This book covers just about everything a parent of a gifted child needs to know about raising gifted children. Those who are new to the world of gifted children will find the first chapters assuring and informative. The first chapter briefly explores the concept of giftedness, including the role of genetics and environment, multiple intelligences, and measurement of intelligence. The second chapter starts out with the "check list" of traits but then goes on to discuss the most typical characteristics in detail, providing examples to help readers understand each particular trait. The examples are particularly helpful for parents who aren't quite sure if their child is really gifted or "just bright."
Three of the other chapters of the book -- one on communication, one on discipline, and one on the complexities of successful parenting -- are about parenting a gifted child. Each of these chapters provides specific strategies parents can use. Some of the strategies, such as setting limits, can also be found in the typical parenting book, but in A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children, the impact of those strategies on gifted children are usually provided. For example, the authors advise parents to avoid sarcasm since the intense sensitivity of many gifted children can cause them to be deeply hurt by it.
At some point, most gifted children will attend school and the chapters on school and education will help parents gain a basic understanding of IQ and achievement tests as well as the various programming options, such as differentiation, that schools use to accommodate gifted kids.
Three of the other chapters of the book -- one on communication, one on discipline, and one on the complexities of successful parenting -- are about parenting a gifted child. Each of these chapters provides specific strategies parents can use. Some of the strategies, such as setting limits, can also be found in the typical parenting book, but in A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children, the impact of those strategies on gifted children are usually provided. For example, the authors advise parents to avoid sarcasm since the intense sensitivity of many gifted children can cause them to be deeply hurt by it.
At some point, most gifted children will attend school and the chapters on school and education will help parents gain a basic understanding of IQ and achievement tests as well as the various programming options, such as differentiation, that schools use to accommodate gifted kids.
