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Gifted children are all individuals and present their giftedness in different ways. However, a commonÌý²ú±ð±ô¾±±ð´ÚÌý¾±²õÌýthat if a child is gifted then they can cope well in any situation, are successful in all areas of life and have high self-esteem.ÌýIn fact, this is not always the case.Ìý

As a parent or educator of gifted children, you mayÌýwonderÌýhow you can nurture and build persistence and resilience. Here are threeÌýwaysÌýto look atÌýyour gifted child’s life and how you can support them in a positiveÌýway.Ìý

1. Challenge them

If a gifted child is not challenged,ÌýtheyÌýmayÌýnot developÌýtheÌýresilienceÌýthey will needÌýwhen content becomes challengingÌýlater onÌýin their school life. As a parent you need to find places where your child can go to be challenged and to work with others who think at their level. This way, they can learn to come second, make mistakes and see problems from different perspectives.ÌýÌý

These activities couldÌýtake placeÌýbefore or after school, atÌýlunchtime, gifted days out of the classroomÌýor on the weekend. They could be run in a science lab,Ìýwith other gifted children,Ìýin a chess club or a local geologists’Ìýsociety.Ìý

You can find activities that ignite further interest in a variety of places – they do not need to be specifically for children of their age – so search around and see what might grab your child’s attention.ÌýAÌýnew environment with like-minded peers and challenging content will be a great way for them to develop their resilience, as they will see that they may not always be the fastest, smartest or best problem solver.ÌýThey will have theÌýopportunity toÌýmake mistakes andÌýthen toÌýmake progress. ÌýÌý

2. Focus on notable people

Children who struggle with persistenceÌýwhen things become difficult or are not resilient in challenging situations always benefit from reading about successful people in theirÌýareasÌýofÌýinterest.Ìý

When gifted childrenÌýlearnÌýabout highly successful people and understand how they persistedÌýwith a problem or overcame challenges that made them want to give up at times, they can see how positive thinking, learning from mistakes and trying again is a positive way to function.Ìý

AsÌýtheirÌýparents and educators, we cannot always tell these students about the difficulties we had when we were little becauseÌýwe are notÌýnecessarilyÌýthe highly successful people they look up to.Ìý

Find a highly successful person in yourÌýchild’s field of passion.ÌýLearn aboutÌýtheirÌýchildhoodÌýandÌýhow they overcameÌýany difficultiesÌýthroughÌýpersistence and resilienceÌýto achieve their goals. This can beÌýa fun learning activityÌýthrough reading books and watching documentaries together.ÌýThere are many great books now written for children that highlight successful peopleÌýfromÌýallÌýwalksÌýof life. Gifted childrenÌýbenefit from reading these to see that success rarelyÌýcomesÌýeasily. Ìý

3. Building connections

When gifted children connect withÌýothersÌýwho share their passions and think with the same ability,Ìýthey feel more confidentÌýtoÌýbelieve in their abilities andÌýshow resilience when challenges arise.ÌýThe following types of connections are essential for your gifted child.Ìý

Family connectionsÌý

Ìýthat gifted children whoseÌýfamilies play an active role in their education and have high expectations are more likely to be resilient.ÌýAs a parent of a giftedÌýchild,Ìýit’s importantÌýthat youÌýspend timeÌýtogether. Talk toÌýyour childÌýaboutÌýtheir successes and failures, areas they need support in andÌýnew ideas they have. This conversationÌýallows them to reflect on their day in a safe environment,ÌýunderstandingÌýthat everyoneÌýhasÌýdifficultiesÌýand can receive support.ÌýÌý

Social connectionsÌý–ÌýmentorsÌý

Many gifted students who have mentors in their field of interests haveÌýdemonstrated strongÌýresilience.ÌýMentorsÌýmay include a sportsÌýcoach, trusted teacher, family member or a counsellor.ÌýHaving a significant person in their life helps gifted students work through problemsÌýand challengesÌýwith people who understand how they think.Ìý

SocialÌýconnections –Ìýlike-minded peersÌý

All gifted students need to feel a connection with like-minded peers. This can be difficult at school if a gifted child is functioning at an age level above their chronological age.ÌýBy joining groups outside of the classroom,Ìýthese studentsÌýhaveÌýthe opportunity toÌýbe challenged and develop resilience.ÌýThese friendshipsÌýcan alsoÌýfoster self-belief, which in turn helpsÌýdevelop skills in resilience and persistence.ÌýÌý

Home to school connectionÌý

When schools and parents connect well and share information,ÌýtheyÌýshow aÌýchild that they are working together. This is particularly important for gifted children asÌýthey oftenÌýfeel they stand out, are not catered for or do not have any friends.ÌýWhen a child knows that both school and home know what is happening,Ìýand the child has a voice,Ìýthey willÌýlikelyÌýfeel more challenged, supported and listened to.Ìý

A final word

AsÌýtheÌýparent of a gifted child,Ìýyou can support themÌýtoÌýdevelop their skills in resilience and persistence.ÌýWhen your gifted child feels challenged, their motivation will rise.ÌýWhen your gifted child sees they are learning, their persistence will develop.ÌýWhen your gifted child works alongside like-minded peers,Ìýthey will show strength in resilience as they watch how others dealÌýwith problems that are not easily solved.ÌýWhen your child understands that they are not the only person with a brilliant mind,Ìýthey canÌýcontinue toÌýdevelop their own skills to excel.Ìý

Part of building resilienceÌýand persistenceÌý¾±²õ feeling that we belong,ÌýareÌýmotivated by what we do every day and that we are supported.ÌýAs a parent you are a keyÌýcatalystÌýin theÌýdevelopmentÌýof your child’sÌýgifts into a talent. By using theseÌýstrategiesÌýyou can be the positive support your child needs.ÌýÌý