Parenting Gifted Kids: Nurturing Talented Children

Raising a gifted kid is probably the jackpot for every Indian parent. The kid is a genius, finishes school and college early and goes on to make so much money that you can retire and enjoy the rest of your life.

But raising your own Sheldon Cooper would require a lot of work. A lot of understanding their own unique brain and nurturing them to become a successful person. So we’re here to help you raise and bring about the awareness of the challenges of raising gifted kids.

The first thing that every parent must do is to recognise and identify what exactly their kid is gifted at. You might have gotten some hint when they threw a ball really fast or multiplied two numbers with ease, so try to test it out and see if they are truly born with the talent.

Early identification is crucial, as it allows parents to provide the necessary support to nurture the talent.

Key signs of giftedness:

• Early development of language and reading skills.

• Unusual creativity or the ability to think abstractly.

• Strong leadership qualities and a desire for independence.

You can even meet with a psychologist and confirm if the kid is truly one in a million!

Sure, ICSE education is great, and it’s probably a good option early on in their schooling, but traditional school systems may not always cater to the needs of gifted students. You can try out these two options:

• Specialised schools and programs: There are many schools in India that offer accelerated learning, advanced courses, and a harder curriculum.

• Homeschooling: For parents who want to take a more hands-on approach, homeschooling can give the flexibility to adapt learning to the child’s pace and interests.

Advocating for Your Gifted Child

In any normal school, parents will have to advocate a lot for their kids to ensure their needs are met, especially intellectually. It might even be a bit harder for them to make close friends, too, as many gifted kids lack the social skills needed to do so.

Gifted kids might learn stuff fast, but that doesn’t mean they’re genius in every category. These kids can still be sensitive and emotional like every kid, especially with everyone around them saying they’re born with a gift and destined to do great things. So, here are some things you can do as a parent:

• Providing emotional support: Create home a safe space for your child to express their feelings and struggles.

• Managing perfectionism: Teach them that mistakes are a part of the learning process.

• Encouraging balance: Help your child find a healthy balance between their intellectual pursuits and relaxation

Building Relationships and Social Skills

Like we said, gifted children may struggle to connect with their kids their age, which can make them feel lonely and even wonder why they were born with this “gift”. Encouraging them to socialise is crucial.

• Encouraging peer interactions: Seek out groups or programs where they can meet similar kids.

• Teaching empathy: Help them understand and respect the perspectives of others.

• Role-playing social scenarios: Practice common social interactions to build confidence.

Gifted children usually have crazy interests and skills, whether it is in music, art, or science. However, extracurricular activities can give them the outlet for these passions and a platform to develop leadership skills.

• Choosing activities: Select programs that align with your child’s interests and challenge their abilities.

• Leadership opportunities: Encourage your child to take on leadership roles in school clubs and afternoon activities.

• Balancing commitments: Make sure your child has time to chill and do whatever they want to!

Behavioral and Motivational Strategies

Gifted children are also likely to get impatient, frustrated, or bored, especially when they’re not stimulated enough or get something wrong. Parents need strategies to manage these behaviours effectively:

• Setting boundaries: Establish clear rules and expectations.

• Keeping them engaged: Provide stimulating and diverse learning opportunities.

• Motivating them: Encourage intrinsic motivation by allowing them to explore their passions.

Nurturing Talent Without Overburdening

Yes, it is important to nurture your child’s talents, but it’s equally important not to overburden and push them with high expectations. Burnout is quite common among gifted kids because of how hard they’re pushed.

• Focus on their interests: Let your child lead the way in pursuing their passions, just remember to feed it.

• Avoid comparisons: Celebrate your child’s achievements without comparing them to others.

• Encourage exploration: Allow them to try new activities and learn from failures.

For parents considering homeschooling, try to create a structured and flexible environment so the kid can make the best of it.

• Personalised curriculum: Design lessons that align with their strengths and interests.

• Interactive learning: Use hands-on activities, experiments, and field trips to make learning engaging.

• Utilising resources: Take advantage of online courses, gifted education books, and local homeschooling groups.

Managing Family Dynamics

If you watched ‘Young Sheldon’, you’d know that Missy and Georgie felt left out as the parents always focused on their gifted kid. This can impact the family dynamics, especially when the siblings are involved. Every family member, especially the kids, should all feel equally loved.

Ensure that siblings of the gifted children also receive adequate attention and support, and you can even try to get them to do activities or play something together!

Time Management Skills

Gifted children often juggle multiple interests and commitments. Teaching them effective time management skills is essential for their success.

• Prioritisation: Help your child identify their most important tasks and allocate time accordingly.

• Creating routines: Establish consistent schedules for schoolwork, extracurriculars, and leisure.

• Using tools: Introduce planners or digital tools to track their activities and deadlines.

Building a Support Network

One day, you might get a call from school that your kid was disrespectful to a teacher and another day, you’d get a call saying they should be bumped to a higher class. Whatever it is, raising this kid will take a lot of time and effort. Building a strong support network can provide both you and your child with valuable resources and connections.

• Parent groups: Join organisations for parents in the school or of gifted children to bond with other parents and get help too.

• Online forums: Get your kid to participate in the community so they’re with many adults around.

Resources for Parents of Gifted Children

There are many resources available to help parents navigate the challenges of raising a gifted child:

• Books on gifted education and parenting, such as ‘Gifted Children’ by Ellen Winner.

• Online courses or workshops on giftedness.

• Support groups and counselling services.

It’s great that you want to bring out the innate talent your child has, but the key is not to push them and force it on them. You wouldn’t want a sequel of ‘Goodwill Hunting’ in your family.

Remember, every child is unique, and the ultimate goal is to nurture not only their intellect but also their happiness and well-being with the right guidance, your gifted child can reach their full potential while enjoying a fulfilling and balanced childhood.