Truth: Many gifted children are more mature than other kids their age. That does not mean though they are ready to have mature conversations that children a few years older than them are having. Emotionally they are still the age on their birth certificate. They might be able to talk about quantum physics but still throw a fit when things do not go their way. No matter how smart they appear to be, it is important not to forget they are children.  

The truth is that the Gifted students need guidance from well-trained teachers who challenge and support them in order to fully develop their abilities, in other words, nurture their talents, otherwise they can feel frustrated or bored.

Benefits:

• High Energy & Stamina

• Strong Drive & Motivation

• Quick Thinking & Fast Response

• Enhanced Athleticism & Physical Skills

• Passion for Engagement

• Resilience & Productivity

• Deep Empathy and Compassion

Many gifted children display a strong sense of fairness and an innate desire to help others.

• Enhanced Perception

Their sensitivity allows for profound connections with people, nature, art, and everyday experiences.

• Rich Inner Life

Intense internal dialogue and creative processing lead to unique problem-solving and creative expression.

• Emotional Expression as Strength

When embraced positively, these traits can boost self-awareness and resilience.

Eventually, teachers taught her decoding strategies that worked. Her teachers also read aloud books that were above her reading level to model the process. These books were books that interested her. When it came time, she was able to find a book series that was on her level- both reading level and maturity level. This helped Merrill discover the joys of reading!

Julia, 2nd grade. She had challenge paying attention in class. She is often day dreaming and often felt embarrassed when called on. Expert says that teachers should manage the distraction. This can be done by giving students more hands - on activities for active participation. Also, teachers should use strategies to help kids stay focus such as frequent breaks and fidget toys.

Have frequent breaks between lessons.

Myth #1: Being gifted makes up for having a learning or thinking difference.

Myth #2: Students can’t be gifted and lack basic skills, so they’re just not trying hard enough.

Myth #3: 2e students aren’t eligible for IEPs or 504 plans.

Myth #4: Giftedness and challenges can’t be addressed at the same time.

Myth #5: Addressing weaknesses should be the top priority when helping 2e students.

Myth #6: 2e students need accommodations, so they can’t be in AP classes.

Myth #7: 2e students should be more mature than other kids their age.

Maya is a 2nd Garde student that is at frustration level in regard to Reading. When attempting to read, she often finds herself mixing up words and sounds which leaves her in a state of confusion. Because she cannot differentiate the two, she tries to use illustration to aid in understanding the unfamiliar words. Feeling defeated due to her inability to reading, Maya felt that all of her peer were excelling, and she was being left behind. Experts express that reading can be quite an obstacle for some children. She also expressed an alarming concern that if we don't provide our children with the necessary support and foundational skills to become fluent readers, in the near future our children might become deflated and demotivated when it comes to reading. In order for us to turn this obstacle into and opportunity, it is imperative that we model good reading habits. First by setting goals that they can obtain, providing children with books that they can decode as well as sharing a challenging text alongside them helps foster their reading skills.

1. Take a moment to breathe.

-Deep breathing can help everyone

2. Listen carefully.

-Take a moment to fully hear your surroundings, especially when it is quiet

3. Ground yourself.

-Go outside. Eat lunch at a outdoor picnic table or take a walk around the building.

4. Use your sense of smell. 

-Use an oil diffuser or a wax melter in your classroom

5. Try a change of scenery.

-Go to a different area of the building or go outside

6. Walk mindfully.

-Take your time while walking through the building; don't just rush to your next spot

7. Make an authentic connection.

-Actually have a non-academic conversation with a student or a colleague

1. Do Mindfulness Breathing

To practice mindful breathing, place

your right hand on your belly and your

left hand on your chest, feeling the

gentle rise and fall of your breathe.

Count to three as you inhale and

exhale.

2. Mindfulness Through Sensory Experiences - Like listening to relaxing music , calm sounds, play I Spy or create mind jars.

3. Mindfulness Through Guided Imagery For example, when introducing a new topic like animals, let kids close their eyes and slowly talk them through a pretend journey. Then, they can draw what they imagined or discuss their ideas.

4. Mindfulness Through Movement

   Introduce movement in your classroom like Yoga.

Sensory experiences also help children focus and relax. Try listening to relaxing music or other calming sounds in the classroom. You might also take the children outside to hear the sounds of nature. They could play I Spy or create mind jars. This activity involves putting items with strong, familiar smells (like cinnamon, flowers, cheese, or popcorn) in jars and having the children guess the items by using their sense of smell. To focus them on their sense of touch, ask your children to close their eyes, give each one a cotton ball or sponge, and have them guess what they're holding. Sensory tables covered with containers of water, sand, ice, or thematic props are great. Encourage imaginative play with Play-doh, clay, shaving cream, or Slime.

https://youtu.be/g7FdMi03CzI

Our brain are made up of neurons. These neurons are neuroplasticity, they can take on challenges and let your brain grow. Challenges let your brain grow stronger and practices turn challenges into strength.

If you tell a child they are smart, they want to uphold their reputation. If you tell a child they are hardworking, they want to uphold their reputation.

There are three key components to the flexible mindsets approach that feed each other and propel students along the path of directing their own learning journey.

Metacognition: Having flexible growth mindset to become aware of our ability to reflect upon our own thinking and learning, or metacognition

Positive thinking: having a positive mindset helps us to understand that we are lifelong learners, that is getting smarter. Understanding that there is value in making mistakes and not knowing. The flexible mindsets framework differs from growth mindsets by being explicit about fusing our encouragement to keep trying with direct instruction and feedback about adaptive strategy use.

Executive function strategies: In our model, executive function (EF) is a set of interrelated processes such as planning, working memory, self-monitoring, and thinking flexibly. We need EF processes to understand what we need to do, figure out how to get there, and make it happen. Simply put, it’s how we get stuff done.

Sometimes, what may look like trouble with working memory is actually an attention issue: The information was never put into the brain’s storage system in the first place. Learn more about the differences between attention and working memory. 

 Providing the support that children need to build these skills by spending time teaching executive functioning skills. 

• Teach skills explicitly

• Problem-solve through scenarios

• Embed skills in the curriculum. For example, teach students how to plan when a project is assigned.

•   color coordinating their books, notebooks, and folders.  Visually give your kiddo a chance to figure things out for himself.(autonomous).

• Use a multisensory approach when assigning tasks.

• Encourage flexible thinking.

• Use simple worksheets to practice following directions.

• Use puzzles

• Play games. Games provide an opportunity to exercise memory, order, and following rules in a low stress and fun way.

• participating in sports, doing chores, playing strategy games and playing a musical instrument.