Social & Emotional Development – Page 3

Social & Emotional Development

Recognizing Social and Emotional Traits of Young Gifted Children

This article describes social and emotional traits of young gifted children, highlighting emotional and intellectual overexcitabilities. Through case examples, it explains how intensities and asynchronous development can cause challenges and offers strategies—acknowledging feelings, teaching coping skills, and supporting curiosity—to help children thrive at home and school.

Gregory K. Eckert and Keri M. Guilbault June 28, 2023

Education & Homeschooling

Combating Underachievement in Gifted Students Through Social-Emotional Training and Development

Gifted students may underperform despite high ability due to boredom, low self-esteem, or lack of support. Early identification and social-emotional interventions—trusting relationships, mentorship, empowerment, equitable programming, and bias removal—can restore engagement, resilience, and academic success for gifted learners and improve long-term wellbeing.

Mrs. Brianne Hudak, M. Ed. June 20, 2023

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

May Mental Health Awareness Month Wrap-Up

SENG’s May 2023 Mental Health Month featured 18 free virtual and in-person outreach events with partners. Highlights included mindfulness workshops, an international panel, student-produced media, webinars, podcasts, regional meetups, and several articles and resources addressing mental health for gifted and 2e learners.

The SENG Team. June 19, 2023

Adult Giftedness

Searching for Sacred

The author reflects on living as a gifted person, describing its grace and restless quest for sacred moments. Giftedness brings creative highs, impatience with the banal, and risky pursuits. Acceptance of this identity offers solace, purpose, and a framework to tolerate not-fitting-inness while seeking meaningful experiences.

Kristy Peloquin May 18, 2023

Over-excitabilities

Play in the Service of Growth: The Sailboat Metaphor

The author, a play therapist, describes using Kaufman’s sailboat metaphor as a StoryCraft with her children to explore safety and growth needs. Through building, painting and play, the activity revealed symbolic meanings, supported emotional embodiment and projection stages, and facilitated connection, exploration and therapeutic growth.

Katerina Tsomi, M.A., M.Sc. May 9, 2023

Adult Giftedness

Understanding Viewpoints Based on Dabrowski Levels — Inner Growth in Gifted Adults

Deborah Ruf examines how Baby Boomer upbringing and Dabrowski’s theory relate to gifted adults’ inner development. Some cope by “making the best of it,” others seek counseling. Case-study excerpts show persistent identity questioning, alienation, conflicts with authority, and the role of counseling in processing gifted-related struggles.

Deborah Ruf, Ph.D. April 25, 2023

Communication

Compassionate Communication; how do we practice?

The post argues compassion underpins effective communication and empathy, explaining mirror neurons’ role in social connection. It lists five practices—mindful listening, openness, self-focused phrasing, patience, and a 24-hour pause—to enhance empathetic communication and resolve conflicts peacefully.

Dr. Nicole Tetreault April 17, 2023

Miscellaneous

Developing False Mastery: The Siren Song of Video Games

Excessive gaming by gifted children often signals unmet academic, social, or emotional needs rather than addiction. Games offer clear feedback and mastery, so kids turn to them. Identifying underlying challenges lets adults foster growth, reduce reliance on games, set boundaries, and seek professional help when needed.

Mark Talaga April 4, 2023

Social & Emotional Development

Fail Fast Gifted Children: Parenting for Resilience

This article explains using a ‘fail fast’ approach to help gifted children build resilience. It recommends encouraging experimentation, setting realistic goals, reflecting on mistakes, and providing supportive adults. Allowing low-stakes failures helps children take risks, learn from setbacks, and develop coping strategies for future challenges.

Brandi Maynard March 29, 2023

Adult Giftedness

Gifted Baby Boomers, How They Were Raised, and How They Raised You

This article, drawn from a doctoral dissertation, examines Baby Boomers’ upbringing and how generational attitudes shaped gifted adults’ mental health, counseling uptake, and incidence of abuse. Using case studies, it discusses parental responses, counseling patterns, and implications for understanding gifted individuals across generations.

Deborah L. Ruf March 14, 2023

Category: Social & Emotional Development