I am a big fan of the podcast renaissance that’s been happening the past few years. While I’m driving, walking or cooking, I can learn about new topics, catch up on the news of the week or listen as a team investigates a mysterious crime. We at IEA have already covered some of the best podcasts for gifted learners, so today I wanted to turn the focus toward podcasts about gifted learners. These are great resources for parents and educators supporting bright young minds.

Family Confidential: Guiding Gifted Kids
James T. Webb, Ph.D. is a guest on this episode of this parenting video podcast hosted by Annie Fox, M.Ed. This episode focuses on the special needs of gifted kids and how their parents can help them understand and use their gifts well.

Gifted Education Podcast

Prufrock Press produces a podcast for parents and educators of gifted children on topics such as learning options, differentiating instruction, and ability grouping.

Mind Matters Podcast

The Mind Matters Podcast features discussions with leaders in the fields of psychology, education, and beyond, with an emphasis on gifted/talented and 2e (twice-exceptional) children and adults. Mind Matters explores parenting, counseling techniques, and best practices for enriching the lives of high-ability people.

The Testing Psychologist Podcast Episode #19: Dr. Aimee Yermish

As a grown up gifted kid herself, Dr. Aimee Yermish definitely “gets it.” She coupled her lifetime of personal experience with a doctorate in psychology to build a highly successful practice working primarily with gifted and twice exceptional individuals. Drawing on her analytical background as a scientist and practical background as a teacher, she focuses on building self-understanding, self-regulation, and range of choice in life.

Giftedness Knows No Boundaries

Presented by the National Association for Gifted Children, this podcast shares brief glimpses into what is happening in the worlds of research, policy and best practices, with the goal of helping those who support gifted children.

The Talky Bit

Heather and Jon of The Fringy Bit chat about all things “fringy.” Whether you or your child is gifted, on the autism spectrum, has sensory processing disorder, or other higher needs, the pair is there to provide comradery.

Raising Life Long Learners Podcast

The popular blog in podcast form! Listen to find suggestions for encouraging your kids to be lifelong learners and helping your child see the world with fascination.

Schooled: Is Giftedness Real?

In this episode of Slate’s Schooled podcast, Sandy Darity, a researcher on giftedness at Duke, and Jeff Danielian, a Rhode Island teacher and giftedness advocate, discuss what giftedness means and how to best equitably identify bright young minds.

If you have a resource you’d like to share, please include it in the comments down below for other readers to consider! For additional resources appropriate for the gifted learner from preschool through high school, visit IEA’s online Gifted Resource Center.

March is Women’s History Month and, to celebrate, let’s look at wise words from ten women who have made great gains in STEM fields throughout history.

Maryam Mirzakhani, Groundbreaking Mathematician

“I like crossing the imaginary boundaries people set up between different fields—it’s very refreshing. There are lots of tools, and you don’t know which one would work. It’s about being optimistic and trying to connect things.” [1]

Mirzakhani was an Iranian mathematician who, in 2014, became the first woman and first Iranian to win the prestigious Fields Medal, often considered the Nobel Prize of mathematics. She was a professor at Stanford University until her death from breast cancer in 2017.

Sally Ride, Physicist and NASA Pioneer

“I would like to be remembered as someone who was not afraid to do what she wanted to do, and as someone who took risks along the way in order to achieve her goals.” [2]

Ride was a capsule communicator for NASA before becoming the first American woman and youngest person to date in space. After her historic flight, Ride worked at NASA headquarters, as a professor, directed the California Space Institute and co-founded the nonprofit Sally Ride Science, which creates science programs for upper elementary and middle school students.

Marie Curie, Radioactivity Researcher and Nobel Prize Record-Setter

“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.” [3]

The first person and only woman to win two Nobel Prizes, Curie is also the only person to date to earn the award in two different sciences. One of her many achievements was the development of the theory of radioactivity.

Mae Jemison, Astronaut, Doctor and Much More

“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” [4]

After earning her chemical engineering degree from Stanford University and her medical degree from Cornell Medical College, Jemison joined the Peace Corps and served as a doctor in Sierra Leone. Upon her return, she applied to the space program, eventually becoming the first African-American woman in space. She now works in the private sector, holds nine honorary degrees and remains a dedicated dancer.

