This document summarizes a presentation given at a parent coffee for JN Fries Magnet School in January 2017. The presentation addressed the academic, social, and emotional issues that gifted children may face, including strengths that could become problems. It discussed concepts like growth mindset, imposter syndrome, and overexcitability. Strategies were provided for building resilience in gifted children, such as using growth mindset language and acknowledging effort over innate ability. The presentation aimed to help parents understand and support their gifted children.

1. JN Fries Magnet School
Parent Coffee
January 2017

2. 1. Understand the academic, social and
emotional issues that can arise for
gifted kids
2. Understand the concept of the
growth mindset
3. Change the way we talk to our kids
and generate strategies to build
resilience

3. The very STRENGTHS that make
a child gifted ….
can be the very CAUSE of
potential problems the child faces
in school, at home, and in social
relationships.

4. Strength Flip Side Possible Consequences

5. Strength Flip Side Possible Consequences

6. Strength Flip Side Possible Consequences
See full list at : http://www.greatpotentialpress.com/living-with-the-ups-and-downs

7. Imposter Syndrome:
 Some gifted kids deny their
talents, burying them under
a guise of “goof” or “know-it-
all;” many of these children
have trouble with self-
acceptance
Academic Mismatch:
 My Classroom is not set
up for my…
 Learning Style
 Abstract/Creative Thinking
 Need for independence

8. Heightened Anxiety:
 [There is] abundant
available evidence that
gifted children show
enhanced sensory activation
and awareness. Gifted
brains are essentially
“hyper-sensitive”
 … Eide & Eide, Brains on
Fire
Overexcitability:
Intensities indicating a
heightened response to
stimuli. Expressed in
increased sensitivity,
awareness, and
intensity

10. Risk Taking:
 Being pushed to
accept a risk that was
not on your personal
agenda
Risk Making:
You are the person
doing the pulling

11.  The dynamics of risk-taking vs. risk-
making is worth considering, especially
with quick-to-criticize-themselves gifted
children who are used to (addicted to?)
success.
 Prevents students from reaching full
potential both in school and career
Can lead to “I am BORED” syndrome

14. Fixed mindset:
the belief that
intelligence is a fixed
trait– you are born
with or without it
Growth mindset:
the belief that the
brain is like a muscle
that can grow
stronger through
hard work

16. You’re so
smart!
Math is
just your
thing…
You’re just
a natural
at baseball.
Don’t worry– I
was bad at
math in school
too…

17. Wow, you really
practiced that
and look how
you’ve improved!
See? You
studied
more and
your grade
is higher!
You stuck to this
and now you
really
understand it! You came up
with that
creative solution
all on your own!

18. 1. Acknowledge and identify
failures.
2. Change intrinsic beliefs.
3. Explore the consequences or
effects
4. Challenge those beliefs.
5. Take action for change

20.  “Growing Up Gifted” presentation by Nikki Sandor: CCS AIG Coordinator, Erin Banks:
School Psychologist, Jillian Bossemeyer: School Psychologist, Jaimie Iovacchini: School
Psychologist
 Byrdseed.com
 http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/11/23/teachers-parents-often-misuse-growth-
mindset-research-carol-dweck-says
 http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/11/16/growth-mindset-clearing-up-some-common-
confusions/?utm_content=bufferb8ddb&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_c
ampaign=buffer