The Road Less Traveled

Today I read a blog post titled "How to Win an Argument with Your Gifted Child." In the article, the author told a story about her most recent argument with her gifted 10-year-old son. He wanted to ride his bike to the local Dairy Queen, but she thought it was too far for him to go by himself. I certainly understood why she was frustrated, but it's common for tweens and teens to argue with their parents. Arguing is a perfectly normal childhood behavior, at least for most kids. Kids want to be independent and take risks; parents want to protect their children. This battle for independence is the root of most parent/child conflict, regardless of the child's IQ score. However, the author took her article in a different direction. Instead of accepting that her issues are fairly universal, she blamed her struggles on...wait for it...her son's giftedness. Yeah, that's right. Apparently gifted children are "master manipulators" (her words, not mine). She

Anxiety. Depression. OCD. Mental health diagnoses have skyrocketed over the past few decades, especially in children and young adults. Kids who can't cope with reality are becoming the norm rather than the exception. Most parents passively accept that their children were "born anxious" and there's nothing they can do about it. But is this really true? In the 1990s, doctors began telling parents not to give peanuts to young children, out of fear that the children would have allergic reactions. At the time, doctors and parents assumed that avoiding peanuts would make children healthier and less prone to allergies. However, the opposite was true. When children were not exposed to peanuts early in life, they were MORE likely to develop a peanut allergy. It turns out that our immune systems are wired to fight off danger. When we don't get enough exposure to potential "threats" early in life, our immune systems start seeing danger where there isn't

A bright student... • Follows directions; copies and memorizes well • Prefers logical, step-by-step explanations • Is mature for his/her age • Performs at the top of the group • Does very well in a traditional classroom environment • Usually fits in well with peers • Tends to be satisfied with his/her performance A gifted learner... • Is independent and self-directed; creates new ideas and techniques • Understands things intuitively; often makes mental “leaps” • Is asynchronous; can be highly sensitive and intense • Is beyond the group • May struggle in a traditional classroom environment • May have trouble fitting in with peers • Can be highly self-critical The main difference between bright and gifted children is that gifted children are  more . More intuitive, more sensitive, more intense, more out-of-sync. In this case, "more" does not always mean "better." Gifted learners often struggle to find acceptance within their schools, their communities,

What do you think of when you hear the word "smart"? A little kid who reads thick novels while her classmates are working on their ABC's? A high school student who never studies, yet somehow makes 100's on every math test? A scientist/professor/computer programmer with two Ph.D's hanging on the wall? Out of all the personality styles , Greens most closely fit the stereotype of "smart people." Greens tend to have lots of strategic smarts, also known as analytical skills. They're good at solving problems and evaluating things logically. Greens pride themselves on their efficiency, knowledge, and innovation. These skills are often measured on IQ tests, giving Greens an advantage. But are Greens really smarter than the rest of us? Not necessarily. The truth is that there are many different ways to be smart. While "book smarts" are important, they don't show the whole picture. For example, Gold personalities tend to have strong org

#1: "You should be making all A's." Yes, some gifted children are capable of making straight A's—especially if they're gifted in math, science, or English. However, not all gifts are academic. Plus, gifted kids can also have learning and attention issues. These kids are called "twice-exceptional." #2: "You don't need help. Just figure it out on your own." Shaming gifted kids when they ask for help is not productive. It teaches them that asking for help is a sign of weakness. It also teaches them that if they need help, they must not be smart or capable. Both of these lessons can be harmful and are difficult to unlearn. Even as an adult, I have trouble asking for help because I was taught to be independent and pick myself up by my own boot straps.  #3: "You're overreacting." Gifted kids may respond to things in unexpected ways. That's because they often notice things that others don't. As a result, it