Perfectionism and Precocious Children	Virginia, 9, procrastinates. Homework, chores, and piano practice are all put off until the last possible moment. She says that she works better under pressure but she is secretly terrified of failure. Virginia figures that she has an excuse for a poor performance if she doesn’t have enough time. Her parents try to build her self-esteem by praising her achievements but Virginia gets the message that she is loved for her accomplishments and not for her self. (read more)
Gifted Kids, Like Rainforests, Must Be Allowed to Flourish	When we talk about gifted children, who are we talking about? What do we mean? Are we being elitist when we use that label? Isn’t everyone gifted? These are some of the typical questions that people ask when the topic of “gifted children” is broached. Parents living with these youngsters ask even more questions. (read more)
Parenting Strategies: Advice, Books Can Help Navigate Gifted Waters	- Gifted children are usually intense, extra-emotional and highly sensitive. Teach your child self-soothing methods such as humming, deep breathing, and journaling. Help her find healthy ways to express her emotions. Suggest that she visualize a beautiful container so she can place her intense feelings there when it’s not appropriate or safe to show them. Allow her to watch activities before participating or to leave early if she’s overwhelmed. Even though these children may talk and think like adults, they’re still youngsters who need clear limits and consistency. Resource: Kurcinka’s Raising Your Spirited Child. (read more)
Precocious Boys Need Help Dealing With Emotions	"I worry about my son. He's only seven years old but I already see him hiding his feelings. He used to be so emotional. He would cry easily, even when other children got hurt on the playground. Of course, then I worried that he was too emotional, that kids would tease him because he was so sensitive. I don't understand. He seems so bright. He was reading when he was four. His vocabulary is enormous. He's always full of questions about stuff I didn't know existed when I was his age. So how can he be so smart and so emotionally immature?" (read more)
Gifted Kids Need Understanding, Guidance	"My six-year-old son isn't normal. At home he's reading Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, and beating his older brother at chess but at school, they say he's hyperactive and can't do simple addition. At home he talks endlessly about the existence of black holes and shows enormous empathy for people in distress but at school he's withdrawn and says the kids tease him because he forgets to tie his shoes. It's been a year since his gerbil died and he still grieves and asks me about the meaning of life and death. What's wrong with him?" (read more)
Highly Sensitive Kids Need Sensitive Parents	Maria is highly sensitive. She immediately notices tension in a room along with subtle smells, sounds, and colors. Loving to read, Maria can get lost for hours in a story. In describing herself she says, "Books are my life." She is nine years old. When there's a conflict between a student and teacher in school, Maria's stomach gets upset. Not only is she concerned when her peers are unhappy but she also has a deep need for fairness. She feels too shy to confront her teacher but bombards her parents with questions when she arrives home. Maria worries about the future of the planet and wants her family to get rid of the car. (read more)