Page 29 - FWG_Issue 6_2022

Today’s Child

my classroom through my writing. I want to reach parents who are The wisdom guides them to engage respectfully, be open to other
raising gifted children and struggling to find an ally when raising a opinions, and feel that a healthy debate is safe.
challenging, misunderstood child. Many parents are dealing with
the challenges and haven’t yet discovered that their child is gifted Gifted kids want to learn actively – not just be bombarded with
because it is so much more complex than many realise. meaningless information. They want to theorise, question, and go
down the rabbit hole.
So, my writing is for the moms and dads (and teachers) of the
children that many may think are just that little bit odd. Those who Q: What are some of the challenges faced by gifted kids?
feel that no one understands their child, or can’t understand why NK: One of the biggest challenges is that they are often
their children become so overstimulated, are incredibly justice- overwhelmed by anxiety. They overthink everything and can be in
driven and despise school because they are just so bored. a perpetual state of panic as a result.

Q: Are you a gifted education specialist? The anxiety can lead to poor performance at school for many
NK: I am not a doctor or a psychologist – I am just a mom and a reasons. Sometimes the child ‘who just refuses to do the work’ is
teacher. So, my writings are based on my experiences, and not such a perfectionist that the fear that it won’t be perfect paralyzes
clinical trials or academic research – but what I know, I learnt on the them – so they just don’t bother.
ground. That is where I believe the magic happens. So yes, I believe
that my experience does make me a specialist. They also loathe repetition – for them, it is soul-destroying.
When faced with twenty long division problems, there is a strong
Q: What is the one thing you wish everyone knew about gifted possibility that they won’t bother even if they could easily do
kids? them if they wanted to. This is often the root of poor academic
NK: Being gifted does not necessarily make a child an academic. performance – boredom, and disinterest.
Bright children are often academic and know all the answers, but
the gifted child is the one who asks all the questions. They can be When your brain works in hyperdrive, it goes beyond
bored or overwhelmed by a cut-and-dried curriculum, and their intelligence. Gifted kids have heightened senses that can easily
giftedness becomes apparent when you delve into their insight, be overwhelmed. Bright lights, noises, and a scratchy shirt can
their thirst for knowledge (not just facts, but the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of lead to a severe sensory overload.
everything), and their deep sensitivity.
Q: So in conclusion . . .
Q: Why do so many parents/teachers become frustrated with NK: My goal is to teach the world about these incredible little humans
gifted kids? who are so often misunderstood. I want to be their voice and their
NK: It is a paradigm shift for parents and teachers to be open to advocate. And I want to reach their parents and families. As a mother
debate and accept that a child can know more than they do. But of a gifted child and having worked with parents for many years, I
gifted children just want an opportunity to be heard and to express realise how challenging it can be, especially when dealing with anxiety,
their views. In addition, gifted children are incredibly justice-driven overexcitabilities, insomnia, and social challenges. Moms and dads
and will act out if they believe they are being treated unfairly. need as much support and understanding as their children do.

As a parent or teacher, you need to realise that the child may well Look out for more from Nicola in forthcoming editions of the
be more intelligent in some areas, but they rely on us for wisdom. magazine.

Fourways Gardens • 27 • July 2022