Gifted Children: A Guide for Parents and Professionals

by Kate Distin

Overview

Winner of the NAGC Celebrating Gifts and Talents 2007 "Most Important Book" Gold Award

Gifted Children is a lively and informative exploration of the mystery of the gifted mind and the social and emotional needs of gifted children and their families.

The authors give an insight into what is 'normal' for gifted children, acknowledge the difficulties they experience, and offer pointers for parents on how to support them at home, in the interaction with siblings and other family members, and at school. The authors identify self-acceptance and communication with others as key skills for gifted children, whose exceptional abilities in fields ranging from music and maths to linguistics and art are often complicated by poor social skills, dyslexia or other difficulties.

This excellent book, written by counsellors who are also parents with first- hand knowledge of living and working with gifted children, is an accessible and positive guide full of constructive advice and encouragement for other parents. It includes practical information such as useful contact details, as well as opportunities for reflection.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846425073
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	04/27/2006
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	272
File size:	544 KB

About the Author

Each of the authors counselled gifted children and their families for the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), before it closed in 2005. They all have first-hand experience either of being gifted children themselves or being parents or grandparents of gifted children.

Table of Contents

Introduction. Part 1: Gifted Children and their Families. 1. What is Normal for a Gifted Child? 2. Giftedness in the Family. 3. Beyond the Family. 4. Giftedness and Schools. 5. Gifted Children and Home Education. Part 2: Special Needs and Special Talents. 6. Gifted Children with Special Needs. 7. Gifted Children with Asperger Syndrome. 8. Gifted Adolescents. 9. What is it Like to be a Gifted Linguist? 10. Managing the Multi-talented Child. 11. Giftedness and Creativity: Some Pointers. 12. Musically Gifted Children. 13. Effective Communication: The Way We Say It. Part 3: Conclusions. 14. Living with Giftedness. References. Index.

Editorial Reviews

Written by a group of volunteer counselors for the United Kingdom's National Association for Gifted Children (which closed last year), this work addresses the struggle parents face in trying to meet the social, emotional, and educational needs of their gifted children. The authors acknowledge the individuality of gifted children and their families while providing information and advice applicable to most. Sidebars ask questions that encourage parents to examine their own feelings and experiences and to explore the ways in which their child might be similar to and different from the descriptions provided in the section. Part 1 focuses on gifted children and their families in general; Part 2 considers the needs and challenges specific to various forms of giftedness (e.g., the linguistically or musically gifted child) and of gifted children with physical or mental disabilities, including Asperger's syndrome. Written clearly and concisely and meant for the educated layperson, this work includes an appendix of current professionals and services in Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Recommended for all public libraries.-Suzanne M. Stauffer, UCLA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

I used to childmind a boy who has since been “labelled” as having “Asperger Syndrome”. I always knew that there was something different about him but couldn't put my finger on what it was. This book would have been a wonderful resource to have then, as now I can relate his behaviour and his emotions, to him dealing with his gift.

National Association of Child-Minders

A useful practical and well written informative book written by 10 authors who for many years counselled gifted children and their families for the National Association for Gifted Children until the counselling service closed in 2005. All have first hand experience of giftedness; either being gifted themselves or having children or grandchildren who are gifted.

NAGC Newsletter (National Association of Gifted Children)

An excellent book written in an easy to read lively text explaining the gifted mind and the social and emotional needs of gifted children and their families.

Education Otherwise

This book provides an informative exploration of the gifted mind and the social and emotional needs of gifted children and their families… The book describes itself as a guide for parents and professionals. I think parents of gifted children would find it highly supportive and informative, particularly the contacts it offers with other organizations. Professionals working to support families would also find it helpful as an introductory text.

The British Psychological Society

Written in a style that is immediately accessible for both parents and teachers. The information is straightforwardly set out and the reader is left with a clear understanding of what giftedness is, the range that it encompasses and how it affects families, children and their learning.

The Magazine of the Cambridge Society

This is an excellent resource that should meet its stated goal of helping gifted children and their families to live more comfortably with giftedness and to reach beyond the challenges towards the rewards.

Educational Review Vol. 60