by
Tina VelgosYou Know Your Child Is Gifted When...
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Parenting Gifted Kids 101 By Judy Galbraith, M.A. 1-57542-076-7 |
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Loaded with common sense, wisdom, and wit, Judy Galbraith takes a positive, practical approach and provides readers with vital information on how to parent a gifted child. She calls her book "A Beginner's Guide To Life on the Bright Side."
Galbraith makes it easy for parents to understand and accept the word "gifted" and reinforces that being gifted is a good thing, despite what others may say.
Although "You Know Your Child Is Gifted When..." isn't a gifted assessment book, it's perfect for parents of young kids (preschool through grade 3) who need reassurance that being different is good.
Throughout the book, Galbraith identifies major characteristics in the gifted child: advanced intellectual ability; verbal proficiency; curiosity; creativity; high energy; focus, passion, intensity; logical thinking; sensitivity; and sense of humor.
By reading the common traits associated with the word "gifted", readers can learn the good and "not-so-good" things they may experience in rearing a "brainy child".
Nicely laid out with cartoon-style illustrations and an abundance of frequently asked questions, this book is essential reading for parents and teachers of kids who love to learn and are just "plain smart in a lot of areas"!
As a parent of two gifted kids (both easily get bored--especially in school), I found this book a wealth of reassuring information. It provides parents with validation that it's okay to use the word "gifted", despite schools who don't embrace the word.
Parents need not feel ashamed that their child is gifted, either! This book will supply parents with the important information they need to help communicate with their child's teachers. I agree with the author that it's vital to get a gifted child into gifted programs at school. In fact, I believe that by denying a child enrollment in a gifted program, parents and teachers are, in effect, holding a child back from reaching his/her full potential.
My experience has also been that many children fall between the cracks when it comes to gifted programs in public schools. Formal testing in our school district doesn't begin until Grade 3. When my daughter was in grades 1 and 2, it was necessary to put her in an "Able Learners" program to provide extra challenges she needed to alleviate boredom. Unfortunately, now this program is only a once a week pull-out. Is this enough for young, gifted children? I don't think so. Formalized gifted programs begin at Grade 3 and seem to emphasized standardized achievement tests and IQ tests, rather than important teacher observations.
I would heartily recommend this book to parents of gifted and bright children, especially to those just starting off in school, whether it be preschool or kindergarten.
Hats off to Ms. Galbraith in writing one of the best and practical books on gifted children. Her jargon-free explanations and hands-on tips are a wealth of information for parents who wish to become advocates for their gifted child at school and at home.