Antonia Novello, Former Surgeon General

“I believe that fortitude is key. More than anything, be consistent. Go at it. Go at it. Go at it. When you succeed, don’t forget the responsibility of making someone else succeed with you.”

Novello was the first woman and first person of Hispanic decent to serve as Surgeon General of the United States. She studied at the University of Puerto Rico and held residencies at the University of Michigan and Georgetown University School of Medicine, focusing on pediatrics. During her tenure as Surgeon General, Novello focused on the health of women, children and minorities, as well as those with AIDS.

Dr. Francis Allen, Computer Scientist and Programming Wiz

“You need to hire and develop great people. You need to set the vision and trust them to do the right thing. You need to let go of control. That’s wonderful for all involved because you’re empowering and trusting your people to do what’s right for the brand.” [5]

Allen worked at IBM for 45 years, work that included code optimization, parallelization and pioneering work in optimizing compliers. She was the first woman to receive the notable A.M. Turing Award, the Nobel Prize equivalent for computer science, for her work.

Chien-Shiung Wu, First Lady of Physics

“There is only one thing worse than coming home from the lab to a sink full of dirty dishes, and that is not going to the lab at all!” [6]

Often called the First Lady of Physics, Wu left her native China in 1936 to study at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her Ph.D. She is most notable for conducting the Wu experiment, which contradicted the hypothetical law of conservation of parity. Although she was not recognized for the Noble Prize along with her colleagues, she later when on to earn the inaugural Wolf Prize in Physics.

Helen Octavia Dickens, Surgeon and Public Health Advocate

“Somewhere along the way I decided that if I was going to be a nurse, I might as well become a doctor.” [7]

Dickens was a record-breaker several times in her long life. She was the first black woman named as a fellow by the American College of Surgeons and elected to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, along with being the first female African American board-certified Ob/gyn in Philadelphia. She worked tirelessly for the poor and underprivileged and was an early advocate of using Pap smears to detect cervical cancer.

Sheryl Sandberg, Technology Executive

“We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.” [8]

Sandberg, an economist and business woman, served as Chief of Staff for United States Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers before moving on to work at tech giant Google. She then went on to be the first woman on the board of Facebook and is known for her writing and activism for women in technology and business.

Rachel Carson, Environmental Scientist and Author

“We have been troubled about the world, and had almost lost faith in man; it helps to think about the long history of the earth, and of how life came to be. And when we think in terms of millions of years, we are not so impatient that our own problems be solved tomorrow.” [9]

Carson, the subject of IEA’s most recent Genius Day, was an environmental scientist and author whose book, Silent Spring, brought attention to the dangers of pesticides in the natural environment. Her work was instrumental in inspiring a movement that led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Carson was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her environmental activism.

What quotes from women in STEM do you love?

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Sources

[1] Quanta Magazine, “A Tenacious Explorer of Abstract Surfaces”, 2014

[2] Academy of Achievement, 2006

[3] Madame Curie: A Biography, 1937

[4] Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students, 2009

[5] Fox Business, 2014

[6] Cosmic Radiations: From Astronomy to Particle Physics, 2001

[7] Franklin’s Daughters: Profiles of Penn Women, 2001

[8] Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, 2013

[9] Speech accepting the John Burroughs Medal, 1952

Overthinking. The irony in writing about this topic is that I kept overthinking it. What direction should I take? What tips should I offer? Where can I find the best research? What if my post doesn’t hold up against the others?

Overthinking, along with its siblings perfectionism and anxiety, is common in gifted kids. Psychology Today attributes this in part to overexcitabilities and the mind not being able to ever really turn off. Gifted kids also tend to have lots of channels in their brains, meaning more information to mull over and think about, easily leading to overthinking.

As a chronic overthinker, I wanted to explore the reasons behind overthinking, how it can hurt and what we can do to rein it in.

Why do we overthink?

Why does this happen in the first place? Why do our brains run wild? In an article published in Scientific American Mind entitled “Why We Worry,” science writer Victoria Stern did a deep dive into the causes behind chronic overthinking. In summary: it’s all about control.

