Top 5 Ways to Nurture Gifted Children

I came across this handout I give to parents. It has been adapted from Carol Bainbridge who offers advice to parents of gifted children.

1.  Follow Your Child's Lead

What does your child enjoy?  What does your child seem to be good at?  Provide opportunities for your child to work with things he or she enjoys or is good at.  For example, if your child loves dinosaurs, get books about dinosaurs, fiction and non-fiction.  Get games and puzzles about dinosaurs.  Go see dinosaurs at museums.  If your child is good at music or a sport, provide opportunities for him or her to learn an instrument or play a sport.

2.  Expand Your Child's Interests

While it's important to provide opportunities for your child to work with his or her interests and strengths, it is also important to expose your child to new things.  Children only know what they have been exposed to, so if they've never been exposed to music, they may not know whether they like it or are good at it.  Children need not be forced to try new things, but they should be encouraged.  It is not forcing a child, however, to insist that they not quit something after two days. 

3.  Be Creative and Ask Questions

This may seem as though it's easier said than done, but once you start thinking "outside the box" it gets easier.  Gifted children love to think and solve problems, so provide them with ample opportunities for doing so.  Write daily notes in their lunch box!  Cook together and ask questions about why vegetables get soft when cooked; or why cakes rise when baked.  Go for a walk and ask about why the sky is blue, what are the different types of clouds.  In the swimming pool, ask why they don't float but will sink to the bottom of the pool.  Asking questions will help them to think creatively and soon they will be asking the questions, if they are not already doing so!

4.  Look for Outside Activities and Networks

Many communities offer classes for children as do museums, zoos, community centres, and many universities and community colleges.  Some communities also have botanical gardens, planetariums, and other places of interest.  In addition, there are parent groups for gifted children, homeschooling opportunities, and a vast amount of online resources for gifted children and their parents. Make connections to make your lives easier!

5.  Keep a Variety of Resources at Home

These resources need not be expensive or elaborate.  They just need to allow your gifted child to develop his or her interests or get exposed to new ones.  For example, to encourage artistic talent, all you need initially are simple paint brushes, paint, white paper, crayons, and other supplies.    You can have a recycling box where your child can build and create sculptures from recycled materials.  An area, such as the dinning room table, is a great place for your child to spread out and work at!