The Gifted Learner: How to Help

The Gifted Learner: How to Help is a complete introduction into how to nurture high ability students. The book reveals how to unlock the potential of a gifted learner, so that their gift becomes a talent that is celebrated, enriching their life, and the lives of others.

Gifted children are often overlooked in education, as they are perceived to be high achieving. However, not all, have a consistent high ability, or achieve in all subjects. Some gifted learners can also have a learning difficulty and many are emotionally immature and need to be nurtured, holistically, at cognitive and emotional levels. This book shows how.

The book includes chapters on curiosity, creativity, boredom and perfectionism. There are nineteen case studies of individual learners, their parents and teachers, which provide real and authentic insights into recognising, understanding and supporting the Gifted Learner.

The Gifted Learner: How to Help is for parents and carers; early years practitioners, teachers, teaching assistants, educational psychologists, school senior management teams and other education professionals; support groups; youth workers, group leaders and others interested in the wellbeing and socio-emotional development of children and young people.

Table of Contents

Series Preface

About the Author

Author’s Preface

How to Use This Book

Part 1: Introduction

1. What is giftedness?
2. Why do gifted learners matter?
3. Models of giftedness
4. Testing and assessment

Ten key things to know about giftedness and gifted learners

Part 2: Learning characteristics

5. Curiosity

6. Problem-solving

7. Avid readers

8. Quick learners

Part 3: Creativity

9. Cognitive flexibility

10. Language usage

11. Creativity and imaginative expression

12. Sense of humour

Part 4: Motivation and leadership

13. Motivation and task commitment

14. Boredom

15. Competitiveness

16. Leadership

Part 5: Self-esteem and emotional development

17. Self-esteem and acceptance

18. Perfectionism

19. Over-excitability and intensity

20. Stress and anxiety

Part 6: Inclusion and curriculum provision

21 Under-achieving gifted learners

22. The twice-exceptional learner

23. Curriculum differentiation

24. Best practice to support gifted learners

Part 7: Conclusion

25. Summary

26. A last word to parents and carers

27. A last word to teachers and schools