“Chronic worriers operate under the misperception that their overthinking and attempts at controlling every situation allow them to problem-solve and plan for the future,” said Stern. “Instead their thought pattern hinders cognitive processing and also causes overstimulation of emotion- and fear-processing areas in the brain.”

Overthinking and worrying trick our brains into believing that we are preparing for any situation, that we can handle any outcome, positive or negative. In reality, while this may work in the short-term, it ultimately harms us.

Dr. Michael Stein, a psychologist based in Denver, attributes worry and overthinking to a fear of being uncertain about the future. When we experience this fear our brain jumps into “analysis mode” and starts beginning to prepare and think over every outcome. This thinking ignites our minds and creates a temporary comfort to deal with uncertainty.

The Problem of Overthinking

In addition to driving us bonkers, overthinking has negative effects on our mental and physical health.

A study from the Journal of Abnormal Psychology noted that overthinking can cause us to dwell on our mistakes and shortcomings, increasing the risk of mental health problems.  This can often cause the overthinker to fall into a viscous cycle of ruminating more and more while their mental health is declining.

Unsurprisingly, overthinking can also lead to emotional distress. To self-treat that distress, some overthinkiners resort to unhealthy coping strategies, like alcohol, food or addictive substances. It can also lead to a negative mood, anger and irritability. Overthinking can have physical effects, as well. Studies have linked overthinking to poor sleep quality, since the mind often won’t turn off even for sleep. It can also lead to an increased heart rate and other physical symptoms of stress.

How Do We Stop?

If only I knew! Breaking the habit of overthinking is difficult, but here are some strategies you can try.

• Take Action
  If you are a chronic overthinker, you probably have a tendency to get stuck in the “analysis” phase of a situation. Taking an initial step to solve the problem, even if it’s small, can help bust the overthinking cycle. For example, if you are overthinking about applying to college, start drafting an essay or working on your resume or even filling out a practice application. The act of doing something can get you out of your thoughts.
• Mindfulness
  Mindfulness takes practice, but has many benefits, especially for overthinkers. This meditation practice emphasizes focusing on the present moment, not the future or the past, which can help us disconnect from worry. Mindfulness has known to be beneficial for the gifted in calming intensities. Try bookending your practice with a quick calming yoga routine.
• Busy Yourself
  Sometimes simply redirecting your attention can do the trick to calm a busy mind. Absorb yourself in a hobby, whether that be exercise, crafting or playing with your family. Or get some household chores done to engage your attention elsewhere. Even getting lost in a book or movie (especially if it’s theme is disconnected from your worries) can help.
• Rename Your Thoughts
  Rename your thoughts with what they really are: self-doubt, anxiety, fear. This may help you to realize how much you are exaggerating your negative thoughts and bring your thinking down a level to really focus on the actual problem at hand.

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This post is part of the Hoagies’ Gifted Blog Hop: Overthinking. Please click the image below to keep on hopping!

I have a confession to make: I’m a pop culture nerd. I often find myself responding to situations with movie or TV quotes and can ace most pop culture-themed categories on Jeopardy!, another obsession of mine. So, when I had the chance recently to attend a screening and press junket for the upcoming movie, Gifted, I jumped at the chance to combine one of my hobbies with my work here at IEA.

Pulling up to a hotel in Beverly Hills to meet movie stars is never something I expected to do when I entered the nonprofit world. But, nonetheless, I found myself doing just that last Thursday. I was seated in a small room at a roundtable with other “non-press” attendees, allowing the chance to really dig in and ask the stars questions about giftedness.

First up we met Jenny Slate, who plays the teacher in the movie. Herself a “smart and quirky” child, Slate related to the material.

“I didn’t fit into the system but I knew there was something different about me. I felt fear and isolation because I didn’t know how to express my intelligence or use it socially, so I really connect to this,” she said. When I asked her what the movie taught her about gifted kids, she said it reinforced her belief that these students should be encouraged but also be allowed to be kids and pursue non-academic interests. “It’s all about balance,” she ended.

Next up were the movie’s leads, Chris Evans and McKenna Grace. Grace described the challenges of playing Mary, a gifted seven-year-old, and how she could connect with her.

