Resources for Parents of Gifted Children
Parents of gifted children are presented with an array of questions and possibilities for recognizing and supporting their kids' talents and abilities.
What is the definition of giftedness? What are the criteria?
How do I know if my child is gifted? What should parents looks for?
How do I help my child develop his or her skills to their potential?
What kind of school and learning environment can serve my child's needs?
What social, behavioral, and emotional characteristics are common to gifted children?
These can be challenging questions for parents to answer, but there is a community of gifted educators and a wealth of resources and information to help. These are some organizations, websites, and authors that guide parents in understanding gifted children:
Organizations and Websites
Books and Authors
- Selected Writings and Speeches by Annemarie Roeper and Linda Kreger Silverman (A broad, humanistic approach to the understanding of gifted children)
- Counseling the Gifted and Talented by Linda Kreger Silverman (A practical guide to the psychological needs of gifted students)
- Upside-Down Brilliance by Linda Kreger Silverman (An astute, entertaining overview of the visual-spatial learner)
- Keys to Parenting the Gifted Child by Sylvia B. Rimm (A short introduction to many of the questions facing the parents of a gifted child)
- The Moral Intelligence of Children by Robert Coles (A caring reminder of the importance of character. Although this book is not specifically focused on gifted children, moral-interpersonal intelligence is one area where many gifted children are well advanced.)
- Respect by Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot (A series of portraits of "morally gifted" adults, who have been able to find meaningful and important roles in the world.)
- The Children's Machine by Seymour Papert (An overview of the role of computers in education by an educational visionary)
- The Gifted Adult by Mary-Elaine Jacobsen (An overview of the advantages and complexities of being gifted in the adult world)
- Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Phillips Feynman (Essays on finding one's own way in the world by one of the 20th century greatest scientist)
- The Myth of Laziness by Mel Levine (A highly readable and cogent book on learning differences which many gifted children experience)