challenges for gifted girls/gifted boys dr. barbara branch executive director california association...
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Challenges for Gifted Girls/Gifted Boys
Dr. Barbara BranchExecutive Director
California Association for the Gifted
Common Challenges
High intellect Perfectionism Asynchronous development Intensity Passion Curiosity
Challenges for Gifted Girls
A society that wastes female brilliance has made it the norm for gifted women to lead an average life, and gifted women have largely adapted to that norm.
Dr. Barbara Kerr
Statistics
Girls read, and count earlier than boys Girls earn higher grades in elementary
school Girls get the message early (by 3rd grade)
that academic prowess is not for girls Girls lose self-esteem as they get older
and try to fit into the social group Perfectionism, hopelessness, and
discouragement grow with age in girls
Lewis Terman
Statistics
2013 SAT Scores
College Board
Reading Math Writing Total
Female 494 499 493 1486
Male 499 531 482 1512
Dilemmas for Gifted Girls
Girls are not always encouraged to excel by their teachers, schools, and parents
Girls shy away from answering aloud and are reprimanded when they shout out
Dilemmas for Gifted Girls
Girls are encouraged not to ask questions
Girls’ talents and abilities are not always brought to their attention
Girls’ gifts and interests are not always encouraged
Dilemmas for Gifted Girls
Career choices vs. home responsibilities
Median annual income in 2012 Women $37,791 Men $49,398
Dilemmas for Gifted Girls
Among the fortune 500 companies -only 26 female CEOs (5.2%)
Median annual income in 2012 Women $37,791(76% of men's) Men $49,398
Challenges for Gifted Girls
Low self-esteem
Apathy, based on resignation or feeling of inferiority
Fear of taking risks
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
1. As parents, be coaches, not judges.Coaches o Encourageo Have high expectationso Praiseo Criticizeo Set limits
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
2. Emphasize intelligence, hard work, independence, sensitivity, and perseveranceo Deemphasize appearanceo Encourage relationships based on shared
interests
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
3. Set expectations as high for daughters as for sonso Expect post high school educationo The American Dream is real for women
too
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
4. Teach healthy competitiono Encourage the exhilaration of winningo Don’t always let girls wino Winning builds confidenceo Losing builds character and risk-taking
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
5. Don’t pressure girls to fit in sociallyo Help them understand their differences
and be comfortable with them, especially during adolescence
o Redirect them to positive activities they like (music, drama, sports, science, etc.)
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
6. Encourage girls to be involved in all-girl activities when it is more comfortableo Sometimes boys cause girls to lose
confidence
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
7. Read stories about successful womeno Such stories are inspiringo Help them be comfortable with math and
science by reading about successful women in math and science
o Teach spatial skills – not always a strength for girls
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
8. Give all your girls leadership opportunities regardless of their place in the familyo Give them responsibilitieso Give them your time aloneo Encourage leadership activities
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
9. Travel with girlso Encourage independent school tripso Travel inspires adventureo Travel provides enrichmento Children who have travelled are much
more worldly.
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
Ten Tips for Parents and Teachers
10. Be an Active Role Modelo Preserve time to talk about careerso Talk and listen dailyo Model career development through your
own work
Dr. Sylvia Rimm
For Educators
1. Do early identification (3.5 to7)2. Provide challenging curriculum3. Encourage selection of higher level
math and science4. Use multiple measures of ability and
achievement
Anita Gurian, PhD
For Educators
5. Encourage taking extra credit for success and recognize their own talents
6. Provide extra materials that recognize women’s accomplishments
Anita Gurian, PhD
For Parents
1. Foster relationships with gifted peers who share like interests
2. Provide role models of accomplished women
Anita Gurian, PhD
For Parents
3. Avoid sex-role stereotyping (Barbie’s computer)
4. Make sure fathers are involved in their daughters lives and decisions
Anita Gurian, PhD
Gifted Boys
Three Important Attributes
They are children, so they require nurturing
They require academic curricula and instruction appropriate to their abilities.
They require attention that balances cultural and familial expectations of males.
Gender Issues
Boys are more likely to underachieve in school. Encourage hard workPraise effortSet high expectations
Sylvia Rimm
Why boys turn in homework late
Boys are neurologically geared towards unsolved problems and challenges If they do not know they focus on it. If they already know it, they become
bored.
Julie Coates and William A. Draves
Gender Issues
Boys are more likely to have learning disabilities.Over diagnosed and mis-diagnosed
with ADHDAllow boys to moveAllow boys to do something else
while talking to them
Sylvia Rimm
Gender Issues
Boys are five times more likely to stutter
More boys are involved in violence and crimesMasculinity challenges
Sylvia Rimm
Gender Issues
Boys develop more slowly than girls Real challenges in middle school
Sylvia Rimm
Gender Issues
Boys are not as strong in verbal skills as girlsWe expect boys to be as verbal as
girls in school
Sylvia Rimm
Gender Issues
More boys struggle with handwritingSmart can be slow and thoughtfulProvide keyboarding
Sylvia Rimm
For Educators
Recognize the learning styles of boys
Give boys space and movement time
Use speaking and listening in teaching reading
For Educators
Use more technology Use less lecture and more spatial
and diagrammatic lessons Include books high in action
For Educators
Provide a variety of co-curricular activities to interest boys who are not athletes
Offer leadership training Provide mentors
For Parents
Family support is critical
Help boys explore many careers
Find mentors
For Parents
Be aware of boy’s sensitivities and intensities. Respect them but help them express their feelings in male ways.
Allow boys to explore their interests regardless of what society might think.
Questions
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