A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children (Paperback)

by James T. Webb (Author), Janet L. Gore (Author), Edward R. Amend (Author), Arlene R. DeVries (Author) "Ten-year-old Ethan contentedly solves another of his seemingly endless supply of math puzzles, which he enjoys doing to challenge himself and others..." (more)
Key Phrases: expectant praise, gifted traits, educational fit, Parent's Guide, Asperger's Disorder, The Key (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"(A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children) is filled with strong and specific advice that parents of gifted kids will certainly take to heart. (It) offers a comprehensive analysis of what it takes to parent a gifted child." -- Jim Delisle, Ph.D., Professor of Gifted Education, Kent State University

"...an invaluable guide for parents, grandparents, and others who love a gifted child. At 400 pages, it is not as long as the manual for a home computer, but much more important and far more interesting." --Raymond D. Fowler, Ph.D., Former President & Chief Executive Officer, American Psychological Association

"A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children is an outstanding resource to help you understand the gifted child in your life... (It's) truly an extraordinary parenting book. It satisfies a parent's quest for solid information and practical advice on managing social, emotional, and cognitive issues like no other text. This book should be required reading for all parents." -- Cassie Peterson, Parenting for High Potential Magazine

"Ever wish you had a manual for that extraordinary, perplexing child of yours? Take heart, a new book, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children... This helpful guide consisely explains the complexities of gifted children, addresses the challenges they face, and details practical strategies for parents to support their gifted children in all aspects of their lives.

"With this guidebook at the ready, parents will be able to recognize their children's unique strengths and vulnerabilities; nurture their abilities; and establish the skills they will need for gratifying life experience." (View complete review at -- Bobbie Collins-Perry, Duke Gifted Letter

"Heretofore, there has not been such a wonderfully insightful, fascinating, and comprehensive guidebook as this one. A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children will undoubtedly become a 'must read' for all adults who are confronted with the day-to-day challenges inherent to bringing up a gifted child." --F. Richard Olenchak, Ph.D., P.C., Director & Psychologist, Urban Talent Research Institute, University of Houston & Past-President, National Association for Gifted Children

"I am impressed. First, it is easy to follow and a good read. Second, the information is wonderful! Third, you feel like you are just talking and listening to a friend. Excellent book!" -- Judi Conrad, President, Progressive Solutions, Inc.

"It was a real delight to encounter this work that provides both professionals and parents with guidance, insights and courses of action in providing the gifted children and adolescents with optimum growth experiences. The authors are a savvy and experienced group who have presented an outstanding work that is at once rich in the history and research on the gifted, balanced by practical guidelines extremely valuable to every reader...This work is most valuable, a very worthwhile addition to your library, one to recommend..." -- Robert V. Heckel, PhD, ABPP, Feedback Magazine

"Parents of gifted children are often surprised to discover that there are few sources of information they can turn to for advice and support...A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children is a welcome source for questions that parents of gifted children have... this book is a practical guide that offers both reassurance and resources. The tone is conversational and includes many real life examples while simultaneously citing the research that underlies the text." -- Judith Smith, Gifted Education Communicator

"Parents who are just starting out on their journey of parenting a gifted child will find this book reassuring and informative. However, even parents who are familiar with giftedness and its surrounding issues will find this book useful. It makes a wonderful reference book that parents can get out when they need it...

"When parents first learn that their child is gifted, they may feel overwhelmed and unsure. The tone and language the authors use is both comforting and reassuring. Although the authors often refer to research, their discussions are clear and don't require any previous knowledge of giftedness, yet those who do have some knowledge of giftedness will still find plenty of useful information.

"The one drawback to the book is that it does not have much discussion on profoundly gifted children. However, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children is still one of the best books available on parenting gifted children. I truly wish this book had been available when my child was young." -- Carol Bainbridge, About.com

"The vignettes about children are so real that the reader is instantly familiar with the situation. This reference is a 'must have' for parents who face the day-to-day challenge of nurturing a gifted child. The authors distinguish between 'valuing a child for his/her achievements and valuing a child because he/she is worthwhile.' This is the most fundamental step in raising a gifted child. Just as adults are not all alike, our children do not respond to 'one size fits all' treatment. Learning how to see your child and how to teach them to cope with differences is truly a parental challenge." -- Sheila Smith, District Coordinator, Gifted/Talented Programs, Los Angeles Unified School District

"This book is akin to having a staff of specialists on-call in your bookcase. As long as a parent is a motivated reader/researcher, this book is worth its weight in gold. Along with providing answers, I think it will help a parent focus her questions in order to learn what she needs to know from the individuals working with her child." -- iParenting Media Awards' Reviewer

"This book is destined to become the classic guide for parents of gifted children. The key topics covered are essential ones, and this book provides much wisdom and new information." --Jan Davidson, Ph.D., Co-founder, Davidson Institute for Talent Development & co-author of Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting Our Brightest Minds

"This is THE book that every parent of advanced learners and clinicians who work with them must have! ...I have recommended it as a key resource to colleagues who specialize in gifted education." -- Paula J. Hillmann, Ph.D., Educational Psychologist and Executive Director, Advanced Learning Resources, LTD, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Product Description
Raising a gifted child is both a joy and a challenge, yet parents of gifted children have few resources for reliable parenting information. The four authors, who have decades of professional experience with gifted children and their families, provide practical guidance in areas such as: Characteristics of gifted children; Peer relations; Sibling issues; Motivation & underachievement; Discipline issues; Intensity & stress; Depression & unhappiness; Educational planning; Parenting concerns; Finding professional help; and much, much more!

