Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT and 5 p.m. PT in the U.S. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences and insights about gifted issues.
Welcome to Global Gifted and Talented Chat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented @TXGifted#TAGT ~ Thanks for joining us to chat about “Disciplining Smart Kids” #gtchat
I’m Lisa Conrad ~ moderator, advocate for gifted children, conference presenter, blogger and parent of 2 gifted adults from Pittsburgh, PA. Please take a minute to let us know who you are and from where you’re tweeting! #gtchat
Hey #gtchat! Been a while! It's Colin, Founder of @thinkLawUS where we teach critical thinking using Socratic strategies & tweeting from Phoenix as a former gt kid with lots of behavior issues. Excited to learn & share! #tagt#criticalthinking#rethinkDiscipline
Are you new to Twitter chats? We use the Q1/A1 format for #gtchat … Please remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation. This will make sure that other chat participants see your tweets.
Hey #gtchat! Been a while! It's Colin, Founder of @thinkLawUS where we teach critical thinking using Socratic strategies & tweeting from Phoenix as a former gt kid with lots of behavior issues. Excited to learn & share! #tagt#criticalthinking#rethinkDiscipline
Are you lurking to learn? Please say ‘hi’ and then view a livestream from Participate Learning at https://t.co/1zR97oWQw0 Enjoy the chat! All the resources and a summary of this chat will be posted later on our blog at https://t.co/BXpCBWEY56#gtchat
Welcome to Global Gifted and Talented Chat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented @TXGifted#TAGT ~ Thanks for joining us to chat about “Disciplining Smart Kids” #gtchat
Welcome to Global Gifted and Talented Chat Powered by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented @TXGifted#TAGT ~ Thanks for joining us to chat about “Disciplining Smart Kids” #gtchat
Our first question is coming up; let’s get ready to chat! Please preface your responses with A1 Excited to collaborate and share ideas with you today about disciplining smart kids. #gtchat
A1: The purpose of discipline is to give us sytems, structures, and habits to unleash our best selves. Of course, this means discipline should be a deeply personal and individual idea. And of course, that is very, very hard to do in practice in a school environment. #gtchat
A1) The purpose of discipline is usually to give training by positive/negative reinforcement which is expected to produce the desired character or behavior
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Jen, this is why I love this topic! Because we aren't just teaching, we are often developing permanent habits and tendencies towards rigid compliance without always realizing it in the spirit of teaching the "correct" way. #gtchat.
A1 As Jen @laughingatchaos said ... So often, discipline is confused with punishment which should not be the intent. Discipline should serve as a teachable moment.
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And it's so interesting Jo because of how often the "good" intention translates to raising kids who just want to make sure they don't get in trouble. #gtchat
#gtchat I agree. So often in the school setting, we get stuck at systems and structure and forget the "unleashing our best selves" part. Discipline is often stifling instead of liberating
This is an interesting point because as an educator/attorney, I often think of SO many acts we deem criminal today that are really social regulations (like office pools with $$$ involved). So punishment definitely plays a role in the big picture #gtchat
A2 My daughter had excellent points when she was confronted for bad behavior. She who would have made an excellent lawyer. "How to Avoid Arguing With Your Gifted Child" https://t.co/ppPZUQLp4G Have clear rules & consequences. #gtchat
A2 Gifted children can be a challenge to discipline. They are astute observers of others’ behavior and are ready to apply that knowledge to their own situation. #gtchat
A2: Gifted students sometimes have a hard time knowing when they are being a-holes to other people. Especially when they aren't clustered or grouped with other gifted kids. It can get real ugly. #gtchat
A2 Gifted children can be a challenge to discipline. They are astute observers of others’ behavior and are ready to apply that knowledge to their own situation. #gtchat
A2) When you get a gifted kid’s cognitive strengths on your side, they can be allies in their own development beyond mere rule following. Can have faster learning when they understand the reasons behind systems. #gtchat
Ha! Every time I was sent to the principal's office and subsequently to the Guidance Counselor in high school ... I was told the same thing! #gtchat#stillnotalawyer
A2) Disciplining gifted kids can be easier because they understand what is required more quickly but can be harder if they want to debate every issue #gtchat
A2 In most cases, gifted children are fully aware of how they should behave; but still are kids. Their knowledge base alone necessitates that their parent/teacher ‘be prepared’ to answer questions. #gtchat
That said, when they start to understand the impact they are having on others, they may over react with shame. Need to be supported in learning skills and given permission to be beginners as long as they are practicing. #gtchat
