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Grappling with Giftedness

How to cultivate and teach talented kids.

Intelligence
Identifying the 'Best' Program for Gifted Learners

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on August 30, 2020

Full-time in-person or a part-time "hybrid" teacher/online class? What about full-time virtual learning? Does it even matter? It does—and the possibilities need to be explored.

Full-time in-person or a part-time "hybrid" teacher/online class? What about full-time virtual learning? Does it even matter? It does—and the possibilities need to be explored.

Intelligence
Evaluating Gifted Programs: Four Essential Questions

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on March 15, 2015

Faced with options, trying to find the best "fit" for your gifted child? Here are some questions to consider--and at least one reason why it might not matter all that much.

Faced with options, trying to find the best "fit" for your gifted child? Here are some questions to consider--and at least one reason why it might not matter all that much.

Memory
How to Improve Your Memory Instantly: Part Two

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on March 3, 2014

A crash course in doubling, tripling your memory—the sky is the limit! Part two of "How to Improve Your Memory, Instantly." Go ahead, impress yourself with your own giftedness.

A crash course in doubling, tripling your memory—the sky is the limit! Part two of "How to Improve Your Memory, Instantly." Go ahead, impress yourself with your own giftedness.

Intelligence
Are You From My Planet? Why the Gifted May Seem Goofy

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on November 25, 2013

What is a teacher (or parent, co-worker, peer, etc.) to do when a gifted individual asks a question that seems utterly, well,… nonsensical? A question that makes him look—not so much uninformed or even innocent, per se—but rather “scattered” instead of “gifted.”

What is a teacher (or parent, co-worker, peer, etc.) to do when a gifted individual asks a question that seems utterly, well,… nonsensical? A question that makes him look—not so much uninformed or even innocent, per se—but rather “scattered” instead of “gifted.”

Intelligence
The Curious Case of the Gullible Gifted

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on November 2, 2013

Why would those who are intellectually advanced seem to be less than so at times? No so fast. What you perceive as a lack of critical thinking could be, in truth, quite the opposite.

Why would those who are intellectually advanced seem to be less than so at times? No so fast. What you perceive as a lack of critical thinking could be, in truth, quite the opposite.

Intelligence
Appealing Your Child's Gifted Placement Decision

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on June 20, 2013

You really have to remember only one truth here: It is your right to appeal this decision. It is not antagonistic of you to do so, and it is not a waste of anyone’s time to demand it.

You really have to remember only one truth here: It is your right to appeal this decision. It is not antagonistic of you to do so, and it is not a waste of anyone’s time to demand it.

Intelligence
The Dilemma:The Young Gifted and (Lack of) Fine Motor Skills

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on April 29, 2013

For the parents of the very young and gifted, this is indeed a tricky time of childhood to navigate: his mind and brain is ready and eager to explore and express itself but often his physical abilities to do so are limited. But there are ways to help your child express his full potential. Let's get to it.

For the parents of the very young and gifted, this is indeed a tricky time of childhood to navigate: his mind and brain is ready and eager to explore and express itself but often his physical abilities to do so are limited. But there are ways to help your child express his full potential. Let's get to it.

Intelligence
Giftedness and Boredom, Part Two: Tackling the Issue Head On

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on March 25, 2013

When boredom becomes a stagnant source of negativity that kills a child’s interest in learning and when that boredom is the result of poor curricular decisions, it needs to be addressed. Let's do it.

When boredom becomes a stagnant source of negativity that kills a child’s interest in learning and when that boredom is the result of poor curricular decisions, it needs to be addressed. Let's do it.

Intelligence
Giftedness and Classroom Boredom: Maybe It's Not All Bad

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on March 11, 2013

Michaelangelo is credited with commenting that, “If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all.” Persevering against boredom in the very face of that boredom is what builds tenacity, skill, and the patience to solve long-term problems.

Michaelangelo is credited with commenting that, “If people knew how hard I had to work to gain my mastery, it would not seem so wonderful at all.” Persevering against boredom in the very face of that boredom is what builds tenacity, skill, and the patience to solve long-term problems.

Intelligence
Sorry, But... Your Exceptional Child Might Not Be "Gifted"

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on February 24, 2013

I have had this conversation, or similar ones, many times over. Once we finally get there, at the heart of it all, will lie two central debate points. One is the age old question of Nature versus Nurture. The other will focus on how we ultimately define and assess the quality of “gifted-ness.”

I have had this conversation, or similar ones, many times over. Once we finally get there, at the heart of it all, will lie two central debate points. One is the age old question of Nature versus Nurture. The other will focus on how we ultimately define and assess the quality of “gifted-ness.”

Intelligence
When It's Time to Cut Your Gifted Child Some Slack

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on February 4, 2013

Giftedness does not exempt that individual from going through the same behavioral developmental stages and benchmarks that any other person must inevitably go through.

Giftedness does not exempt that individual from going through the same behavioral developmental stages and benchmarks that any other person must inevitably go through.

Intelligence
Great Gift Ideas for the Gifted

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on December 9, 2012

Here are some kid-tested and educator-approved ideas that will delight and challenge any gifted child. Cheers to the holidays!

Here are some kid-tested and educator-approved ideas that will delight and challenge any gifted child. Cheers to the holidays!

Intelligence
Why Your Gifted Teen May Act Anything But Gifted

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on November 25, 2012

From crazy pranks posted proudly on YouTube to downright dangerous driving decisions.... Why does your gifted teenager make such foolish choices at times? Maybe it's not entirely his fault....

From crazy pranks posted proudly on YouTube to downright dangerous driving decisions.... Why does your gifted teenager make such foolish choices at times? Maybe it's not entirely his fault....

Fantasies
Brain Basics, Part One: The Power of Visualization

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on November 4, 2012

We, as teachers and parents, are at a pivotal point in time now wherein the apexes of both educational theory and brain research just might overlap. Making use of these understandings, that is actually “applying the science to the art” of teaching and parenting, is what will, in the end, help our children be able to take the next grand steps on their own.

We, as teachers and parents, are at a pivotal point in time now wherein the apexes of both educational theory and brain research just might overlap. Making use of these understandings, that is actually “applying the science to the art” of teaching and parenting, is what will, in the end, help our children be able to take the next grand steps on their own.

Intelligence
The Highly Distracted Gifted Child: You Can Help

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on October 21, 2012

Some gifted children have an official ADD or ADHD diagnosis, yes, but many others may not—despite the fact that they may be equally affected, even in some cases debilitated, by the problems of chronic distractibility.

Some gifted children have an official ADD or ADHD diagnosis, yes, but many others may not—despite the fact that they may be equally affected, even in some cases debilitated, by the problems of chronic distractibility.

Intelligence
Parents of the Gifted...You Need to Slow Down!

Christopher Taibbi M.A.T. on October 7, 2012

Filling a child’s schedule to the hilt is what many parents perceive as an act of love and unconditional support of his/her talents. But while the intention is pure, the results and the effects of that can be exhausting and possibly even counter-productive.

Filling a child’s schedule to the hilt is what many parents perceive as an act of love and unconditional support of his/her talents. But while the intention is pure, the results and the effects of that can be exhausting and possibly even counter-productive.