The Important Role of Parent Support Groups Jo Freitag

The Important Role of Parent Support Groups

Jo Freitag

A presentation and discussion on the social and emotional support needs of academically gifted children. Emphasis will be placed on the experiences and challenges of parenting gifted and the role of social support groups

NEEDS

GAGNE Model of Factors which Influence the Development of Innate Giftedness into Fully Realised Talent emphasises the importance of environmental factors

Temperament/Personality

(Adaptability, attitudes, competitiveness,

independence, self-esteem, values etc.)

GiftednessAptitude domains

INTELLECTUALReasoning (eg. visual, spatial) memory, judgment etcCREATIVEOriginality, inventiveness, Humour, etc.SOCIOAFFECTIVELeadership, empathy, self-awareness, etcSENSORIMOTORStrength, fine motor control,Endurance, flexibility, etc.OTHERSExtrasensory perception, gift of healing etc

MotivationINITIATIVE

NEEDS, INTERESTSPERSERVERANCE

DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS

Learning – Training – Practising

SURROUNDINGSHome, school, community, etc

PERSONSParents, teachers, mentors, etc.

UNDERTAKINGSActivities, courses, programs etc.

EVENTSEncounters, awards, accidents, etc.

TalentsFields relevant

to school-age youthACADEMICS

Language, science etcGAMES OF STRATEGY

Chess, puzzles, video, etc.TECHNOLOGY

Mechanics, computers, etcARTS

Visual, drama, music, etc.SOCIAL ACTION

Tutoring, school, politics, etcBUSINESS

Sales, entrepreneurship, etcATHLETICS & SPORTS

INTRAPERSONAL

ENVIRONMENTAL

CATALYSTS (POSITIVE/NEGATIVE IMPACTS)

NEEDSNORMALCYSome things which are the exception in the general population are par for the course for the gifted : what Lesley Sword calls “Normal for gifted”

IQ Bell Curve

Columbus Group Definition

Dabrowski Overexcitabilities

Introversion

Visual Spatial Learners

Perfectionism

Creativity and ‘different thinking’

NEEDS

EXAMPLES

EXCELLENCE

EXTENSION

NEEDS

EXTRA INFORMATION AND MYTH BUSTING

This is where Gifted Resources can be useful

NEEDS

DIALOGUE AND TEAMWORK

CHILD

Psychologist Parent Teacher

NEEDS

SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

SUPPORT

This is where a Support Group can be useful

Parent Support Groups are needed...

• For social contact for parents

• for mutual encouragement and ‘been there-done that!’

• for opportunity for parents to learn about how they can support their children

• for an opportunity for children to spend time with like-minded peers

Learning about giftedness from guest speakers

Spending time together...

Star-B-Ques

Going on excursions

Craft days

Games days - chess, strategy games etc

Learning about topics of interestand sharing expertise, interests and passions

Fun with workshops with authors and illustrators

Community education about giftedness with display in the library

BACK

Asynchronous Development• Giftedness is asynchronous development in

which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counselling in order for them to develop optimally.

• (The Columbus Group, 1991).

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Dabrowski’sOverexcitabilities

• The five areas are: • Psychomotor• Sensual • Imaginational • Intellectual • Emotional • (From Dabrowski's Over-excitabilities

A Layman's Explanation• by Stephanie Tolan http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/dabrowskis.htm )

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Perfectionism

Many gifted people are perfectionists.Sometimes gifted children will refuse to do something unless they are sure the result will be perfect. The result they are aiming for is adult excellence and they put a great deal of stress on themselves by trying to produce it. Often the stress comes also from competition with others and from expectations (real or perceived) which are put on them

It is good to encourage to aim for excellence but not be paralysed by perfectionism.

BACK

EXAMPLE : CHRISTIAN’S TEDDY DRAGONS

http://www.giftedresources.org/jo/teddydragons.htm

Creativity, freedom of expression, outside the box thinking

Tedling hatching Tedlings learn statistics by osmosis

TD language and maths systems

BACK

Gifted Resources is like...

A bookshop

A reference library

A news service

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Gifted Resources is like...

A service locater

An Internet facilitator

A help/advice line

BACK TO E

Gifted Resources is like...

A networking facilitator

An Information booth

A source of encouragement and social contact

An educator on giftedness

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GIFTED RESOURCES Contact Details:OfficeThe Centre for the Exceptional LearnerLuther CollegePlymouth RdCroydonVictoria 3136AustraliaPhone:(03)9724 2452Mobile 0417 481 919

Postal address:PO Box 4176Croydon HillsVictoria 3136AustraliaPhone:(03)9876 1349

E-mail:  jo@giftedresources.org  E-mail newsletter: contributions@giftedresources.org

Website:  www.giftedresources.org

•I would like to receive the Gifted Resources E-mail Newsletter [ ] •I would like to order an Information Kit folder ($30) [ ]•I would like information about Lectures, Workshops and Film/Discussions presented by Gifted Resources [ ]•I would like information about the books and other resources available for sale from Gifted Resources [ ]•I would like to join the Gifted Resources Library ($20 per annum) [ ]•I would like to arrange for Jo Freitag to speak, facilitate a film discussion or give a presentation to my group [ ]

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