Gifted Education Parent Resources
Families often have questions about giftedness that extend beyond academics. Gifted learners may experience school, relationships, emotions, motivation, and challenges differently from their peers.
The resources below can help families learn more about gifted education and better understand and support their children.
Gifted Education Organizations
These organizations provide research, information, advocacy, professional resources, and support for families of gifted learners.
- Douglas County Association for Gifted and Talented (DCAGT)
- Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT)
- National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
- Colorado Department of Education: Gifted Education
- Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)
- Davidson Institute
- Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education, and Talent Development
Understanding Giftedness
Giftedness can look different from child to child. Advanced academic ability is only one part of the picture, and gifted students may demonstrate different strengths, needs, learning patterns, and social-emotional characteristics.
Helpful resources include:
- National Association for Gifted Children
- Hoagies' Gifted Education Page
- Byrdseed
- Gifted Guru
- Raising Lifelong Learners
Suggested Reading
- The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids: For Ages 10 & Under by Judy Galbraith
- The Gifted Teen Survival Guide by Judy Galbraith and Jim Delisle
- Living Gifted: 52 Tips to Survive and Thrive in Giftedland by Lisa Van Gemert
Twice-Exceptional Learners
Twice-exceptional, or 2e, learners are students who demonstrate gifted abilities while also having a disability or another learning difference. Their strengths can sometimes mask areas of difficulty, while their challenges can also make advanced abilities less visible.
Resources for families include:
- Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
- Davidson Institute
- Seth Perler: Executive Function Resources
Executive Functioning
Executive functioning skills help students plan, organize, manage time, regulate attention, begin tasks, and persist through challenges.
Some gifted students may demonstrate advanced abilities in one area while still needing significant support with executive functioning.
Anxiety & Emotional Well-Being
Gifted students can experience many of the same emotional challenges as their peers. Some may also experience heightened sensitivity, worry, perfectionism, or stress related to expectations and achievement.
Families looking for support may find these books helpful:
- Freeing Your Child from Anxiety by Tamar Chansky
- What to Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner
- Anxiety-Free Kids by Bonnie Zucker
- Mindfulness for Teen Anxiety by Christopher Willard
Additional resources:
If anxiety or emotional distress is significantly affecting a child's daily life, families are encouraged to seek support from an appropriate school or community mental health professional.
Perfectionism
For some gifted learners, high expectations can become perfectionism. Students may avoid challenges, become highly self-critical, fear mistakes, or struggle when their performance does not match their expectations.
Helpful resources include:
- Hoagies' Gifted Education: Perfectionism Resources
- What to Do When Good Enough Isn't Good Enough by Thomas S. Greenspon
- Moving Past Perfect by Thomas S. Greenspon
- Davidson Institute
Intensity & Sensitivity
Some gifted children experience emotions, interests, sensory experiences, or intellectual curiosity with notable intensity.
Families interested in learning more may explore:
- Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)
- Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students by Christine Fonseca
- Living with Intensity by Susan Daniels and Michael Piechowski
- Byrdseed
Peer Relationships & Social Development
Gifted students may sometimes experience differences in interests, communication styles, or social development that affect friendships and peer relationships.
Resources include:
- Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG)
- Davidson Institute
- National Association for Gifted Children
Motivation & Underachievement
Strong ability does not always translate into strong academic performance. Underachievement can have many causes, including lack of challenge, executive functioning difficulties, emotional concerns, learning differences, motivation, or a mismatch between a student's needs and learning environment.
Families who have concerns about their child's academic engagement or progress are encouraged to begin by talking with their child's teacher and the school's Gifted Education Facilitator.