Parent Conversations:  Myths About Gifted Learners

As a young parent I succumbed to myths about gifted children.  That is, until I I had enough experience to understand that gifted qualities were as unique to each child as a fingerprint.  You may have heard:  "Gifted learners are motivated learners who get good grades." or "Gifted learners are all high achievers." or "Gifted children don't need help.  They're fine on their own."

These ideas are harmful to a child who is gifted for many reasons.  A gifted child may be underachieving due to the fact that they have an unrecognized learning issue that requires support or struggling with executive function issues.  Or struggling to be motivated because the environment is not providing sufficient challenge.  The "good grade" myth discounts a gifted student who is not motivated by high achievement, but who instead prefers to learn and understand a subject throughly to their own satisfaction.  Misunderstanding may leave a child isolated, without peers and in danger of being misunderstood in ways that label them "lazy".  

Gifted learners have a lot of potential and ability, but there are  myths and misconceptions about giftedness that can interfere with understanding and supporting their needs.  Giftedness is a multi-faceted and complex subject.  Being clear on the facts is important to a child's self-image and well-being.  Knowing the facts and research can help parents find clarity to support their child(ren) for balanced and healthy outcomes.  Please join us for an in depth discussion.

Here's a few resources to support understanding and discussion:  

Disproving Myths about Gifted Students:  https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/disproving-myths-about-gifted-students/ 

Myths About Gifted Students:  https://nagc.org/page/myths-about-gifted-students

Ten Myths of Giftedness: https://www.thegwordfilm.com/the-g-word-blog/2019/12/13/ten-myths-of-giftedness 

We aspire to welcome everyone and safely address gifted topics that are accessible and relevant to busy parents.  Join us to listen, participate, collect resources, share ideas and create community that supports and understands gifted parenting. Topic suggestions welcome and will change each session, with resources  to inform and fuel the conversation.  It's OK if you don't have time to absorb resources, just join us for inspiring conversation with other gifted parents and Katherine Peterson, parent, CGCC Board Member / Facilitator.   Other CGCC Board Members, and CGCC Professional Members will join as they are able. Please feel free to reach out to Katherine Peterson, CGCC Board Member & Parent Discussion Facilitator with questions, ideas or to share your comments.  

Please note:  Due to the popularity of these discussions there is a $5 charge for non-members.  Consider joining as a member for a $25 annual fee to attend all member events for FREE, or please ask for a sliding scale.  We are open to all requests.

We cap this group at 10 participants, so please sign up to save your place, and cancel if you're unable to attend so others on the waiting list may enjoy this offering.