Parenting Practices to Support Gifted Children (continued)

Writing

Learning to put thoughts on paper is a process that takes most gifted children many years of sustained effort to master. Parents can help by encouraging their children to write by finding writing workshops and writing mentors. One successful program for older elementary-aged gifted students and teens has been the distance writing program offered via Johns Hopkins Institute for the Academic Advancement of Youth (IAAY). In that program, young writers are paired with experienced writing mentors and the effect has been remarkably good for the gifted students who have been followed over time.

Mathematics

Some gifted children are fascinated by math, become quite proficient early in elementary school and move beyond the standard math curriculum at surprisingly young ages. Finding them appropriate instruction is difficult. Their parents can find academic challenge for them in math competitions and the Math League materials. The IAAY program provides summer math programs, mathematics courses via the Internet, and reliable research on the outcomes of accelerated and enriched math instruction. An important resource for parents is the book, Developing Mathematical Talent: A Guide for Challenging and Educating Gifted Students by Susan Assouline and Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik.

Science

Some gifted students are fascinated by topics in science and seek out information and opportunities for direct experiences. Science museums for children are an invaluable resource. For example, the New York Hall of Science in Queens offers numerous exhibits, programs, materials and after school clubs to foster experiences in science. The Liberty Science Center in Jersey City is also a well-known resource as is the Museum of Natural History on Manhattan’s West Side.Well-organized experiences in science, especially research based experiences outside of formal schools, can have a lifelong impact on students who participate. To view one vivid example of a free standing science program that had a significant educational impact, click on the link at the end of this article showing young teens working in an IBM-sponsored lab.

Music and Art

For musical children, listening to good music is a vital part of a musical education as Wynton Marsalis in his wonderful video series, Marsalis on Music, reminds us. This can be as simple (and free) as turning on the radio or borrowing recordings from the local public library. Immersion in quality listening is something all parents can offer their children.

For artistic children, parents need to provide “unscheduled” time, a variety of materials and the freedom to work in a space that does not need to be neat. A corner of a room with a desk or drawing board is more than enough. You need not set up an entire studio! Creative children thrive on the opportunity to experiment with materials and develop their own products.

Most cities are rich in opportunities for music and art development. Music schools offer individual and group lessons as well as solo, ensemble and orchestral performing; art museums often provide weekend programs. For young artists and musicians, much of their talent development depends upon their interactions with adult artists and musicians. They need their parents to help them find these resources. To read about the actual experiences of parents of acclaimed young pianists and sculptors, take a look at Developing Talent in Young People by Benjamin Bloom.