“We all go through a time when we feel like we are different or like we don’t fit in,” said Grace, describing the feelings of many gifted students in both the classroom and social settings. The hour ended with Octavia Spencer, who plays Mary’s friend and neighbor. Spencer noted the fact that Mary connects with her character, Roberta, who is over 30 years older than her, shows how intellectually advanced she is. It is a well-known fact that many gifted children often forge friendships with older kids and even adults, so I found Spencer’s observation very astute.

Most interesting is the story behind the movie. Screenwriter Tom Flynn was inspired to write the movie because of his gifted sister, as well as her two gifted daughters. Flynn has noted in interviews that he wrote the screenplay because of the characters and to tell the story of a gifted child. The team behind the movie worked to get the joys and struggles of gifted kids right, even visiting a school for gifted children and talking to their families.

Obviously, no movie can perfectly portray the nuances of giftedness, and Gifted can be said to be a Hollywood-version of the struggles these students face. But the care taken by the cast and crew to portray Mary’s struggles is evident and the film is definitely worth seeing.

Looking for some other gifted characters in pop culture? Here are a few of my favorite movies and TV shows featuring gifted kids.

A Series of Unfortunate Events
Based on the popular children’s book series, one of my favorites as a kid, this Netflix show adapts the first four books into an eight-episode series. The Baudelaire children have to use their gifts and wits to survive in increasingly unfortunate situations, kicked off by the death of their parents. The TV series does a great job of keeping the dark humor of the books while being loyal to the plot.

Gilmore Girls
I have written before about my love for this show and how it displays gifted teens in two different, but real, ways. It’s especially good for gifted teens and pre-teens, who may be able to identify with either high-achieving Rory or bored and dissatisfied Jess.

Kiki’s Delivery Service
This Japanese anime movie follows a young witch on her required year of independence. She soon starts a delivery service for the people in her new town, but then goes through a period of questioning her powers. It’s a relatable reflection on self-doubt and the power of believing in your own abilities.

Little Man Tate
A favorite of the gifted community, this Jodie Foster movie is still as relevant today as when it was first released over 25 years ago. It’s a compelling story that, much like Gifted, addresses the struggles many gifted kids face choosing between academic pursuits and being a “normal” kid. I also think it’s one of the most accurate portrayals of a gifted child in pop culture.

What are your favorite movies and TV shows portraying gifted kids (or adults)?

If you would like to see a screening of Gifted, please look here for one in your area and RSVP to the email address provided. Be sure to mention IEA!

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The holidays are a stressful time for everyone, but can be even more so for families with gifted children. Between intensities, veering from normal routines and the challenge of gift-giving, it’s enough to stress out even the most patient caregiver.  Below are some helpful posts from gifted bloggers and organizations to help this season be peaceful and enjoyable.

Holiday stress: What parents of gifted children need to know
Licensed Psychologist Gail Post, Ph.D. shares practical tips on how parents can help gifted children, and themselves, handle their unique stressors around the holidays. Tips include setting realistic expectations and taking time for yourself as a parent to decompress.

Parenting Gifted Children Through the Holidays
More practical tips for parents, this time from a fellow parent of three gifted children, published by Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG). The author focuses on parents of children with intensities.

Managing Your Child’s Intensity During the Holidays
An enjoyable and honest guide about managing intensities from gifted parenting blogger Raising Lifelong Learners. The author includes some much-needed encouragement to parents at the end.

‘Tis the Season to be…Anxious?
Written from the perspective of a parent, this post from Gifted-Ed Connections is a short reflection on parental anxiety and how that translates to the holiday season. An encouraging short read for anxious parents.

Holidays with the Quirky
Adventures of Hahn Academy shares some of the “quirky” gifts her gifted son has requested throughout the years. The post includes a list of her son’s favorite past gifts, which may be helpful to anyone searching for a last minute Christmas gift for the gifted child in their life.

A Recipe for a Peaceful Holiday Season
More practical tips from SENG, this time from a therapist specializing in gifted children, who is a mother of the gifted herself. A nice reminder not to forget the simple things, like sleep and maintaining eating habits, in a busy season.

