GIFTED EDUCATION IN MATHEMATICS: THE ROMANIAN APPROACH Dr. Liliana GRATIE

SOME CENTRES and FOUNDATIONDS for Gifted Education in ROMANI IRSCA Gifted Education, RO-TALENT, Junior Achievement Romania,

There aims are: −Monitoring the evolution of outstanding students during a period of 15 years starting from the moment of identification; −Sustaining, materially and morally, gifted young people who obtained remarkable results in competitions on various school subjects; −Stimulating knowledge activities through specific extra-curricular activities organized for gifted students: subject clubs, study and creativity camps, scholarships abroad; −Supporting research in the field, training of the teaching staff working with these pupils, national and international collaboration with recognized specialists; organizing conferences, workshops, symposiums; −Training parents of gifted students.

THE JOURNEY OF A GIFTED CHILD STARTS AND CONTINUES WITH THE FAMILY ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO SPREAD THEIR WINGS Shared stories of gifted children: how their families nurtured and supported their giftedness. Keywords: guidance, understanding, encouragement, gratitude, self-confidence, support.

Tips 1. Make your home a safe retreat where your children can be their “real” selves. As they come to terms with their differences and develop their coping skills, this will at times consume their energy. Let them recharge their batteries at home. 2. Extended family can be a source of support for you and your child. Often grandparents, uncles and aunts can be advocates or mentors for children who are gifted, providing them with valuable opportunities to develop their skills and interests. 3. Focus on your teen’s strengths. Encourage him or her to find activities in or out of school that will build self-confidence and a sense of belonging.

Tips 4. Talk to other parents of teens who are gifted. Talking about your issues will help you realize that you are not alone in your experiences. 5. Read about adolescence and giftedness. Consider attending workshops for parents on giftedness and gifted education. 6. Have confidence in your teen’s ability to handle challenges. It is important to remind yourself that, although gifted children’s sensitivity can make them vulnerable to difficult situations, they are also capable of becoming stronger and more flexible as they go along. It is your job to be there for your child, but it is also your job to give him or her room to develop on his or her own.

Tips 7. Help your child to set appropriate and realistic goals for learning and to review success in achieving the goals. Teach your child how to make goals tangible and realistic. One strategy is to make goals SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. 8. Talk to your child’s teachers about your concerns. Explain what you have observed about your child’s preferred learning style, interests and talents. Discuss ways to encourage achievement. Teachers are usually open to suggestions and willing to make adjustments. 9. Help your child be comfortable with both wins and losses. Praise improvement, but be there to comfort in times of disappointment.

Tips 10. Speak positively about school and your child’s teachers. Listen to your child’s concerns about school, but encourage him or her to see the other point of view. Ask questions like “What do you think the teacher thought?” 11. Treat all of your child’s subjects as equally important and relevant. Talk about limitations as “things you are working on,” rather than “things you are bad at.” “Working on” implies that your child can and probably will improve if he or she puts in some time and effort. Although some talents and skills may never be as strong as others, improvement is always possible. 12. Help your child develop time management skills. Many children need help with skills such as planning and time management.

Tips 13. Let your child know that mistakes are normal, that everyone makes mistakes, and that mistakes are part of the learning process. Remind your child that nobody is perfect and nobody is good at everything. Acknowledge your own mistakes and those of others, including those of gifted individuals. 14. TALK with your child. Acknowledge and respect your child’s feelings. Let your sensitive gifted child be who he or she is. Talk with your child about your own feelings. Encourage your child to talk about his or her feelings. 15. Encourage your child to keep a journal. Encourage writing about what excites, exhilarates, frightens or troubles him or her. Journaling is an effective way for young people to reflect, analyze and strategize about things that concern them.

Tips 16. Seek out books about characters that face different kinds of difficult situations. Ask a librarian to guide you to books about specific themes or challenges. 17. Encourage your child to read biographies as a way to envision the future. Children have a difficult time seeing beyond the present; learning about the childhoods of distinguished men and women can be inspirational. 18. Qualities teachers and parents use to motivate, inspire, and educate children: Passion, Enthusiasm, Adventure, Creativity, Reflection, Balance, Compassion, Resilience, Confidence, Humor, Common Sense, Appreciation.