New to Gifted Learning? Start Here!

So, you just discovered your kid is gifted, and it’s understandable if you’re freaking out a little. You’re not quite sure how to provide the education she needs, and keeping up with him is already wearing you out. Here’s a QuickStart guide to help you on this journey.

1. Read a book on Giftedness

Living With Intensity edited by Susan Daniels, Ph.D. and Michael M. Piechowski, Ph.D. - A classic book for gifted adults or parents to better understand a holistic view of giftedness as suggested by Dabrowski. This book doesn't spoon-feed content, so be prepared to use your brain as you seek to truely understand the theories presented.

Parenting Gifted Kids by James R Delisle, Ph.D. - An amazing book written to parents of kids either in the school system or homeschooled. Dr. Delisle ensures the parent understands that giftedness is so much more than an IQ score. He'll talk you through social challenges, emotional issues, traps you might fall into as a parent, and how to best advocate for your kid's education.

2. Read a blog

Checkout the website Intergifted and the great blog by the profoundly gifted psychologist and coach Jennifer Harvey Sallin: https://intergifted.com/what-is-giftedness/

Davidson Gifted is one of the leaders for gifted education in the United States, and they have a ton of wonderful resources on their website. https://www.davidsongifted.org/resource-library/gifted-resources-guides/ 

3. Follow my YouTube Channel

I will periodically be posting gifted-specific content on my YouTube channel K.S. Lewis Learning. Subscribe to be sure you catch all the content!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pgVDQ8qq2g

4. Give yourself grace

   Someone said that trying to keep up with a gifted kid is like trying to hang on to the tail of a cheetah running at full speed. It's just exhausting! One day you feel like you finally got the hang of things and have enough resources to keep your curious little mind satisfied, then you blink and you have to give them more! More books. More curriculum. More hobbies. More time. More conversations. MORE ENERGY!!! Even if you're gifted yourself, you can't keep up because you are splitting your energy between your own interests, life responsibilities, and your kid(s). Just learn to take some time everyday to step back, take a big breath, and see the big picture: your kid is most likely already way ahead of where he needs to be academically, so you have freedom to make mistakes, be unconventional, and learn something completely out of the box!

   
   

   This website is all about making life easier for parents of gifted kids. I've done the homework on resources so you can keep up with their curious minds without getting overwhelmed.