Surviving the Holidays with a House Full of Gifted Folks
Finally, a post from the IEA archive on managing the intensities of multiple gifted individuals. The post includes advice for both hosts and guests on how to have a peaceful holiday season.

What are your favorite tips for managing the holiday stress?

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Most of us know the incredible story of Malala Yousafzai who, after being shot while trying to attend school, became a world-renowned activist for girls’ right to an education. Fortunately, there are several children like Yousafzai who do not let their young age get in the way of fighting for what they believe in. Here are ten stories of inspirational child activists from around the world.

Bryson Foster – MDA Goodwill Ambassador

Being diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at age five hasn’t slowed Foster down. While attending a fundraiser for MD treatments at age nine, he asked to address the crowd and shared about his journey with the disease. This led to him being named an MDA Goodwill Ambassador two years in a row. Now a young adult, Foster is still active in the cause, having raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Sophie Cruz – Immigration Reform Advocate
Cruz came to prominence at age five when, after slipping through security barriers, she was lifted up to Pope Francis’ motorcade and handed him a handwritten letter urging for immigration reform. As a United States citizen and the daughter of undocumented immigrants, she was invited to the White House by President Obama to share her story. Cruz continues to advocate for immigration reform in the United States.

Anton Abele – Stopping Street Violence
Abele became involved in political advocacy following the beating death of a 16-year-old on the streets of Stockholm, in his native Sweden. An active campaigner against violence in the country, Abele received commendation from Sweden’s king for his efforts, in addition to being named Stockholmer of the Year by two Swedish newspapers, all at the age of 15. Abele went on to become the youngest member of Swedish Parliament at age 18 and still campaigns against violence.

Iqbal Masih – Stepping Up Against Abusive Child Labor
Masih, who was born in Pakistan, was sold into bondage by his family at the age of four to repay a debt. He worked long hours as a carpet weaver until age 10 when he escaped, was captured and then escaped again for good. He went on to help over 3,000 Pakistani child slaves escape from hard labor and received international recognition for his efforts. His story ended tragically when, at the age of 12, he was fatally shot in his native Pakistan.

New York City Newsboys – Seeking Fair Compensation
In 1899, several New York newspapers raised the price newsboys (or newsies) had to pay for a stack of newspapers to 60-cents-a-bundle, meaning the newsboys often had to work late in the night to make a profit. This led to a two-week strike that drastically reduced newspaper circulation in the city. The strike was successful and papers agreed to buy back unsold copies or reduce their prices.

Zach Bonner – Helping Homeless Children
When Hurricane Charley hit his native Florida, then seven-year-old Bonner started delivering water to kids in his red wagon. Shortly after, he founded the Little Red Wagon Foundation, which helps advocate and provide resources for homeless children. In the years since, Bonner has walked across the United States to raise tens of thousands of dollars for his cause and was recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Claudette Colvin – Civil Rights Activist
Nine months before Rosa Parks, there was Claudette Colvin. The then high school student was riding a bus in her native Montgomery, Alabama when she and two other women were asked to move from their seats in order for some white passengers to sit down. Colvin continually refused, even after police arrived, and was subsequently arrested. She then went on to become one of the original plaintiffs in Browder v. Gayle, the Supreme Court case that ended bus segregation once and for all.

Zach Hunter – Modern Day Abolitionist
After learning there are nearly 27 million slaves in the world, twelve-year-old Hunter decided to do something about it. He started Loose Change to Loosen Chains, a student-led movement where participants share the stories of modern day slaves and collect change in yellow cups to donate to anti-slavery organizations, such as the International Justice Mission. Now an adult, Hunter is still active in the anti-slavery movements, having written several books on the topic and frequently contributing articles to major websites.

Samantha Smith – Young Peacemaker
A child during the cold war, Smith wrote a letter to Soviet leader Yuri Andropov urging him not to go to war and instead make peace with the United States. Surprisingly, Smith received a personal reply from Andropov and was invited to visit the Soviet Union, which she accepted. She became an international symbol for peace and participated in peace-making activities in countries such as Japan, as well as writing a book about her visit to the Soviet Union. Smith died tragically at the age of 13 in a plane crash and was mourned throughout both America and the Soviet Union.

