3 Things To Avoid When Raising A Gifted Child

Having a gifted child can be a great honor. Many parents are proud of their gifted child and want to do everything that they can to make sure that they succeed. But having a child who is gifted can also be a challenge, and many parents may not know how to act or react to their gifted child. Here are some things you shouldn't do when raising your child.

1. Don't Treat Them Like An Adult

Just because your child is intellectually advanced doesn't mean that they are emotionally advanced. You might be amazed at how well they understand math and science, so you may give them responsibilities that are consistent with their intellectual level, rather than their age. This is dangerous. Many children who are gifted intellectually are still on the same level emotionally as their peers. You should still give them boundaries, allow them to play and be kids, and don't expect things from them that are beyond their emotional age.

Even if your child is a great negotiator or if they act like a teenager even if they are elementary aged, they need you to teach them how to behave. Thus, remember that you are the parent, not their peer.

2. Don't Withhold Praise

You might be worried that your gifted child will become conceited or difficult to be around if you let them know how talented they are. This is not the case. Although you shouldn't put them higher than other children, you can point out the things that they are good at. Gifted children may feel different than their peers, and it may be hard for them to see their own talents. Many children tend to be perfectionists and are hard on themselves. Having a parent who compliments their strengths and helps them work through their challenges will be most helpful.

3. Don't Over-Schedule Your Child

Lastly, you may be tempted to give your child a lot of extra curricular activities, put them in additional classes, and keep them busy throughout the day. Although they may be excelling, they need down time too. They need time to create, play, and be a kid. Thus, chose a couple activities that the child can do, and then make sure that there is a balance of free time for them to play and enjoy their childhood as well.

By doing these things parents can help their gifted child to succeed academically as well as emotionally. For more information, contact a company that specializes in gifted education.