If you've learned that your child has a high I.Q., you have every reason to be happy: Your child's potential could lead her toward amazing achievements and contributions. However, your job as a parent is to not only nurture your child's intellect and academic success but guide her through the emotional, psychological and social challenges that she will face in life. Gifted children are by no means immune to the emotional pitfalls of growing up. By recognizing her unique intellectual and emotional needs, you can guide your gifted child toward a healthy adulthood.
Step 1
Provide your child with several different "peer groups." According to the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, children with high I.Q.s engage in highly complex play that other kids their age might not understand, causing the other children to become frustrated and abandon the game. Gifted children may, as a result, adapt their style of play to suit their peers' more basic levels of understanding. A solution to this is to introduce a few different playgroups for your child, one consisting of older children for more sophisticated games, and a same-age group for basic physical play or sports.
Step 2
Teach your child how to manage stress. According to Prufrock Press, gifted kids are likely to face stress as they progress through school, in part due to expectations resulting from their high I.Q. and in part due to social differences from peers. Teaching your child how to cope with stress through relaxation or mindfulness techniques may help him to feel less anxious. Prufrock Press also emphasizes that you should encourage your child to enjoy nonacademic hobbies and pursuits.
Step 3
Find ways to meet your child's educational needs. According to the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a preschool child who has already mastered the fundamentals of reading and math will likely be bored in kindergarten. In these cases, there is no single "best" course of action, other than what is best for your child. You may consider having your child skip kindergarten and progress to first grade, but in some cases gifted children's emotional readiness has not caught up to their intellectual needs. You can also consider a special mentor for your child, supplemental learning at home or homeschooling.
Step 4
Avoid living vicariously through your child. While it's natural to have hopes for your child's potential, it's not healthy to impose your dreams or desires on her. According to Prufrock Press, placing a label on your child or identifying her "gift" prematurely is likely to lead to emotional problems starting in adolescence. Instead, encourage your child to explore her own interests, and expose her to as many academic subjects, disciplines and art forms as you can.
Tips and Warnings
- Model healthy and grounded behavior. Highly intelligent children also look to their parents for examples on how to behave, reports Prufrock Press. By embodying the behavior you want him to learn, you will likely have a profound influence on your child's behavior.