Product Details

• Paperback: 415 pages
• Publisher: Great Potential Press (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0910707529
• ISBN-13: 978-0910707527
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #114,567 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children FIRST!, May 8, 2007

By	Carolyn K. "Mrs. Hoagie" (Hoagies' Gifted Education Page) - See all my reviews

I've said good things about books in the past, and I stand by all my reviews. But if I could rate one book with 6 stars (out of 5) this would be the one. A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children is THE book that all parents of gifted children should read first. And I mean ALL parents, from parents of moderately gifted kids, to parents of exceptionally / profoundly gifted kids, and twice exceptional gifted kids, too.

A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children begins with the basics: terms and definitions, and characteristics of giftedness, from those typical characteristics we all know, to the gifted child's unique Overexcitabilities and potential strengths disguised as weaknesses. Next, Webb and friends discuss communication, an important factor both in parenting and educating the gifted child. Their great ideas are good not only for parents communicating with gifted kids, but also for parents communicating with educators, and parents teaching their gifted kids how to communicate effectively. Even gifted kids need to learn the strength of communication!

Motivation and underachievement are complex with gifted children. Webb et. Al. offer valuable insights into the causes and differences between the two. They move next to establishing discipline and teaching self-management - these are two things we often assume our gifted children can do for themselves, but like any other child, they need our guidance and support. As parents, we need to remember that no matter how smart they our, our gifted children are still children, and we are the adults, with adult experience and wisdom. And Webb and friends give us respectful ways to accomplish this.

Continuing with chapters on intensity and perfectionism, idealism and depression, and acquaintances, friends and peers, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children moves into a challenging subject: twice exceptional children. If after reading this chapter, you need more information on these amazing and frustrating gifted kids, read an entire book on the subject: Misdiagnosis And Dual Diagnoses Of Gifted Children And Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, And Other Disorders.

A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children concludes with valuable information on the gifted child in school, including gifted identification and educational 'fit' for the gifted child. This educational 'fit' is what parents of the gifted child are searching for, and Webb offers great ideas on how to find it. And if you need help, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children offers suggestions for seeking good professional help - not all professionals are created equal.

All in all, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children is the single book you need to get started as the parent of a gifted child. Every parent should read this book!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Refer Back to This Book Again and Again, March 13, 2007

By	Shelley - See all my reviews

This book is worth owning--it is a valuable and comprehensive parenting resource that you will refer back to again and again. I especially liked the practical advice and usable suggestions offered in this book, as well as the references to other useful books, websites, and organizations. My favorite feature is the emphasis throughout on managing social/emotional issues that arise in parenting gifted children. The authors suggest effective phrases to use in speaking with your children about challenging situations, and they also suggest phrases to avoid (and why!). Very helpful! There is no other book that I know of that addresses these important issues (including motivation, discipline, perfectionism, and how to find the right educational fit) with so much clear-cut, common-sense, practical advice and information. I am a parent of gifted children, a board member of my state's gifted association, and founder and president of a local gifted parent support group. I talk with many parents and I have suggested this book to numerous people, all of whom have been grateful and have found the answers they were looking for.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VERY comprehensive! , July 5, 2007

By	Lorel Shea "gifted ed editor at bellaonline.com" (New England) - See all my reviews

This is by far the most comprehensive book about gifted children that I have seen. It covers a broad range of topics, yet still manages to be quite detailed and "meaty". An entire 19 page chapter is devoted to the characteristics of gifted children. In addition to the usual checklist, the chapter also looks at Dabrowski's overexcitabilities, the gifted child's sense of humor, imagination, etc. The authors embrace an open and flexible definition of giftedness, and offer alternatives to the "one test" model of selection.

A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children is a guidebook brimming full of practical suggestions on how to raise a gifted child. If you buy just one book on gifted children, this should be it. I recommend it to both veteran "gifted parents" and those with young children who are just starting to explore the world of giftedness. Whether your child is moderately, highly, or profoundly gifted, this book will have meaningful information and helpful suggestions for you.

Chapter five deals with establishing discipline and teaching self management, while chapter eight is all about acquaintances, friends, and peers. Chapter 11, complexities of successful parenting, features a list of six responsibilities for parents:

1.accept and appreciate the child's uniqueness
2.help the child like herself and relate well to others
3.help the child develop a relationship and sense of belonging within the family
4.nurture the development of values
5.teach the child self-motivation, self-management, and self discipline
6.help the child discover his passions, and commit to letting him explore

This chapter also contains sensible advice on how to avoid parental pitfalls such as enmeshment, adultizing the gifted child, or over empowering the gifted child. Parents are encouraged to care for themselves and be sure that they are modeling healthy attitudes and behaviors.

If the inquisitive reader wants to explore further, the back of the book is filled with an impressive number of endnotes and references to published studies and other works pertaining to child development and giftedness. The authors, Webb, Gore, Amend, and DeVries, are all well respected members of the gifted education community. They have many years of combined experience as teachers, counselors, and parents of gifted children. Their collective wisdom shared here is a real treasure.