High Ability Parents

Parents play an essential role in the education of their children. Read about the WCSD parent organization (PIE).

In order for children to grow and develop their potiential intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically, they need the support of both parents and teachers. Parents can support their child's school experience in a variety of ways such as sharing an area of expertise, gathering resources, helping with special programs, assisting with service projects, and/or mentoring students. Each teacher can provide ideas for parent participation.

The following guidelines may be helpful in promoting student success.*

1. Appreciate your child for himself/herself, not intelligence or accomplishments.  Do not allow intelligence to substitute for social graces or family responsibilities. Encourage the child's empathy and social consciousness.
2. Allow your child to fail or at least be frustrated. In fact, try to ensure that some degree of failure is experienced in the preteen years. Admit your own failures and discuss them. Failures are part of the learning process. One of the traps of giftedness is perfectionism. The child needs to learn to cope with efforts and products that fall short of their own expectations.
3. Regard practice times and schoolwork as the occupation of the child--as vital and necessary as your own job. Schoolwork may be more challenging than it has been in the past. If it is not challenging, you need to meet with your child's teacher.
4. Encourage your child to read daily. Have the child get a library card and schedule regular trips to the library to pick out reading materials. Guide selections and encourage challenging, yet appropriate material.
5. Encourage your child to explore a variety of activities such as music, art, foreign language or a sport.
6. Involve yourself in your child's life and schooling.You might consider:

• • assisting with instructinal enrichment projects and academic competitions
  • participating in needs assessments
  • referring students for evaluation
  • participating in parent conferences, parent support meetings, or student presentations
  • serving as group leaders, mentors, or experts
  • serving as volunteers, resources, classroom speakers and partners in projects
  • serving on parent/educator advisory committees
  • serving as judges and audience for student presentations

^{*Adapted from "What Can a Parent Do? Mountford, Communicator, 9,1,1989}