Q: When I ask my gifted child how school is each day, he almost always responds by saying this: “Really, really boring.” I’m not surprised. His math and reading skills are way above grade level, and I’m sure he just isn’t being challenged. But, making matters worse, we’re now getting … Read more
Q: All the other kids in my son’s class have a best friend or a group of close friends, but my boy always seems to be left out. He’s never invited to playdates or birthday parties, and nobody picks him as a partner for group projects. My heart is breaking … Read more
An Overview of Growth Mindset for Kids Kids develop a growth mindset, a term coined by Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, when they’re praised for their effort and not their intelligence and learn that they can grow their abilities over time. In a series of studies, Dweck and her colleagues … Read more
Q: My daughter has always loved going to school, but this year, something has changed. Many mornings, she complains about stomach aches, headaches or nausea. I’ve actually kept her home, thinking she was sick. But as soon as she knows she’s staying home, she perks up.On other mornings, she simply … Read more
Q: My daughter’s teacher seems like a lovely woman and, so far, we’ve had a good parent-teacher relationship. But now my daughter is complaining that her teacher hates her, that she never calls on her in class and that she clearly has a favorite student. How can I broach this … Read more
Q: Whether it’s a test at school or a new step at dance class, my daughter doesn’t think she can do anything well. She always seems to be spiraling down into this pit of negative thinking, and it’s preventing her from accomplishing or finishing just about anything. There are a … Read more
Q: My daughter can’t make a decision to save her life. When she was picking out a new shirt at the store, she had a meltdown because she couldn’t decide between red or blue. Every time we’re at a restaurant, if we let her, she’d take 30 minutes to decide … Read more
Q: My son can be such an angry kid. When just about anything doesn’t go his way, he gets so upset and frustrated. He starts yelling and has a really hard time settling down. And his anger erupts over some of the most mundane things—a sandwich that’s a little “mushy” … Read more
Q: Our gifted child easily breaks down at even the smallest problems. And when he’s stressed out because of worries about a new homework assignment or anticipation about a big soccer tournament, he’s a wreck, even explosive, when he interacts with us or his siblings. How can we help him … Read more