Parenting Gifted Children
Pre School Children
The Key at this stage is parent(s) playing with their children allowing children
to guide the exploration.
Gifted Traits
Early and Extensive Language
Development
Fascination with Books
Curious
Enjoyment and Speed of Learning
Unusual Alertness in Infancy
High Activity Some Need Less Sleep in
Infancy
Vivid Imagination
Cultivating Giftedness
Talk to your child often in proper
English. Have them repeat words and
phrases.
Read to your child as much as possible.
Parents of gifted children read three
times as much to their children as
general population parents.
Incorporate math and reading with
books such as The Hungry Caterpillar,
1,2,3, to the Zoo, 10 Rubber Ducks,
Roosters Off to See the World, and The
Secret Birthday Message are a few.
Promote Exploration and Discovery
Activities
Provide a wide range of learning
opportunities such as plants life, animal
care, simple carpentry and mechanics,
stargazing. The list is endless. Dont
forget to have fun.
Speak to your child and hold them to
enhance a special bonding for both of
you. Use mobiles and colorful objects.
Show them as much of their new world
as you are able.
Continue to be a student of your child
and observe areas of interest to keep
him/her be preoccupied. Continually
think of new areas to explore. It does
not have to be expensive just different.
Creativity is key in higher thinking skills.
Do not squelch imagination. Direct
imagination into areas of creativity.
Even everyday things like boxes, pans,
and keys can be used in a variety of
 ways.

Advanced Progression Through Provide safe learning activities beyond

Developmental Milestones the childs chronological age. Try to be
one step ahead of your child.

These gifted traits will carry into later life. As the child matures other signs
of giftedness may develop, below are a few more traits found in older children

Elementary School Aged Students

At this stage parents could encourage more independent play, but can still
interact with their children by asking questions, providing feedback, or
playing games with them.

Gifted Traits Cultivating Giftedness

Learns quickly Shows an Excellent
Memory
Uses advance Vocabulary
Engages in word play, mimicry, and
storytelling
Enjoys solving puzzles with numbers,
words, and images
Responds to and demonstrates strengths
in the arts
Manifests Deep, Intense Feelings and
Emotional Reactions
Recent studies confirm that children
who actively play with blocks do better
when they attempt higher mathematics
such as algebra, calculus and geometry.
Continue to encourage reading. Have
your child become familiar with the
library. Reading should be a central
activity for their children. Become
knowledgeable about the learning-to-
read process.
Family night playing scrabble, or telling
stories
Puzzles develop spatial visualization,
perseverance, and in many cases
creativity. Puzzle play has been found to
lay the groundwork for future STEM
abilities.
Encourage listening to a wide range of
music. Provide simple art supplies.
Music lessons. Sing with your children
even while doing routine chores to make
them more enjoyable. Encourage
exploration in diverse cultures.
Validate the students experience. It is
crucial for parent to be empathetic,
patient listeners to their children,
particularly when they express
frustration over school. Instill ways to
help your child understand and regulate

Is Concerned with Truth, Equity, and
Justice
Insists on doing things his/her own way,
yet can be loyal and modest
emotional reactions.
We can learn from these children in this
area. Be attentive to your childs
comments and observations. Assist the
student in solving the problem with a
reasonable and workable solution. Tap
into their creativity thinking skills.
These students have a strong learning
style and do not like to deviate from it.
Again allow the student to come up with
creative alternatives with your
assistance. If the problem is larger than
the student can handle, you will have to
advocate for him/her at school. Model
positive ways to address setbacks and
solve problem.

Even though gifted character traits are listed in age groupings, it is probable
that your child may exhibit higher-level character traits than listed at his/her level
on this resource. Simply stated gifted elementary school aged children may display
advanced character traits, which are listed here for junior and senior high students.

Junior/Senior High Students

At this point of the students education, it is crucial that parents realize the
importance of the student seeing work as a process, which may include
making mistakes. If students see themselves as smart as a means of success, many
become underachievers. However, if they see the process as a means of success they
are less likely to become underachievers. Emphasize effort rather than being
smart in whatever your student is involved in whether in school or out of
school activities.

Gifted Traits Cultivating Giftedness

Is Highly Inquisitive and asks Probing Cultivate an attitude that no question is a
Questions silly question. Encourage additional
research by the student or as a joint
effort.
Displays a Keen Sense of Humor, at This kind of humor displays the
Times Better Understood by Adults students creative nature. Jokes such a
puns are evidence of thinking out of box
thought process. Direct into appropriate
avenues for this expression to be
displayed.
Daydreams Lives in His/Her own world Daydreaming is not all bad, but if
students continue this habit to get out of
 work it becomes a problem. They could
be bored. Redirect the daydreaming by
emphasizing to your student that the
process and effort is more valuable than
perfection. Show how mistakes can be
opportunities to discover and learn.
Help them to see how their unusual,
critical thinking can assist them in their
achievements by utilizing their strengths
to build up their weakness. Be aware
creative thinkers will try to manipulate
circumstances to get out of academic or
home responsibilities that are not
exciting. Life is full of uneventful
responsibilities; they need to understand
that these are necessary also. Praise for
the effort in these areas are beneficial
also. Career planning may be helpful to
give the high achieving student focus and
directionality.

This guide is only a brief summary of gifted character traits and parental
involvement suggestions to enhance giftedness in children and students.
Information was utilized from articles from Parent for High Potential from the
National Association for Gifted Children. The articles included are: What is a
Precocious Preschooler?, Helping Your Gifted Child Succeed!, Creative
Underachievers: Children Who Are Too Out of the Box. The NAGC is the gifted
parents corner for information and support for gifted and potentially gifted children.
I would highly recommend all parents who are also childrens home teachers,
become members of NAGC to enhance and embrace learning for the next generation.