Ryan White – Standing Up for AIDS Patients
A hemophiliac, White had to receive regular blood transfusions, one of which transmitted HIV, causing him to be diagnosed with AIDS at the age of 13. When he tried to return to school after his diagnosis, he was initially denied, despite the fact that his doctor said he posed no threat to other students. (In 1985, when this incident took place, AIDS was still largely misunderstood in the United States.) White fought the decision and spent the rest of his life fighting against the societal stigmas attached to AIDS patients until he died from complications of the disease at the age of 18.

Which child activists inspire you?

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This post is part of the Hoagies’ Gifted Blog Hop Child Activists. Please click the image below to keep on hopping!

Earlier this month, a few IEA staff members attended the National Association for Gifted Children’s 63^rd Annual Convention. The theme of this year’s gathering was “Imagine the Possibilities,” with a focus on what could happen if all gifted children had the chance to reach their full potential.

I had the opportunity to attend the pre-conference program, Identifying and Serving Gifted and Talented African American and Hispanic/Latino Students. The keynote speech for this portion of the conference was given by Superintendent Alberto Carvalho of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest district in the country. Since he came on board in 2008, the district has been conducting universal gifted screenings using cultural and language sensitive assessments (a good portion of the district’s Hispanic/Latino population are English Language Learners). As a result, the district’s proportion of African American and Latino/Hispanic students represented in gifted programs is double or more the national and state averages.

Carvalho himself has an interesting story, coming to this country with his parents as an undocumented immigrant, knowing no English, and working his way up from dishwasher to superintendent. He was the only one of his siblings to even graduate high school, which he kept stressing was all about having the opportunity to succeed. He emphasized that this is what gifted students, especially those from underserved populations, need.

This message resonated with me. How can we best serve students from all backgrounds? How can we make sure no one is being left behind, that every student has the opportunity to be challenged if they choose to do so? I left NAGC with a renewed sense of optimism about the futures of these students. I met so many dedicated people from around the country working hard to serve and challenge them, to make sure the someday no one will fall through the cracks. Being surrounded by a group of dedicated educators, advocates and parents helped me to imagine the possibilities for all gifted kids.

To close, I will leave you with my favorite quote from Carvalho, about the importance of universal gifted screening to make sure no students are being left behind and unchallenged: “If you’re a smart fisherman, you don’t put a hook in the water to try to catch all fish, you put a net.”

Further Reading/Watching:

•        Here is an article about the measures being taken in the Miami-Dade schools to diversify gifted programs.
•         Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a video Carvalho’s talk from the convention, but I found this video of him talking, in part, about the importance of reaching and challenging every child                 (he’s an engaging speaker).
•         A post from the IEA archives about the fight for diversity in gifted education.

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When I saw the topic for this month’s Hoagies Gifted Education Page blog hop was “Emotional Intelligence” I have to admit I was a bit stumped. Not a topic with which I’m very familiar, I was overwhelmed with the possibility of having to write an informed blog post. So, I turned to the trusty Google search and did some digging. It did not disappoint.

I found several articles on all facets of emotional intelligence (EQ), from how it affects your career to its signs in gifted children. Rather than merging these together in a hodgepodge of my own thoughts, I wanted to share the ones I found most useful. Hopefully, these will be helpful to those who are in the same place I was.

Definitions of Emotional Intelligence

What is Emotional Intelligence?
This short primer from the University of New Hampshire gives a basic definition of emotional intelligence, along with a glossary of terms related to the subject. Perfect if you are strapped for time and want a one-minute read.

Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence,
On the other end of the spectrum, the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence is full of resources about emotional intelligence and its effects on our lives. They even host events to share recent research and announcements. Great for those who want to dive deep into the subject.

What Emotional Intelligence Is and Is Not
A helpful article from Psychology Today for those like me who think best in broken-down categories. The author reviews misconceptions about emotional intelligence common in the larger media. He also gives a brief overview of study he and a colleague conducted to measure emotional intelligence in children.

Are You Emotionally Intelligent? Here’s How to Know for Sure
A list of common traits of those with EQ coupled with brief explanations. Since the article is published on the career site Inc., it also notes studies that have found those with high emotional intelligence tend to be star performers in the work place.

