Gifted & Talented
Conroe Independent School District
A Note from Conroe ISD's Gifted Coordinator
The importance of social and emotional education for the gifted has been a topic of research for decades. An emphasis on this critical component of gifted education within the Texas State Plan is long-coming and will serve our gifted students well. Several researchers have supported this thinking by stating that social and emotional competence is more important when it comes to success in life than is having high cognitive abilities (Csikszentmihalyi, Rathunde, & Whalen, 1993; Gardner, 2011; Goleman, 1995). It is often assumed that gifted students with their advanced academic abilities can deal with emotional challenges, but research has proven this isn’t always the case (Peterson, 2009). This newsletter is dedicated to a few of the social and emotional issues most commonly observed in gifted students of all ages.
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is something that many students struggle with in their everyday lives, but with gifted and talented students it is more prevalent than ever in school. Our GT students have an innate desire to always be the best in every aspect of their lives, which can cause stress and anxiety if they feel as though they aren’t living up to the expectations they have set on themselves. There are ways to assist the students with their struggles and encourage them to have a healthy view of perfectionism instead of always struggling with not meeting expectations they have set for themselves. Parents and guardians can praise their students' progress towards the end goal rather than focusing on the final goal. In addition, it’s important for parents to not withhold affection or praise if goals are not met and to model a healthy approach towards reaching excellence. It is important that parents do not try to change students in striving for greatness, but rather guide them in seeing that there are ways to be successful and not necessarily be perfect.
Articles about Perfectionism
Helpful Tips for Parents of Perfectionistic Gifted Learners
Click HERE
Gifted Students and Perfectionism
“Gifted students already have enough stressors in their lives, and when perfectionism is added, they may become extremely overwhelmed.” "Perfectionism does not have to be a negative trait. With the support of educators, family, and peers, students will be able to use their perfectionism to positively drive and push them towards success" (Burdick, 9).
How to Handle Your Child's Perfectionism
GT tips and strategies to help your little perfectionist deal with anxious thoughts and frustrations.
Anxiety
Your gifted child possesses many characteristics that makes them unique and makes your child prone to learning and high achievement. However, some of those same characteristics can lead to anxiety if not managed. A few of these characteristics include perfectionism, excitability, interest in adult/global issues, and making complex connections. If your child is exhibiting any signs of anxiety, teaching strategies on how to overcome anxiety and managing stress will help your child cope with and overcome anxiety.
Articles about Anxiety
Do Gifted Children Struggle with Anxiety
Are gifted kids really more anxious than others? Are they more likely to be perfectionists, overthinkers, and emotionally reactive?
Click HERE
Top 3 Strategies for Helping Your Child Cope with Anxiety During Challenging Times
Click HERE
Why Gifted Children are Anxious, Plus 4 Ways to Help Them Cope
Gifted children often struggle with anxiety. Here's a look at why, plus 4 ways to help your child cope.
Underachievement
Articles about Underachievement
Parenting Strategies to Motivate Underachieving Gifted Students
Gifted children need to understand that they control their own destinies: They succeed because they have the skills and put forth effort, and that failures may be attributed to lack of effort.
Click HERE
Preventing and Overcoming Underachievement of Gifted Primary School Students
"This article defines and discusses the definition of underachievement, explains the concept of learning, and addresses ways that executive functions and skills influence the learning process" (van Gerven, 2017).
Click HERE
The Underachievement of Gifted and High Potential Students
When students of seemingly exceptionally high ability perform at levels that are well below their potential, their teachers and parents are faced with bewildering and frustrating challenges.
Click HERE
High Expectations
What is the right level of expectation for the gifted learner? Since it is unhealthy for them to be perfect, what then is a good measure of expectation for their productivity? On the other hand, what do we do for the gifted child who sets their expectations too high for themselves?
Articles about High Expectations
Unwrapping the Gifted
Click HERE
Appropriate Expectations for the Gifted Child
This article by Arlene R. DeVries, M.S.E. talks about how parents can expand their children's education in creative, unconfined ways.
Click HERE
Gifted 101: 5 Myths About Giftedness
Myths about giftedness are powerful forces that can alter perceptions about gifted students.
Reading Corner
Gifted Families Plugging-In
Chris Reichelt
Email: creichelt@conroeisd.net
Website: Conroeisd.net
Location: 3205 West Davis Street, Conroe, TX, USA
Phone: 936-709-7817