Useful Links
Check out these New Zealand and international links to information, research, resources and ideas to support parents of gifted and talented learners.
For parents and whānau
Ministry of Education resources
Nurturing Gifted and Talented Children – A Parent-Teacher Partnership
This publication for parents and teachers of gifted children provides guidelines for identifying gifted children, and suggestions for meeting their needs and nurturing their gifts and talents. There is a section on partnerships with education and the support services available for families and educators.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/gifted/talented/parents/nurturing/index_e.php
Team-Up
Team-Up has information and guidance for families of gifted and talented students, including guidelines on identifying giftedness, suggestions for ways parents can support their child, advice on schooling, and useful links. There are separate sections for gifted and talented education found in each of the levels: Early Years, Primary/Intermediate, and Secondary.
http://www.teamup.co.nz
Providing for gifted and talented students in New Zealand schools
Read the report from the first comprehensive research into gifted education in New Zealand. From term 1 2005, the National Administration Guidelines require schools to identify their gifted and talented learners, and develop and implement teaching and learning strategies to address their needs. The report provides information on the range of identification methods and ways of providing challenging programmes for gifted learners.
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/gifted
Sharpening the Focus: Issue 9, June 2004 This issue of Sharpening the Focus outlines the support that is available for schools in addressing the needs of their gifted and talented students.
Gifted and Talented Students: Meeting Their Needs in New Zealand Schools
This handbook offers primary, intermediate and secondary schools guidance and direction in the development of policies and programmes for gifted and talented students.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/gifted/handbook/
Other useful links
The Gifted Education Centre
The Gifted Education Centre (formerly the George Parkyn Centre) is a New Zealand organisation that gives professional support to parents and teachers of gifted children, and to others involved in the education of these children. The organisation runs the programme for gifted children in many areas throughout New Zealand. In addition they run Gifted Online (GO), an online version of the One Day School programme for gifted children in small towns or rural areas, and Small Poppies for young gifted children.
http://www.georgeparkyncentre.org/
The Gifted Kids Programme
The Gifted Kids Programme website gives information and contact details of the schools that operate the 'a day a week' excellence in gifted education programme in Whangarei, Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington.
http://www.giftedkids.co.nz/
Bubble Dome
Bubble Dome develops resources to foster cross-curricula writing and thinking skills, including problem solving, thinking critically, and processing information. Bubble Dome also offers holiday and after-school extension workshops in the Auckland area.
http://www.bubbledome.co.nz
Holiday Seminars (NZ)
The Achieving Potential school holiday courses are held in Auckland for gifted students in years 4–6, and 7–10. The courses involve choices of workshops such as Language in the time of Chaucer, CSI games, and Be a TV Presenter.
http://www.holidayseminars.co.nz/
Out of Schools Provisions for Gifted and Talented Students
Refer to this page for ideas and information about programmes available outside the classroom to add to the wide range of learning opportunities offered to gifted students. The details of programmes are based on research conducted by Dr Tracy Riley (Massey University) in 2006–2007.
http://education.massey.ac.nz/massey/depart/education/online/
out-of-school-provisions-for-gifted-and-talented-students/
out-of-school-provisions-for-gifted-and-talented-students_home.cfm
Nexus Research Group – Gifted and Talented Students
The Nexus Research Group focuses on providing resources for those working with gifted and talented students. Includes information on identifying gifted children, the consequences of giftedness for the child, parents, and teachers, and strategies to assist.
http://www.nexusresearchgroup.com/gifted_kids/gifted.htm
Home Schooling
This page contains links to New Zealand and international sites with information about home schooling.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/gifted/special_topics/hs_e.php
Gifted Children with Learning Disabilities: A Paradox for Parents
An article by Sarah Macfarlane, outlining the identification and characteristics of gifted children with learning disabilities. Discusses issues in meeting the needs of these students in the New Zealand education system, issues facing the parents of these children, and the role of parents in supporting the education of these children.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/gifted/reading/theory/disabilities_e.php
Gifted Students with Disabilities
Students who have both special abilities and disabilities are often recognised only for their disabling condition. This article discusses the barriers faced by gifted students with disabilities and suggests ways to minimise the effects of a disabling condition. Also covers some specific areas of disability such as Asperger's Syndrome.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/gifted/disabilities/index_e.php
Māori Children with Special Abilities
An essay by Cecylia Rymarczyk Hyde discussing differences between Māori and Pākehā views of the concept of giftedness. Problems with identifying gifted Māori students are explored and positive actions towards resolving some of these problems are also suggested.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/gifted/reading/theory/maori-students_e.php
It Takes Two to Tango
A paper by Tracy L. Riley, PhD, about creating and maintaining positive partnerships between parents and teachers of gifted students.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/gifted/reading/confpapers/tango_e.php
International links
Davidson Institute
Explore the many articles and research reports on this US website for talent development. The articles are grouped into themes, and topics include developmental issues, schooling, identification, and parenting.
http://www.gt-cybersource.org/ReadArticleNew.aspx?NavID=2_2
Gifted Development Centre, USA
This is a portal for supporting parents, teachers, and advocacy groups for the gifted. It contains information about identification, assessment, counselling, learning styles, programmes, presentations, and resources for gifted children and adults.
http://www.gifteddevelopment.com/index.htm
Grandparents: What You (and maybe only you) Can Do to Support Your Grandchildren's Talent Development
This article is from the Center for Talent Development (US) and discusses ways in which grandparents and other family members can support gifted and talented children.
http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/resources/talentdevelopment/grandparents
Hoagies Gifted Education Page
A resource guide for the education of gifted children.
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/
Parenting a Gifted Child (US)
This Michigan site contains information about identifying gifted children, the characteristics of gifted children, including the Renzulli model, and teaching and parenting gifted children.
http://www.misd.net/Gifted/parenting.htm
SENG: Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
This US website is dedicated to the social and emotional needs of gifted people, and provides resources to help professionals and families foster environments of support.
http://www.sengifted.org/
Uniquely Gifted
This website provides a collection of resources for parents with children who are gifted and have special needs, and professionals who work with them.
http://www.uniquelygifted.org/intro.htm
For a list of useful links for students, go to the 'Support for students' key collection.