GAM 2024 Conference (Gifted Association of Missouri)

While some gifted students sail through school with few to no academic problems, others struggle to be engaged with school.  Sadly, as gifted students travel through their academic careers, school motivation often decreases.  Maintaining and building motivation can be challenging in both the regular classroom (where student achievement levels might span seven years) and in gifted programming (where student strengths can be remarkably diverse).  Fortunately, motivation is not a fixed trait; it is malleable and can be cultivated.  To best help gifted students maximize enthusiasm for learning and academic drive, educators need to be familiar with this particular experience, understand the nuances of motivation, and employ strategies to nurture it.  Within this session, biopsychosocial development of gifted adolescents, mechanics of theories regarding motivation, classroom techniques to build associated skills, and general tips and pitfalls will be addressed, because being intellectually gifted, in and of itself, does not guarantee life success.  

Dabrowski's Overexcitabilities theory establishes a profound link with traits commonly found in gifted individuals. This session provides a thorough exploration of each Overexcitability, highlighting parallels between theory and the real-life experiences of gifted minds.

Moving beyond theory, practical insights are shared on creating conducive learning environments through thoughtful room setup, incorporating areas for physical exertion, calming corners, and comforting spaces. The focus is on understanding how the physical environment influences emotional well-being and concentration.

A significant emphasis is placed on teaching self-regulation skills. Recognizing the heightened emotions, intellect, and sensitivities of gifted students, the session explores strategies to navigate these aspects successfully. Educators and parents are equipped with specific tools to foster students' self-awareness and emotional regulation, including suggested routines and engaging activities.

Whether you're an educator refining your teaching approach, a parent navigating giftedness complexities, or an enthusiast intrigued by unique traits, this session delivers a holistic perspective. It's an opportunity to acquire theoretical knowledge and practical strategies seamlessly integrated into interactions with gifted learners, enriching their educational experience.

Sometimes perfectionism is necessary, required, and beneficial; sometimes perfectionism impairs decision making, progress, and communication.  Thus, we ought not eradicate perfectionism, but rather hone and channel it.  Adults can help gifted students struggling with maladaptive perfectionism decrease adverse thinking patterns and behaviors.  To do so, we must understand perfectionism, identify indicators of it, identify if it’s appropriate, decrease negative perfectionism, and promote positive perfectionism.  These themes are addressed in this session, along with strategies that can be implemented within the regular classroom, gifted classroom, and in the home, with the goal of helping these students become more balanced and adaptable.

According to the American Music Therapy Association, research on music therapy in special education shows strong connections for motor behavior, rhythm, recall memory, and retention of academic material, as well as enhancing mood, behavior, and attention to strengthen a student’s ability to interact and learn. See how our district used music therapy in our gifted program for all of these things, including using rhythm and therapy for mindful growth and healing. Attendees will be invited to participate in a sample of a music therapy session, as well as to ask questions about implementation and funding. 

Affective development is critical to healthy childhood growth and achievement. Gifted children begin to gain social and interpersonal awareness during early childhood and continue to develop relational skills throughout life. Studying psychological factors in concert with academic content can build awareness that translates to empathy, kindness, and consideration toward others. Learn practical, hands-on strategies for developing and differentiating social emotional literacy among gifted learners. 

Play is the purest expression of our humanity.  What is happening in our brain when we play? How can we incorporate more play into the lives of our gifted children?  And how can we get better at play as adults? Some say we are most alive when we play. Let's get better at it.