Parents! Are you feeling isolated? Unappreciated? Needing validation?
Parenting a gifted child can be absolutely overwhelming so finding people who share and understand your struggles is essential to your confidence as a parent. A parent group guides the deeper understanding of student needs and the strategies that are used in order to meet those needs. Student voice also is enhanced by parent understanding and support. The greater understanding a parent has for the student's ability and the support that is available to them, the better the student can access what is needed through the effort of advocacy.
This session will explore the value of a group for the parents of gifted children. It will provide a roadmap for starting and sustaining a parent group in your community. It is easy for parents of gifted children to feel isolated, uncertain and unappreciated. Often they crave camaraderie and validation. Parenting a gifted child can be absolutely overwhelming so finding people who share and understand
the struggle is essential to confidence as a parent. Through the facilitation and participation in guided parent discussion groups we realized that the most vital part of our meetings happened after the scheduled group time. Unstructured time in a room with others who have common experiences gives parents unspoken permission to share personal stories around the challenges, struggles and successes related to parenting a gifted child.
This session will explore our experience in forming a dynamic parent group. We will share the resources we used and participants will leave with a better understanding of the value of connecting with other parents. There will be time for questions and brainstorming as well as concrete suggestions for starting a parent group.
NAGC Standards AddressedStandard 1: Learning and Development1.5. Awareness of Needs. Students’ families and communities understand similarities and differences with respect to the development and characteristics of advanced and typical learners and support students with gifts and talents’ needs.
- 1.5.1. Educators collaborate with families in accessing resources to develop their child's talents
Standard 2: Assessment2.4. Learning Progress and Outcomes. Students with gifts and talents demonstrate advanced and complex learning as a result of using multiple, appropriate, and ongoing assessments.
- 2.4.5. Educators communicate and interpret assessment information to students with gifts and talents and their parents/guardians
Standard 5: Programming5.3. Collaboration. Students with gifts and talents’ learning is enhanced by regular collaboration among families, community, and the school.