The Expressed Needs of Parents of Gifted Children

Abstract

In workshop situations, parents of gifted children sought assistance in three major areas. First, they desired to understand their children's development in terms of giftedness, intellectual ability, social-emotional factors and motivation. Second, they were anxious about school-related needs: allowing gifted children to proceed at their own pace and avoid the boredom of unchallenging work, teachers who felt threatened by outstanding children, and a parental desire to understand the school system and its organisation. Third, they searched for enrichment activities and resource materials over a wide range of interests. Overall they wanted reassurance that their youngsters, although gifted, were normal children.