A Fresh Start for the New Year in Gifted Education
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we approach gifted education, both in the classroom and at home. For educators and parents, reimagining rigor means creating an environment that encourages students to think critically, creatively, and deeply. This approach isn’t just about increasing the workload—it’s about fostering engagement, curiosity, and the ability to solve problems in new and innovative ways. By rethinking how we design learning experiences, we can offer gifted learners opportunities to grow in ways that are both meaningful and fulfilling.
Foster Independence
Gifted learners often show a high level of intellectual curiosity and independence. Most packaged curricula or textbooks can be considered “encyclopedia” curricula; that is, they cover numerous topics at a very shallow level. To achieve depth in learning, teachers will need to create opportunities for gifted students to investigate authentic problems that require them to apply, analyze, evaluate, and create new ideas and solutions (Heacox & Cash, 2013, p. 24). Giving students more autonomy in their learning process can be incredibly motivating and helps them build important skills like self-regulation and time management. For educators, this could mean allowing students to pursue projects or assignments that align with their interests, or providing a menu of pre-selected options for completing assignments. For parents, fostering independence might look like helping children set personal goals or exploring a topic of interest outside of school.
Encourage Risk-Taking
One important aspect of gifted education is providing an environment where students feel safe to take risks, make mistakes, and innovate—important ingredients for authentic learning. A classroom and home culture that encourages trying new things can help build confidence in gifted learners.
In the classroom, educators can challenge students by offering tasks that push them outside their comfort zone, such as leading a small group or exploring a topic they know little about. For parents, this could involve encouraging children to try new activities or routines.
If students are unable to take risks, they severely compromise their potential for high achievement or strong leadership (Rimm et al., 2018, p. 352). By creating spaces for risk-taking (whether academic, social, or emotional) parents and educators can help students develop their unique strengths and talents.
Think Outside the Box
Rather than simply increasing the amount of work, gifted learners benefit from experiencing content in greater depth and complexity. This can be achieved by exploring topics from multiple perspectives, incorporating higher-order thinking skills, and diving deeper into themes rather than covering a broad range of topics at a surface level.
Educators can design learning experiences that encourage students to think critically and approach content from various angles. For example, a middle or high school teacher might ask students to analyze a historical event from the perspective of government leaders, citizens, and activists, promoting deeper analysis of complex issues. In a math lesson, an educator could challenge elementary students to explore multiple strategies for solving a problem, such as using addition, subtraction, and multiplication to understand the same concept, encouraging them to think flexibly about mathematical operations.
For parents, this might involve discussing complex topics at home or encouraging children to think about issues from multiple viewpoints—such as discussing how different students might feel in a situation where some children are excluded, or helping them think about possible solutions to conflicts they may encounter with their peers.
Provide Opportunities for Reflection
Finally, the new year is a perfect time for both educators and parents to encourage students to reflect on their growth. Reflection allows learners to assess what they’ve learned, set new goals, and understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
In the classroom, educators can implement regular reflection activities, such as journaling, self-assessments, or group discussions. At home, parents can encourage their children to think about their classroom experiences and set personal goals for the year ahead. Reflection not only deepens understanding but also fosters a growth mindset, which is important for long-term success as gifted adults.
Conclusion
As we embrace the new year, it’s important to remember that reimagining our approach to gifted learners isn’t about making things harder—it’s about making learning more meaningful and engaging. By offering opportunities for deep thinking, fostering risk-taking, and reflecting on our experiences, we can create an environment that supports the intellectual and emotional growth of gifted students.
Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, exploration, and challenge.
References
Heacox, D., & Cash, R. M. (2013). Differentiation for gifted learners: Going beyond the basics. Free Spirit Publishing.
Rimm, S. B., Siegle, D., & Davis, G. A. (2018). Education of the gifted and talented (7th ed.). Pearson.
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Note to Readers:
This article was originally published on the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG) website. You can find the original publication, along with other valuable resources for supporting gifted learners, by visiting this website.