Emotional Intelligence and Society

The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence
The author of this Atlantic article explains how the trait can be used for “evil,” particularly in the workplace. He explores studies conducted in workplaces that have found some employees with high EQ possess almost Machiavellian tendencies.  A very interesting read on the dangerous power of manipulation.

Can Emotional Intelligence Be Taught?
This feature from the New York Times highlights Northern California schools that attempt to teach elementary-age children to be emotionally intelligent. I was fascinated by the methods the schools used and the debate over whether or not they are effective.

Emotional Intelligence and Gifted Children

Gifted children: Emotionally Immature or Emotionally Intense?
A well-rounded piece from the Davidson Institute that emphasizes the importance of being attentive to the emotional development and needs of the gifted child. I appreciated the fact that the author acknowledged the overexcitabilities common in the population and how they can be harnessed to ensure a child thrives.

Emotional Intelligence and Gifted Children
Brainy Child provides another overview of emotional intelligence, but this one specifically relates to gifted children. Parents will appreciated the list of tips for developing EQ in the gifted, as well as notes on common emotional stressors and how to overcome them.

Encouraging Emotional Intelligence
More tips, this time from SENG, on how to nurture emotional intelligence in your gifted child. The author specifically advocates for a hands-on but not helicopter approach, guiding the child while allowing them to learn and grow on their own.

What are your favorite resources about emotional intelligence?

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This post is part of the Hoagies’ Gifted Blog Hop Emotional Intelligence. Please click the image below to keep on hopping!

It’s a question almost every parent of a gifted child struggles with at some point: should my child skip a grade (or more)? For many gifted children, grade acceleration is beneficial. Students are placed in classes where they are truly challenged and with peers more on their intellectual level. But, for some children, skipping a grade can be harmful to their social and emotional development. Being away from age group peers and automatically viewed as the “whiz kid” has the potential to lead to bullying or other emotional damage.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. (Frustrating, I know.) However, there are some common pros and cons to guide you as you make the decision.

Pros

Academic Satisfaction
Several studies have shown that children who accelerate do not suffer academically. In fact, their grades are often higher than their peers who did not accelerate and on par with older students in their grade-level, according to SENG. Accelerated students also report increased interest in and enthusiasm for school, leading to a higher rate of academic satisfaction.

Community of Intellectual Peers
Several studies have noted that, when students are among intellectual peers, they feel better socially and perform better academically. Allowing a child to skip ahead places them in learning environments with students who, while not their age, are on par with them intellectually. This community is invaluable for all children, but can be particularly meaningful for gifted students who have never before experienced it.

Reduced Behavior Problems
Behavior teachers see as trouble-making is often boredom for the gifted student. These students spend up to 50% of their class time waiting for other students to catch up and grasp the material. As a result, they engage in activities to occupy their downtime, which can include distracting other students and disrupting lessons. However, when students feel challenged by academic material, they are less likely to cause problems in the classroom. Additionally, being appropriately challenged can help behavior later in life by building appropriate coping skills for encountering obstacles.

Cons

Emotional Unpreparedness
Since gifted children sometimes experience asynchronous development, they may be academically advanced but emotionally immature. If a child is already lagging behind their peers emotionally and socially, acceleration into an older age group could intensify the problem, especially if there are not many other accelerated students. While certainly not an issue for all gifted children, it’s important for parents to consider their child’s temperament and if they can handle the pressures of being the young kid in class.

Unexpected Challenges
Gifted kids who are being considered for acceleration are often used to being at the top of the class. When moving up, this may change and can present frustration for some students. Parents should prepare students for this ahead of time, support them as they adjust to the new environment and ensure them they are not a failure if other students are above them or the arrangement doesn’t work out.

Bullying
Bullying is an unfortunate reality in the modern school system, most notably for any child perceived as “different.”  Ken Newman, who skipped a grade in elementary school and went on to attend Cornell University at age 15, recounts being bullied in high school for being smaller and younger-looking than his classmates. This can be especially prevalent in middle school, where the differences of gifted kids are most likely to be noticed. Luckily, incidents like Newman’s are more outliers than the norm, but they still happen on occasion.

