In the author's work, parental anxiety is a strong predictor of children's anxiety. This means that if a child is faced with an anxious mother or father, the child will most likely experience anxiety. In addition to parental anxiety, he contends that there are parenting situations that may contribute to a child experiencing anxiety. Children's…

One of the most common questions the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) receives from parents is, "How should I advocate for my child in the classroom?" Dr. Joan Smutny first tackled this topic for "Parenting for High Potential" in 2002, but her practical, step-by-step approach is still very applicable today. Some…

Beliefs about intelligence can affect how children approach school work and perform. It is why some gifted children tackle challenges with excitement while others feel threatened by challenges and avoid them. The mindset beliefs influence how the child views ego, effort, and errors. Those with a fixed mindset believe that their potential has been…

In this, and in upcoming issues of "Parenting for High Potential," the author will take a creative approach as she focuses on ways to encourage and support gifted-level development. One letter at a time, she will share understandings and ideas for parents and teachers. In this article, she presents an A list to help parents become more…

Upstander parents look, listen, and take action on behalf of their children, going the extra mile to ensure their children get the education they need and deserve. For gifted Black students, this attention and advocacy can be essential to help them reach their full potential and overcome the social and psychological barriers confronting them at…

Whether or not it is conscious, parents, caregivers, and teachers are looking for indicators that a child is not "fitting in" with peers. In most cases, teachers and parents are looking for problems or learning difficulties that need to be addressed because the earlier a problem is discovered and diagnosed, the more likely an intervention or…

In this article, the author presents questions that can help parents determine: (1) whether or not their child's school has a special program for gifted and talented (GT) students; (2) how valid it is; and (3) whether or not it's appropriate for their high-potential child. Each question is direct, to the point, and intended to help parents find…