Reducing Stress in Gifted Students

Reducing Stress in Gifted Students.
Source: http://www.edgotago.com/pb/wp_2d620fbf/wp_2d620fbf.html
Source: "Gifted Voice" Newsletter

Most gifted students are typical children and have the same needs as others - physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social needs. Giftedness, however, can sometimes add an extra dimension of intensity or depth that results in additional stress.

Causes of extra stress:
- accepting their exceptional skills, talents, and abilities as well as admitting their weaknesses/limitations
- trying to be understood and accepted by other gifted students, "normal" peers and adults
- understanding the difference between pursuing excellence and trying to achieve at a perfectionist level
- developing acceptable socializing skills with people
- developing a healthy self-concept and self-appreciation
- dealing with people who stereotype and have unrealistic expectations of them
- understanding the ways in which they are like and different from other students

To reduce stress, consider the following:
- develop a solid understanding of giftedness
- recognize efforts, achievements and improvements in a way that is free of unrealistic performance expectations
- provide opportunities to engage in challenging and exciting activities that test abilities without any pressures
- help them develop patience with themselves and others
- provide opportunities to be safely and extravagantly creative
- distinguish between hard-and-fast rules and those that can be changed
- help students learn when and how to share creative perceptions, insights and thoughts appropriately with others
- show what is and is not in their control i.e. their energy and attitudes but not their marks or awards
- allow and accept stronger emotional responses within limits
- provide methods for dealing with "boring" subjects and the occasional incompatibility with teachers
- provide counselling and advice when needed
- set appropriate expectations for effort and achievement
- decide on appropriate goals given strengths and weaknesses
- engage in activities with gifted peers as well as others
- provide realistic expectations as to what they can and can’t solve in life
- help students learn how to make life meaningful
- accepting and loving them the same as other children
- do not allow giftedness to be an excuse for rudeness, inappropriate behaviour or words
- provide opportunities for silence, contemplation, reflection, meditation
- encourage participation in sports and other physical activities in different environments
- encourage doing things for fun once in a while, not always for educational purposes

Source: http://www.edgotago.com/pb/wp_2d620fbf/wp_2d620fbf.html
Source: "Gifted Voice" Newsletter