More Questions to Me in 2011 About Giftedness

… and how I responded

As I wrote in the first post on this topic, in 2009 I was in the middle of a busy time for myself. I had many things going on that left my head spinning.

My “official” consultancy spanned 18 years, but I was actively involved in figuring out giftedness since the late 1970s when two of my very young children were showing this experienced teacher — me — that there is more to this parenting and educational thing than I’d believed. I’m still growing, learning, and sharing as I go and want this series of my responses to some interview questions in 2011 to show readers who have read a lot of my thoughts over the years that growing and changing is a good thing. Most of my work since 2015 has stressed the social-emotional and inner growth of gifted people as they mature.

Michael Shaughnessy asked me to write my answers to his questions for a piece in an educational journal. He then did all the heavy lifting of getting it published. (1) These are his questions and my responses in about 2011. The article was published in 2013.

Why is it important for parents and teachers to have a plan for the child’s growth and development?

I don’t recommend that parents over-focus on their child’s development, but it is important for them to realize that their child’s…