Social and Emotional Needs of Gifted Individuals

Gifted children need to:

• Acknowledge and understand their gifts and talents

• Know that others may not be able to perform as well or as easily as they do – not to hold unrealistic expectations for others

• Know about the uncommon personal characteristics associated with and quite often supportive of their gifts and talents

• Accept and prize their differences

• See them as others see them – to be aware of negative sanctions that may be placed upon them

• Develop problem-solving skills that will enable them to deal with social problems, cope with complexities, and influence change

• Experience a sense of community – to contribute to group cohesiveness

• Explore ways in which they may work, play, and live with others

• Learn methods and techniques that will assist them in making their ideas, products, and selves accepted and valued by others

• Be humane persons, able to share, care, and support others

• Participate in planned programs of psychological education