Resources for Parents of a Gifted Toddler
Where to Find Information, Advice and Support for the Gifted Child
Jul 28, 2009
Many times, the gifted child will not be recognized as gifted until he starts preschool or a kindergarten program. The teacher recognizes that the child is far ahead of his peers and recommends an evaluation. Where to go from here?
First Steps in Identifying a Gifted Child
Many schools will have references for psychologists and specialists who work with the gifted. Some of these same professionals may be the people who also identify children with special needs and problems within the school environment. These people can be good resources for finding others to evaluate the child. Note that the school personnel have the group’s interests as their priority and not a particular child. Therefore, it is always best to get an independent assessment.
Once the very young child has been labeled as gifted, the parent will need to research the programs and resources available in that area. Talking to school personnel, other parents, and private schools is a good starting point. Decisions will need to be made on whether to find a private school or leave the child in public classes for the elementary grades.
Schooling Decisions for the Gifted Elementary School Child
Unless there are specialized classes for the gifted in the school system, the parent may wish to investigate the private sector. The child will thrive in an individualized setting with small class size and the ability to progress at her own pace. Private school can be expensive, but often is worth the financial sacrifice.
Research and Information on the Gifted
The parent who reads as many books and articles on the subject of gifted children as possible, will be better prepared to make the big decisions. There are dozens of websites that offer valuable information and resources to the parents. Hoagiesgifted is one resource to use as a starting point. Honing in on resources that are local to one's area is a good tactic for finding other children who may be similarly endowed. Even a child who is slightly older or younger, but also labeled as gifted, will be a good contact for the child, even as an email pal. They will learn to share experiences and this contact will help the child see himself as one of a group and not an outsider.
There are organizations like the National Association for Gifted Children and the National Foundation for Gifted and Creative Children that can also provide parents with guidance and assistance in meeting the child’s needs. These and other similar organizations can be easily accessed with a web browser. (There are also many blogs written by parents of gifted children. One expert, Carol Fertig, writes a popular blog located on the Prufrock Press Web site).
The gifted child will be subject to asynchronous development , which simply means that his cognitive skills will advance at a rate that is faster than his emotional and physical states. The uniqueness of this state is particular to gifted children. Parents can learn much by understanding the mistakes that other parents of gifted kids have made in the past. Thus, contact with these families is extremely valuable.
In summary, learning as much as possible about the gifted is highly beneficial to the parents. Starting with school personnel, getting referrals to specialists, contacts with other families with gifted children and reading all the available materials will assure a good educational start for the gifted child. Raising a gifted child can be a monumental challenge, which is matched by wonderful and enriching rewards for the family, as well as the child.
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