Kahlil Gibran’s poem ‘On Children’ inspires reflection on listening to gifted children and prioritizing emotional well-being over academic potential. A child’s metaphor of a kite illustrates the need to support their present emotions and growth, reminding parents to be present and value emotional health as foundational.
Norma Hafenstein emphasizes that supporting gifted children requires parents to acknowledge and nurture their own intensities, sensitivities, and perspectives. By caring for themselves—allowing emotions, channeling feelings into compassion, and sharing joy or standing in grief—parents model healthy behavior, giving children the gift of self-care.
Benjamin Franklin’s quote highlights that children learn by example: teach through action rather than words. Parents should nurture their own well-being, find balance, and model happiness so children can develop into well-adjusted, joyful individuals. This short reflection encourages caregivers to prioritize self-care and mindful parenting to foster emotional growth.
Parenting an asynchronous child resembles piecing together a 1,000-piece puzzle with missing pieces and no picture: a confusing, unending roller coaster that is exciting, challenging, and daunting. Appreciating the gap between cognitive ability and functional performance requires compassion, understanding, and individualized approaches to parenting and education.
Steve Curtis shares a simple path to success: persistence in a chosen area. Though not exceptional in looks or fame, he credits steady dedication to one interest for his achievements and encourages others to commit to their passions to realize significant results over time.
Bright, intensely sensitive and idealistic children and adults can envision possibilities but may suffer frustration, perfectionism, disillusionment and existential depression. Supportive relationships that offer understanding and nurturance help prevent isolation and foster their idealism, which is essential for creating a better world.
A reminder to recognize the child behind labels of giftedness: nurture their heart, mind, and spirit; celebrate their joy; protect them from detractors; support unconventional learning paths when needed; help them find true peers, teach respect for all, connect with supportive communities, and practice forgiveness.
Encourage and support gifted children’s complex thinking, sensitivity, perfectionism and intensity. Listen to them, validate their feelings, and offer guidance that emphasizes possibilities rather than limitations; nurture confidence through encouragement and opportunity so their idealism and abilities can bring fulfillment and resilience.
A brief reflection emphasizing that individual educators can profoundly influence a child’s life. When teachers understand how gifted students think, learn, and feel, they can foster acceptance and challenge, encouraging students to embrace opportunities and pursue growth. Be the person who changes a child’s world.
Success is knowing yourself: discovering strengths and virtues, focusing, setting goals and working toward them. It involves learning, listening, embracing new ideas, managing emotions, overcoming criticism and self-doubt, persevering with joy, improving continually, and contributing value to others — a continuous journey of renewal.
