The Do’s and Don’ts for Teachers of Gifted Students

This advice is relevant for teachers at any grade level. And, if you’re the parent of a gifted child, feel free to share this with your child’s teacher(s). That said, here’s some of my advice after years of studying giftedness and what gifted school children need in order to thrive.

First, do familiarize yourselves with gifted behaviors and characteristics. Then, don’t hesitate to ask other teachers and your principal for their ideas and advice. In the earliest grade levels, most parents of gifted children are just starting their own journeys to understand what giftedness is and what their really smart child needs and likes, so although you should listen to them, try to development a collaboration of some sort.

Do Provide Intellectual Challenge in school from the beginning of your time with the student. Gifted children learn to underachieve in the early grades. Accomplishing what their classmates accomplish is done with no effort, no practice, and great speed. Test anxiety, perfectionism, and fear of failure may all be associated with this early conditioning and lack of challenge in school. A child who has had no opportunity to practice, to develop organizational and study skills — because nothing asked of her requires any thought or effort — is the child who is likely to crumble in confusion and self-disappointment when she runs…