There are numerous ways to encourage your child mentally and socially. It is important to stimulate your child whether they are gifted or not. This will also give the parents an opportunity to access the growth and level of advancement that their child is at.
Here are a few helpful ideas of activities you can participate with your child.
o Reading. Sitting with your child and reading books out loud, even if they can read, is a great way to encourage them of the love of reading. This is also an opportunity to spend quality time with your child. It also is good for them to hear the different inflections of your voice while reading.
o Discover. Learn what stimulates your child’s interests and imagination. Spend time exposing them to a variety of diverse interests. Go for a walk and discover the veins in leaves, how many legs do ants have, and so forth. Cultivate their curiosity. Include extending family in the discovery process. Grandparents, aunts and uncles offer a different perspective on life, things, and wisdom they have to impart is good for the child.
o Responsibility. It is valuable to your child to learn responsibility as soon as they are able to understand it. Help them develop a good work ethic and healthy work habits. Your gifted child should be expected to complete any tasks that are asked of any other children. Do not give preferential treatment, because it will lead to animosity between children.
o Diversity. In the world in which we live, your child will encounter many different cultures. It is imperative that they be kind, considerate, and learn to embrace each other’s differences. Children model their parents. They are always watching, and how you respond to people of various backgrounds is very likely how they will respond. Set a good example.
o Appropriate. Always encourage tasks that are age appropriate. You have a gifted child, but they are still a child and need to be treated as such.