Determinants of Guidance within the Home

Abstract

The challenge of guiding potentially gifted children toward the healthy realization and utilization of their gifts and talents belongs to all significant adults within their environment. Passow (1981) talks of four curricula of the gifted and talented which comprise a complete learning environment. The influence of parents falls within what Passow labels the “nonschool educative settings curriculum” (1981, p.6). The importance of parental awareness, understanding and support throughout the youngster's growing years must not be undervalued. Parents of the intellectually or creatively precocious child of preschool years may feel especially frustrated by the suddenness with which they find themselves in an “educator” role.