On the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Children [Paperback]

Tracy L. Cross (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2000

On the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Children tackles important and timely issues dealing with the social and emotional needs of today's gifted children. Dr. Cross uses research data, cultural analysis, and personal insight to address the lived experiences of gifted students, how they cope with mixed messages in a constantly changing society, and how they manage their way through school and home. The book also contains a section outlining suggestions and ideas for guiding and supporting the development of gifted children. This concise, sensitive look at gifted children and their social and emotional world offers unique insights for both teachers and parents supporting these special children.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tracy L. Cross, Ph.D., is the George and Frances Ball Distinguished Professor of Gifted Studies at Ball State University and Editor of Gifted Child Quarterly.

Product Details

• Paperback: 103 pages
• Publisher: Prufrock Pr (October 1, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 1882664736
• ISBN-13: 978-1882664733
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,250,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Research + experience results in ideas & actions for today, April 3, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: On the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Children (Paperback)

A good book on a too often forgotten subject: the social and emotional lives of gifted children. Parents, teachers, and especially counselors of the gifted should all read this book, and perhaps begin to understand...

Tracy Cross brings together years of columns from Gifted Child Today, but instead of sounding "dated," these columns offer good ideas and actions for today. Research on the social and emotional aspects of giftedness is slim; Cross combines his knowledge of this research with experience, resulting in a readable, useful, look into these unique kids' lives.

Cross begins by examining beliefs about gifted children, and determining their needs... mostly the same as the needs of all children, but often forgotten in the concern for their giftedness. The mixed messages that gifted children receive from their peers, teachers, and other adults cause much of these children's confusion about their place in the world. Cross continues with relationships and communications, including an often misrepresented subject: suicide among the gifted. Solid ideas are enumerated for providing social and emotional support, right along with parenting, guidance, and educational support for gifted children. He finishes with a quick review of the history of gifted children in our society and a glimpse of the future, and what we need to do to get there.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Useless and overpriced, November 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: On the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Children (Paperback)

I was expecting this book to provide information on the social and emotional lives of gifted children, based on the title. Yet this skimpy book provided absolutely NO information or insights. The author states in the book that he believes there are no social/emotional differences between gifted and non-gifted children. The book is thrown together from disparate columns he had written for a magazine, including a disproportionate amount of information on teen suicide(because it is his specialty), even though he provides information that gifted teens have a suicide rate equal to or less than the overall teen population. A complete waste of time and money!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True and Clear, December 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: On the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Children (Paperback)

Cross states that there is not sufficient evidence in research to claim that gifted children have social and emotional needs that are qualitatively different or mutually exclusive of their non gifted peers. I knew at that point I would like the book. I have read to many articles and books on this subject in which authors claim unique social and emotional needs present in gifted children, but I am still searching for the evidence of their claims. Cross takes this on directly. He clarifies that the social and emotional needs of gifted children are functions of their talents and social interactions within their peer groups and communtities. Meaning that the social and emotional needs of gifted children are related to differences rather than giftedness. I found this a refreshing perspective, a perspective with which I as an educator can work. I have read other books and research articles by Cross, and I appreciate the fact that he wrote this one for parents and educators. The language is clear and accessible, but there is a profound sense of understanding resonating from his text. Cross contributes tremendous insight into understanding the lives of gifted children. I would recommend this book to all educators and particularly to parents of gifted children.