12 Key Questions Parents of High-Ability Learners Can Ask Themselves: In What Ways....

by Joanne Foster, Ed.D.

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These 12 questions can help parents think about how they’re being supportive, how to proceed...

1. In what ways do I demonstrate that I am an active and attentive listener?
2. In what ways do I demonstrate resilience, perseverance, and a healthy perspective on the ups and downs of daily life?
3. In what ways do I pay attention to the different factors that could have an impact on my children’s cognitive, emotional, social, or behavioral development?
4. In what ways do I try to ensure that my children are appropriately challenged at school?
5. In what ways do I regularly seek information about high-level development?
6. In what ways do I expose my children to experiences that encourage play, exploration, sharing, communication, independence, and learning—in response to their abilities, interests, and needs?
7. In what ways do I foster my children’s social skills and emotional development?
8. In what ways do I advocate for the most appropriate academic opportunities (ones that suit domain-specific levels of advancement) for my children and others?
9. In what ways do I encourage my children to self-advocate for their own educational needs?
10.  In what ways do I collaborate with teachers, consultants, other parents, and members of the community to create robust and engaging learning environments?
11. In what ways do I encourage my children’s creative expression?
12.  In what ways do I celebrate my children’s successes with them?
    

Most importantly, parents can question their own assumptions, inferences, and perceptions. They can also explore how to strengthen their own support networks, how to look after themselves better, and how to continue strengthening the parent-child relationship.

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For more information, see the letter Q in ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids: Hundreds of Ways to Inspire Your Child. And, visit www.joannefoster.co

ABCs of Raising Smarter Kids
Written by Joanne Foster, Ed.D.
Illustrated by Christine Thammavongsa
Published by Gifted Unlimited, LLC. - Released July, 2019