Affective Issues in Giftedness Addressing the Social-Emotional Needs of Gifted Learners Patti Wood, Ph.D. Samford University AFFECTIVE Issues

Giftedness as an Asset… Intrinsic motivation

Giftedness as an Asset… Better psychological health

Giftedness as an Asset… More independent

Giftedness as an Asset… Flexible

Do you have kids like this in your classroom?

What are your key concerns with your gifted learners?

Unwilling To Participate Reluctant to take risks

A Discomfort With Competition Fear of Failure Fear of Success

Defensive Disruptive Behavior

Peer Pressures Bullying

Unmotivated Defiant

Depression Isolation Withdrawal Feelings of…

Suicide Poor Self-Concept Stress

Asynchronous Development Minority status Low SES Family does not value education Hiding one’s talents Poor self esteem or self-concept Factors that Obscure Giftedness Twice- exceptional

Two Key Concerns underachievement perfectionism

The Underachievement of Gifted Students Underachievers are students who exhibit a severe discrepancy between expected achievement and actual achievement.

Do schools foster underachievement? Above Average Average Special Needs Below Average Gifted

Characteristics of Gifted Underachievers low self-esteem avoidance behavior defensive behavior rebellion

Characteristics of Gifted Underachievers deficient academic skills poor study habits peer problems poor concentration discipline problems

Underachievement: School Factors inappropriate curriculum negative interactions with teachers negative school environment inflexible schedule extrinsic motivation

Reversing Underachievement

Self-regulation strategies Parents Teacher or Mentor Out-of-school experiences Smallerstudent-teacherratio Having a confidant

Perfectionism: A Learned Behavior? Family pressure Self-pressure Social pressure Media pressure Unrealistic role models

Social-Emotional Needs of the Gifted: Counseling Strategies Affective curriculum implemented by teachers Reading and discussing self-help books Survival guides Collections of quotations Guides to parenting gifted children Bibliotherapy Cinematherapy Group counseling

Social Issues: Ten Common Criticisms of the Gifted 1. Why don’t you slow down? 2. You worry about everything. 3. Can’t you just stick with one thing? 4. You’re so sensitive and dramatic! 5. You have to do everything the hard way. 6. You’re so demanding. 7. Can’t you ever be satisfied? 8. You’re so driven. 9. Where do you get all those wild ideas? 10. Who do you think you are? (Jacobsen, Liberating Everyday Genius)

Make your own decisions and take your own initiative no matter what!

“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” Carl Jung