How To Support Your Gifted Students In A Time Of Stress
from BCESC Gifted Coordinator Cathy Chenoweth
There is no such thing as a “typical” or “standard” gifted student. Like all children, gifted kids are unique individuals with different strengths and needs. However, it does seem that gifted children often have common characteristics, one of which is intensity. Basically, intensity means they are “more” - more emotional, more active, more over-reactive, more dramatic. Their highs are higher and their lows are lower.
They experience the world with increased sensitivity and awareness, which results in a real difference in the way they experience life. As you can imagine, this intensity has profound implications in a time of high stress and unpredictability like we are experiencing now.

I wanted to share some resources to help you as you support your gifted students during this difficult and unprecedented time. These resources may help you interact with your gifted students in more effective, supportive ways, and they may be helpful to pass along to parents:




Some basic tips for dealing with intense children during stress:
  • Keep lines of communication open.
  • Try to maintain consistency in routines and schedules as much as possible.
  • Help students identify things they can control and act on those.
  • Give children opportunities to be creative- writing, drawing, acting, moving- any way that appeals to them.
  • Help children maintain outside friendships and relationships with peers and older generations. Use technology as well as written letters.
  • Practice gratitude and look for opportunities to help someone else.
  • Continue to provide ways for children to stretch their brains.
  • Add mindfulness practices into daily routines.
Here are some resources for fun and challenging activities to keep gifted students’ brains engaged.
Mensa for Kids - this is full of fun resources including YM 2 , a free online magazine for kids
Odyssey of the Mind Problems and more - verbal and hands-on problems kids will love to tackle
Khan and Disney - Imagineering in a Box and Pixar in a Box - put your creative thinkers to work while they learn from an amazing resource
Wonderopolis - a place to share and explore thoughts and wonderings
TED Ed - so many fun and interesting lessons with videos and corresponding open-ended questions
What challenges are your gifted students experiencing and how are you helping them through them? Feel free to send me an email and let me know what other tips I can add to our list!

If I can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Stay well,
Cathy
(513) 896-2322 office
(513) 379-3619 cell