Getting inside your PEAKster’s head

A quick trip to see how gifted children commonly see the world…

…and how you can help them

(Plus some other stuff)

Leap thinking The term we use to describe gifted

thinking “Smart” vs “Thinks differently”

Leap thinkers… are curious ask big questions  have wild

imaginations can store information

in their minds know things without

studying  use lots of words

when talking love learning

can think “out of the box” or fill the box up quickly

can skip steps and still get the right answer

love to build and invent things

can remember things in detail

use BIG words might worry a lot or

cry easily can read difficult

books

How does PEAK work? Meet once a

week 90 minutes for

3rd

120 minutes for 4th and 5th.

Study trips to the downtown ACPL

Parents invited to daytime events

What are the PEAKsters learning?

3rd grade 4th grade 5th grade

• Emphasis on research skills, creativity, working as a member of a team

• Quality products ~ Binders and flipbooks, Magic Books, PowerPoint

• Staying excited about learning

The problem of boredom

Mind like a magnet…or a mosquito Need for speed

Forbidden phrase!

Introverts and Extroverts

Where do you get your mental energy

Very strong

introvert

Introvert Mix of both

Extrovert Very strong

extrovert

15-014-1

13-212-3

11-410-59-6

8-77-8

6-95-104-11

3-122-13

1-140-15

MR

Mrs. BL G

IKCAENMCAAMSBMBLEM J

JPVRABKNACPJNS

HXDC

RW

 

Numbers indicate scores on a survey. The first number is answers that are common for introverts and the second number is answers common for extroverts.

Social skills Not always a good fit with age

peers Social skills have to be learned

Perfectionism Pursuit of excellence=good Perfectionism=not so good!Why is this such a problem for gifted children?

Characteristics of perfectionists Exceptionally high expectations

for themselvesGetting embarrassed easily. Being

self-conscious and self-critical

Feeling inadequate, having little self-confidence

Being anxious about making mistakes

Sensitive to criticism Procrastinating. Avoiding stressful situations or difficult tasks

Being emotionally guarded and socially inhibited

Critical of others

Half-finished school work or avoiding it altogether

Difficult time making decisions and/or prioritizing tasks

Slow meticulous completion of homework

Procrastination

Headaches, stomach aches, depression or other physical

ailments when they disappoint themselves or think they have

disappointed others

Feeling happiest when not being challenged

The effect of praise

Praise children for taking risks and for effort rather than for successful accomplishments

Source: Nurtureshock; New Thinking about ChildrenBy Po Branson and Ashley Merryman

Underachievement You are not alone.

Define the problem and be specific.

Use strategies that help.

Decision making Because they show promise, it is

easy to overschedule gifted children.