Gifted children are adept at identifying ways to hone in on their strengths and improve upon their weaknesses. However, their sense of pride and independence can sometimes make them reluctant to come forward when they are experiencing a problem at school. For this reason, it is important to be alert for signs that your child is struggling in their current educational program such as a drop in their grades or unfinished projects. Seeing any of these signs warrants a serious parent to child conversation, and asking these open-ended questions will reveal more about what your child needs to be successful both academically and socially.
Why Didn’t You Finish Your Assignment?
For a parent, it is frustrating to discover that your child has not been completing assignments that you know should have been easy to accomplish given their abilities. Yet, asking your child this question may uncover surprising reasons for their procrastination. A gifted child who has become bored or worried about failure will simply stop performing. If your child reveals a lack of enthusiasm or claims the assignment was stupid or too easy, it may be time to look into a more rigorous course of study that is designed for gifted learners.
Who Do You Play With at Recess?
While parents tend to view school as a place for academics, kids tend to view it as a social arena. Gifted students, however, sometimes feel out of place with their peers. In some instances, they can even be shunned or bullied for their wise-beyond-their-years personalities. Your child should be able to mention a couple of friends. If not, then you may probe further to find out what they do during their break time. In the event that your child is struggling socially, placing them in an environment with other gifted students will help them learn how to interact socially with their peers.
How Do You Relax?
It looks so easy to adults when gifted students sail through their assignments with flying colors. Yet, these kids put a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed. If left unchecked, this pressure can lead to anxiety and other signs of stress. Your child should list several things they can do during the day to decompress such as deep breathing, exercise and meditation. Enrolling your child in enrichment courses such as yoga and sports after school can also give them some time away from the rigors of academic study.
If You Could Change Anything, What Would You Change About School?
Gifted students are perceptive and their strong skills at evaluating a situation often lead to them uncovering things in their environment that are just not working. This question allows your child to take their answer to any area in their learning that needs to be addressed. For example, your child may say that the traditional letter grading system used in their school teaches them nothing. Instead, they may prefer written feedback from their teachers on their assignments. Alternatively, your musically gifted child may wish they had more time to perfect their talent. Finding a school that promotes individual learning styles will be more effective for this type of student.
Out of everyone else in the world, your child knows best what they need to succeed. Even a child in early elementary will be able to tell you if they are bored, frustrated or lonely. Take the time today to have a frank discussion with your child that will give you fresh insight into how to give them an enriching educational environment that supports the needs of gifted students.
