Characteristics of Leap Thinkers

PEAK Parent Reception ~ September 23, 2014

Leap Thinkers …

Are curious Ask BIG questions Have wild imaginations Can store information in their

minds Know things without studying Use lots of words when

talking Love learning, but not

necessarily school stuff

Can think “out of the box” or fill the box up quickly

Can skip steps and still get the right answer

Love to build and invent things Can remember things in detail Use unusual words Can read difficult books Might worry a lot or cry easily;

have big emotions

Have you ever thought this about your PEAKster?

Do you ever slow down? You worry about everything! Can’t you just stick with one

thing? You’re so sensitive and dramatic! You’re so demanding! You’re so driven! Can’t you ever be satisfied?

Dabrowski’s Theory of Overexcitabilities Polish psychologist, Kasimierz Dabrowski Developed a theory that has helped us

understand the emotional make-up of the gifted

Passion and intensity cause the gifted to react, see, and feel things differently and more strongly….called overexcitabilities or OE’s

Can be thought of as an abundance of

physical, sensual, creative, intellectual, and/or emotional energy

OE #1Psychomotor (Physical) Surplus of physical energy and

movement Instead of walking they jump, hop, spin,

and twirl Fast talking/constant talking May interrupt or have difficult time

waiting turn to talk Sleeplessness due to a restless mind May have nervous habits Might be impulsive or act out

OE #1…PhysicalWhat can parents do?

Be sure there is time to burn off physical energy and/or chatter especially after school

Have them practice listening and remind them that being a friend involves listening too

Work on not interrupting

OE #2Sensual (Senses) Tactile sensitivity ~ Can be very

picky about clothing … socks, labels/tags, waist bands, etc.

May have many physical complaints … stomach aches, limping, etc.

Sensitive to smells, tastes, or textures of foods

May have a harsh reaction to loud sounds

Deep appreciation for beauty in writing, music, art or nature

OE #2 …SensesWhat can parents do?

Limit the stimuli Create a soothing and

calming environment Know that they are not

being “manipulative” about clothing or food

Make sure there is time to enjoy the senses

OE #3Imaginational (Creative) May day dream Remember dreams vividly and have

strong reactions to them May believe in magic and fantasy for

much longer than their peers (Santa Claus, the tooth fairy, elves, dragons, and unicorns)

May have trouble distinguishing imagination from reality

May have a vivid fantasy life which includes imaginary friends

OE #3 …CreativeWhat can parents do? Know this isn’t “lying” ~

Confusion of reality and fiction because memories and new ideas become blended in their minds.

Help them place a “stop sign” in their mind before they embellish.

OE #4Intellectual (Academic)

Love brain teasers, puzzles, and thinking games

Thrive on challenge and learning/love to think

Enjoy complex reasoning and problem solving

Take pleasure in discovering new information; avid reader

Ask probing (big) questions or many questions

Have adult concerns Might be impatient with others

OE #4 …AcademicWhat can parents do? Teach them to find the

answers themselves Help them act on their

concerns Teach tact in

questioning and patience with others

OE #5Emotional

Happier when happy, sadder when sad, angrier when angry, etc.

Feel extremes of complex emotions May feel inadequate or inferior May have difficulty adjusting to

change May feel deep connections with

some people or animals May have trouble finding friends who

measure up

OE #5 …EmotionalWhat can parents do? Accept the intense feelings.

Know that it’s not melodrama. It is honest emotion.

Teach them to watch for “early warning” symptoms and teach how to deal with them.

Practical Tips/Ideas

www.sengifted.orgSupporting the Emotional Needs of the GiftedBy Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

Bibliography Images from: www.google.com/search

giftedservices.com.au/children.html

Lind, Sharon; “Overexcitablity and the Gifted”; SENG newsletter,2001

Tolan, Stephanie; www.stephanietolan.com/dabrowskis.htm,

February 1999

Webb, James T. and others; A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children; Great Potential Press, Arizona, 2007