The Very Young and Gifted:

Susan RambeauVictoria B. Damiani, Ed.D., NCSP

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Center for Gifted Education.

What do they need?

Some Early Signs of Giftedness*Unusual alertness in infancyLess need for sleepLong attention spanHigh activity levelRecognizing caretakers earlyEarly language developmentCuriosityKeen powers of observation

Harrison, C. (2004). Giftedness in early childhood: The search for complexity and connection. Roeper Review, 26(2), 78-84; Silverman, L. K. (1993). Counseling families. In L. K. Silverman (Ed.), Counseling the gifted and talented. (pp., 151-178) Denver: Love.

Assessment OptionsIndividual tests of intellectual ability

Standardized achievement testsCurriculum-based assessmentRating scalesObservationsTrial experiences

Do NOT shy away from presenting complex or abstract

underlying themes.Examples:Telling Time Identifying MoneyTemperatureFractions

Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4), 271-276.

Base activities on the student’s interest.Responsibility

Intrinsic Motivation

Allow for more detail.Examples:

Higher Level BooksAdvanced Vocabulary In-depth PropsSimilarities and DifferencesGuest Speakers

Allow typical preschoolers to participate in some of the enrichment activities.

Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3), 28-30.

Allow for more detail in the different centers you have set up in the classroom.

Writing CenterScience CenterArts CenterManipulative CenterDramatic Play CenterReading CenterTechnology Center

Writing CenterHave an alphabet strip along with

common words located in the center so the student can begin to form sentences.

Make arrangements with a pen pal on their academic level.

Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and

resources. Roeper Review, 29(4), 271-276

Science CenterScrambled Animals

Dramatic Play CenterInclude props that allow for in-depth

scenarios during play.

Farmer, D. (1996). Parenting gifted preschoolers. Austega Web Site. http://austega.com/gifted/preschoolers.htm Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today,

22(3), 28-30.

Arts CenterIntroduce music appreciation.

Allow the students to play an instrument.

Introduce art appreciation.

Provide activities rather than crafts.

Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3), 28-30.

Manipulative CenterUnifex Cubes

Tangrams

24 Piece Puzzles

Optical Illusions

Mazes

Card and Board Games

Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3), 28-30.

Reading CenterInclude a variety of reading material.

Level of difficultyInterestsTypes

Picture BooksMagazines for KidsPoetry

Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4), 271-276.Imison, K. (1997). Teaching to foster talent development: Vignettes of gifted children in Australia. Gifted Child Today, 20(3), 24-28.

Technology Center

Practice Keyboarding

PowerPoint Presentation of completed work

Cukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4), 271-276.

Social and Emotional DomainFeelings of Awkwardness

Hidden Talents

Transporting Students

Cross-Age Activities

A Leader as well as a FollowerCukierkorn, J.R., Karnes, F.A., Manning, S.J., Houston, H., & Besnoy, K. (2007). Serving the preschool gifted child: Programming and resources. Roeper Review, 29(4), 271-276.

Sweeny, N. (1995). Gifted children have special needs too. Early Childhood News, 7(3), 11-13.

At Home IdeasTrips to the museum, theatre, as well

as traveling

Plan a party

Buying a Pet

Foster, S.M. (1993). Meeting the needs of gifted and talented preschoolers. Children Today, 22(3), 28-30.

Keep in MindGive it time

Be a co-learner

Keep complete and inclusive records

Devil’s advocate

Be patientHarrison, C. (2004).Giftedness in early childhood: The search for complexity and connection. Roeper Review,

26(2) 78-84. Imison, K. (1997). Teaching to foster talent development: Vignettes of gifted children in Australia. Gifted Child

Today, 20(3), 24-28.