Homeschooling Gifted Children – Tips from the Pros

Each week, I host a Hangout on Air via Google+. If you’re not familiar, a Hangout on Air is very similar to a live TV show.

Often, people create an event page where you can watch the Hangout on Air in real time (this is what I do). I do have all of the videos on one page, but each topic has its own unique highlights and links which I want you have easy access to.

Homeschooling Gifted Children - Tips from the Pros (Where to start, resources, strategies, and more!)

Homeschooling Gifted Children – Tips from the Pros

This past week’s Hangout was on a topic I just couldn’t wait to learn more about: Homeschooling Gifted Children. While educating gifted children is a joy, it also brings its own set of challenges.

The ideas and strategies in this Hangout were so helpful!

The panelists included:

Colleen Kessler from Raising Lifelong Learners
Renee Brown from Great Peace Academy
Cindy West from Our Journey Westward

You can watch the 30-minute Hangout here:

Here are a few highlights:

What are the signs of giftedness? How early is giftedness in a child recognized? Intensity, early reading, and many other characteristics are described in detail.
Intensity in Gifted Children – Does it affect all gifted children? What do you DO with all of that intensity?
Gifted children love to learn what they want, but don’t often care for other subjects – How do you teach the subjects they are uninterested (and unmotivated) in? Learn how “buy back time” as an incentive.
Friendships and gifted children – It’s often hard for gifted children to have friends because they can’t find others who can relate. Listen for strategies to help your child foster friendships.

Helpful Links for Homeschooling Your Gifted Children

If you’re a Pinterest fan, please follow along with me on this Homeschooling Gifted Children Pinterest Board:

These helpful posts were written by the panelists that participated in this Hangout:

Renee from Great Peace Academy has a detailed list of resources, guides, Pinterest Boards, and her own posts about homeschooling gifted children.

Colleen from Raising Lifelong Learners blogs extensively about gifted children. This post is a great look at determining qualities and characteristics of gifted children.

Colleen shares the one thing that she considers to be the most important thing you need to homeschool your gifted child.

Cindy West wrote Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners – “Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners covers everything from curriculum choices and learning styles, to integrating technology and online courses, to finding social support for both children and parents.”

Cindy shares a very detailed post on Project-Based Learning (think unit studies), which is a wonderful approach for gifted learners.

Gifted children often want to go off on rabbit trails. Cindy offers encouragement to not say ‘no!’ to those rabbit trails and offers a new perspective of why following those trails are beneficial.

More Resources for Homeschooling Gifted Children

Prufrock Press – Learning resources designed for gifted children
SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) – “SENG seeks to inform gifted individuals, their families, and the professionals who work with them, about the unique social and emotional needs of gifted persons.”
Hoagies’ Gifted Education – Resources, links, articles, and books to help parents and educators
The Critical Thinking Company – Educational books and software for children K-12.

Do you homeschool a gifted child? What strategies or tips do you have to pass along to other families?

Lauren Hill

Lauren Hill is a Christian mom to 5, ages 19 to 7. She homeschools her children in the classical education tradition and is currently in her 15th year of homeschool. She creates engaging worksheets and hands-on printable activities for Preschool and Elementary age children to supplement their daily studies.

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