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Celebrating Grandparents Day
September 11, 2005
Families of Gifted Children Especially Grateful for Grandparents
For a printable version of this release, please click here.
August 2005 -  Grandparents and all the ways they enrich our lives and our community will be recognized and honored on September 11, "National Grandparents Day." Families of gifted children will be especially eager to honor the grandparents in their lives for all their contributions. As many families of gifted children have learned -- from emotional support to financial assistance, grandparents are proving to be the best resource a gifted child can hope for. Dr. James T. Webb, psychologist and author of the book, Grandparents' Guide to Gifted Children, has noted the importance of grandparents not only in mentoring gifted children, but also in initial recognition of a child’s gifted behavior before parents or teachers.
"As many as half of all gifted and talented children are not recognized by parents or teachers as having high potential," says Webb. "Parents tend to underestimate their child's abilities. Grandparents, who have lived longer and have more perspective, often recognize giftedness before parents do." As a grandparent, you can help your gifted grandchild in a number of ways: - Take time to engage your grandchild in special activities that will encourage the development of their talents. Visit a museum or attend a concert together.
- Help your grandchild with homework or school projects.
- If parents are financially strapped, offer to pay, or to help pay for after-school programs or extracurricular activities such as music lessons or tutoring.
- Offer your undivided attention. If your grandchild lives too far away for frequent visits, be sure to phone and write whenever possible. Encourage them in their intellectual and cultural pursuits.
Above all, offer your gifted grandchild your unconditional love and support. The emotional stress and educational demands placed on gifted children can take a toll, and the patient love and understanding of a grandparent can make all the difference. Consult the Grandparents' Guide to Gifted Children for detailed information on nurturing your talented and gifted grandchildren including: early signs of giftedness; special needs of gifted children; areas of concern; unique roles of grandparents; building a bond with a grandchild; maximizing grandparenting; and education plans and financing education.
Grandparents' Guide to Gifted Children is available nationally in bookstores and online.
By James T. Webb, Ph.D.; Janet L. Gore, M.Ed.; Frances A. Karnes, Ph.D.; and A. Stephen McDaniel, J.D., A.E.P., E.P.L.S $24.95 Large Print $19.95 Paperback
http://bookflash.com/media_kit/great_potential/grandparents_guide/
Publicity
Great Potential Press
(602) 954-4200
helen@giftedbooks.com
http://www.giftedbooks.com
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