Friday Funnies

Kids sure do say the funniest things!

Just today, one of the little boys in my class was asking about "gigas". He was pondering it deeply. Later on in the day, he asked me if I had ever eaten a "gigabite"- then said probably not because it would explode me.

I laughed and laughed at his too cute connection!

What Does it Mean to be Gifted?

For the next few days (or until I run out of things to say), I am going to be addressing what it really means to be gifted. For the sake of clarification- we are talking about clinically gifted kiddoes.

We will get into some of the facts about gifted kids over the next few days, and I will show you charts and spout statistics and all that good stuff. . . But for today, I want you to see a simple observation chart.

There is a difference between kids who are bright and kids who are gifted. Bright kids are smart. And that is totally awesome. Gifted kids think differently. Their brains are biologically and neurologically different. I will hold back on the scientific mumbo jumbo, and ask you to look at the chart below. These are some of the differences between bright kiddoes and gifted kiddoes. . .


Do you see you child anywhere in here?

Bright Children Gifted Children

Knows the answers Asks the questions

Is interested Is highly curious

Is attentive Is mentally and physically involved

Has good ideas Has wild, silly ideas

Works hard Plays around, yet tests well

Answers the questions Discusses in detail, elaborates

Top group Beyond the group

Listens with interest Shows strong feelings and opinions

Learns with ease Already knows

6-8 repetitions for mastery 1-2 repetitions for mastery

Understands ideas Constructs abstractions

Enjoys peers Prefers adults

Grasps the meaning Draws inferences

Completes assignments Initiates projects

Is receptive Is intense

Copies accurately Creates a new design

Enjoys school Enjoys learning

Absorbs information Manipulates information

Technician Inventor

Good at memorization Good guesser

Enjoys straightforward Thrives on complexity
sequential presentation

Is alert Is keenly observant

Is pleased with learning Is highly self-critical

Shift Happens

I recently came across this very interesting video. It is definitely something to make you stop and think. I know watching it has made me want to come up with creative ways to use technology in my classroom. How can we find more ways to use it in the home as well?

Children of this generation just have to be exposed to as much productive technology as possible. . .

Tuesday's Training Tip: Praise the Positive

Thanks for Coming By! Tuesday is the day that I have dedicated to tips for training your children that you can put into practice RIGHT NOW!

My tip for today seems simple, but it doesn't always occur to us "in the heat of the moment". When your child is throwing a tantrum, or doing the very thing you have cautioned against for the millionth time, take a deep breath. And then praise the opposite behavior. You will be amazed at the results that you get, and the motivation that will drive your child to exhibit more pleasing behaviors.

For example, your child is whining. You have told them and told them to stop whining! First you have strongly admonished them. Next, you have punished. Finally, at your wits end, you have moved on to simply ignoring them. Why aren't they getting it?

Try this:
Next time your child is driving you crazy, find the one moment where they are not whining. Praise the heck out of them in whatever way you can find! "Oh Suzie Shmoozy, I love the way you kept a frown off your face! You were so kind when you remained silent instead of whining. I love the way you spoke with a kind tone of voice to me. It made my heart so glad when you tried to tell me what you wanted in your big girl voice." And so on, and so on. In your praise, build in examples of appropriate tone as well as stated expectations.

Why it Works:
Children want to please you. They want to meet your expectations. They just don't always know how. Remember, your child has only been on this planet "x" amount of times, and only have "x" amount of experiences to draw on. If they have limited experiences, or conflicting outcomes with those experiences, they will be less likely to know how to respond. By showing them positive outcomes for positive behaviors, you are building a framework for your child.

Choose one area to try this in. Don't go crazy- just pick one. . . Commit to really trying it, and let me know how it goes!

Welcome!

I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome you to a blog for parents of gifted children. Gifted children are a passion of mine, having been a gifted educator for some time. This is a safe place for parents of gifted to learn, to talk, and to grow. Please come by often to visit and share your thoughts.

Games for Gifted Kids

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Books Gifted Kids Love