If skipping an entire grade isn’t ideal for your gifted student, there are other options.

“Skipping a grade isn’t the answer for every gifted student,” said Maureen Marron of the Connie Belin and Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. “Acceleration means matching the curriculum to a student’s abilities. For one student, that may mean grade skipping; for another, it may mean acceleration in a single subject, like math; for other students, enrichment-based activities in the classroom are all they need.” Other acceleration options include starting kindergarten early, enrolling in high school AP courses or advancing to college.

At IEA, we believe every child has a unique set of needs, and whether or not grade acceleration is the right choice depends on the needs and personality of your child. And no one knows your child like you.

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I have only been at IEA for six months, but in that time one of the most frequent struggles I have heard from parents is how their child does not fit in socially. This is no surprise, due to the asynchronous development many gifted children experience, which causes them to develop at a different level socially than they do intellectually. This can cause kids to feel “different” from their peers, leading to low social self-esteem.

Low social self-esteem is not just a problem for gifted children, but it can manifest differently and more intensely in them. Michelle Muratori, a senior counselor and researcher at the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, notes in an article for Counseling Today:

“Competence and achievement are generally thought to be vital elements of self-esteem and are intertwined with a child’s evaluation and awareness of his or her own worth, so people may mistakenly conclude that gifted children are exempt from low self-esteem because they appear to be very competent and high achieving.”

Muratori goes on to say that, while gifted children are not necessarily more susceptible to low self-esteem than their non-gifted peers, their self-esteem issues are more likely to be overlooked by others or hidden by the child themselves.

One of the main causes of low social self-esteem in gifted children is what counselor Melanie Brown Kroon, LMFT, calls “divergent thinking”.  Kroon notes that many gifted people have a strong need for honesty and transparency, yet many of those considered socially successful are good at knowing what is expected from them to fit in with the norm. They will often choose to protect themselves socially rather than doing what is “right”, which is at odds with the way many gifted children think.

This can make fitting in socially difficult, since belonging to most peer groups requires some conformity. It often leads gifted kids with low self-esteem to believe they have to choose between being accepted by their peers and being true to who they are. Additionally, Kroon notes that, due to the Dabrowski overexcitabilities often present, gifted kids tend to be more intense in their feelings. Often, this causes them either to stand out or try to be unnoticed, making them easy targets for teasing and bullies.

“These students may unfortunately internalize the message that it is not OK for them to be who they truly are, which may damage their global self-esteem,” said Muratori. Furthermore, a study from the University of Washington, notes that gifted children are not always taught to use their many capabilities to solve the problem and need help obtaining a balanced view of their self-worth in both a social and intellectual context.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help your gifted child improve their social self-esteem.

• Find opportunities for them to interact with intellectual peers. Friends are an essential component to boosting social self-esteem. Start by talking to your school’s gifted coordinator, or connecting with a gifted advocacy group in your state. (IEA’s Gifted Resource Center has a state-by-state list.) Ask them about social or interest groups that would fit your child. Also, consider inquiring about parent groups, where you can foster connections for both your child and yourself. If there are no groups in your area, some parents have recommended searching online resources and connecting your child with a pen pal. Keep in mind that gifted children may not always find close friends in their age group.
• Help them recognize their contributions. Kroon notes that it is important to remember that your child is a complex person with both intellectual and emotional needs. Help them recognize their contributions in all facets of their life by making a list of accomplishments they are proud of beyond just academics.
• Don’t let them think everything is easy. “Gifted Guru”, Lisa Van Gemert, M.Ed.T., points out that some gifted children develop the idea that, if they are smart, everything will come easily to them. This makes them more likely to quit when something, such as finding a friend group, becomes difficult. Remind them that even the best performers practice a lot and help them develop a manageable plan for overcoming obstacles.
• Seek counseling if the need arises. Sometimes, even with the best parental and teacher support, a gifted child may need counseling to deal with issues related to low social self-esteem, notes Davidson Gifted.

Hopefully, with a little help and lots of patience, your gifted child will develop a healthy social self-esteem and be able to reach their full potential in all areas of life.

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