Social & Emotional Development – Page 5

Communication

Empowering Gifted Youth Who Feel Deeply About Global Issues

Co-produced World Hope Project connects gifted youth from around the globe to create videos addressing climate change, equity, mental health and community action. Virtual meetings foster collaboration, cultural exchange, and practical projects; the initiative inspires children and adults to adopt sustainable habits, advocate for change, and support youth-led solutions.

Tina Harlow, L.C.S.W. and Rosa Medina, M.A. June 15, 2021

Communication

Open Our Hearts to Inspiration

During a visit to Laguna Beach tide pools, a parent describes discovering a lone fish then a school of fish, which inspired her son to write a spontaneous short story. The post encourages parents to expose children to new experiences, as inspiration can arise unexpectedly and foster creativity.

Lin Lim, Ph.D. May 7, 2021

Over-excitabilities

Helping Them Climb: Gifted Kids in Therapy

Gifted children often experience intense, frequent, and long-lasting emotions that adults misunderstand. Therapists, teachers, and parents should listen, validate, and join their feelings rather than dismiss them. In the author’s case, supporting a grieving, angry teen led to productive action—an environmental club—and improved functioning.

Matthew J. Zakreski, PsyD. April 13, 2021

Communication

Many Gifted Children have a Difficult Time Making Friends

Tips for parents of gifted children who struggle socially, explaining that boredom and mismatched curriculum can cause disruptive behavior and social challenges. Offers five practical strategies — building problem-solving and independence, role-playing, using code words, reviewing friendship dynamics, and monitoring behavior — to foster social skills and confidence.

Caroline Maguire, M. Ed., PCC. April 13, 2021

Social & Emotional Development

Windows to the Heart: Parents and Parenting

This post outlines simple, daily ways parents and teachers can integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into children’s routines. Strategies include morning greetings, journaling, class meetings, art activities, responsibilities, problem-solving practice, collaboration, positive self-talk, mindfulness, and fostering a growth mindset to support resilience.

seng_derek March 11, 2021

Over-excitabilities

Voices from the Village: A Teaching Community Developing Identity for Gifted Readers

This article explains how picture books can help gifted children understand and embrace Dabrowski’s five overexcitabilities—intellectual, sensual, imaginational, psychomotor, and emotional. It offers strategies for parents and educators and curated children’s book lists to support each overexcitability and foster positive identity development.

Dr. Katie Coggin and Dr. Kim Freed. March 11, 2021

Misdiagnosis

Helping Them Climb: Optimizing Favorable Outcomes When Counseling the gifted

This article integrates child psychotherapy research and four evidence-based counseling principles for gifted students: use empirically supported interventions, emphasize the therapeutic alliance and clinical expertise, involve families, and progress-monitor outcomes. It advocates a strength-based focus and illustrates practice with a dialectical behavior therapy clinical case.

Steven Pfeiffer February 11, 2021

Miscellaneous

Supporting Musically Talented Children: Challenging Social and Emotional Roadblocks to Success

This article explores emotional challenges for musically talented children—boredom, perfectionism, performance anxiety, disappointment, social isolation and career uncertainty—and recommends family support, tailored instruction, ensemble participation, counseling when needed, and realistic guidance to sustain motivation and well-being.

seng_derek February 11, 2021

100 Words of Wisdom

100 Word of Wisdom: Amy Snapp

Gifted children often say “I’m fine,” but that can mask a need for support. Professionals working with gifted and twice-exceptional kids warn that abilities don’t negate the need for compassion, encouragement, and guidance—offering unconditional support helps them thrive despite outward appearances.

Amy Snapp August 5, 2019

Social & Emotional Development

Helping your Twice-Exceptional (2e) Child Build Frustration Tolerance

This article explains how parents can help twice-exceptional (2e) children build frustration tolerance by developing emotional self-awareness, encouraging healthy expression, teaching breathing and calming techniques, giving emotions a voice through journaling or naming, and mapping physical cues to interrupt escalation.

Day Sanchez April 29, 2019

Category: Social & Emotional Development