receive the benefits of membership that will keep you informed about the latest issues and events in gifted. Visit NAGC today. http://www.nagc.org/index2.aspx?id=367
Reprinted with the permission of the National Association for Gifted Children. ©2008 National Association for Gifted Children.
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