A3 Asynchronous development – many ages at once – has a pronounced effect on behavior for gifted children. Maturity and intellect are often out of synch. Their ‘want to dos’ far exceed doing what is expected of them for their age. #gtchat
A1 Discipline is an educators responsibility, to guide a young person on their journey to self-actualization. Discipline is a learned ability to code switch appropriately and to take care of yourself! #gtchat
A3 Asynchrony plays ALL THE ROLES in #gifted behavior. All. When a kid is a dozen ages inside of an hour, & the nearby adult doesn't grok asynchrony, it's a recipe for misunderstanding and disaster. #gtchat
A3) Absolutely. Cognition is often far beyond emotional self-regulation. The frustration of getting in trouble because they are expected to already be able to control themselves leads to other problems. #gtchat
To the extreme sometimes. You can see your class screech to a halt if there is a pressing issue of justice and fairness that a gifted student is taking to court! #gtchat
A2 - No one sees through illogical rules/consequences faster than #gifted students. The “game” of school is beneath them. It’s important to build ideals learners strive to reach rather than avoiding a list of offenses. Focus on our possibilities rather than deficits. #gtchat
We are already halfway through our chat! Thank you for sharing so many inspiring thoughts about disciplining smart kids! Please remember to use the #gtchat hashtag to participate in the conversation.
A2 The biggest challenges with instilling self-discipline in young people is that all those thoughts in their brain pans are popping around like popcorn! Slowing things down for them (but also for me!) so I maintain calm and patience is easier some days than others. #gtchat
A3: Asynchrony plays a role but I think it's more on the educator side. I've seen 10 year veterans have "a-ha" revelations when they learn about this. In the meantime, gifted kids suffer from unrealistic expectations around what being gifted means. #gtchat
A3 Asynchronous development is not something the gifted child may have control over and may not even recognize when they are younger; especially if they haven’t been identified yet. #gtchat
Please hop in, lurkers! :) I've learned so much from participating in #gtchat the last several years, have made lifelong friends as well. It's an hour of education and community.
A3 - Asynchronous development shows up in my middle schoolers most visibly through executive function needs. We work hard to build teaching & support of these skills into our curriculum. #Gifted students benefit from examples and options rather than a single approach #gtchat
A2 - No one sees through illogical rules/consequences faster than #gifted students. The “game” of school is beneath them. It’s important to build ideals learners strive to reach rather than avoiding a list of offenses. Focus on our possibilities rather than deficits. #gtchat
A4 Communication – honest and explicit statement of what is considered appropriate classroom behavior can go a long way in preventing discipline issues. #gtchat
And it's so important that educators recognize that choosing between rigorous academics and executive functioning/social-emotional learning is a false choice! Both are needed for 21st century learning! #gtchat
Except for when they don’t. One of my grade 6 kids freezes with overwhelm ever time his gt teacher gives him too many choices. How to pick only one? They are all equally interesting (or not). #gtchat
A3 - Asynchronous development shows up in my middle schoolers most visibly through executive function needs. We work hard to build teaching & support of these skills into our curriculum. #Gifted students benefit from examples and options rather than a single approach #gtchat
An interesting question to think about is why is it that gifted students might actually play the game at school but give their parents the blues at home when it comes to playing the game. #gtchat
A2 - No one sees through illogical rules/consequences faster than #gifted students. The “game” of school is beneath them. It’s important to build ideals learners strive to reach rather than avoiding a list of offenses. Focus on our possibilities rather than deficits. #gtchat
A4 Communication – honest and explicit statement of what is considered appropriate classroom behavior can go a long way in preventing discipline issues. #gtchat
A4: You can't prevent discipline issues for gifted or any students for that matter. It's more important to have instruction and systems that tap into our students' intrinsic motivation and agency, and meaningful ways to guide moments when kids predictably do kid stuff. #gtchat
Great point. How do you handle students paralyzed by choice, unable to offer an alternative and uninterested in the teacher’s solution? I’ve usually let it go and moved on to another element student is interested in...#gtchat
A3 Goodness yes. I have a rainbow of behaviors all due to asynchrony. I have an 8yo working on calculus who barks like a dog and growls when I redirect, a 10yo struggling with depression, a brilliant 9yo who could use 5 years of empathy training. And so on #gtchat
I think that we probably don't agree with what "rigorous" means. Drill and kill, long and strenuous for the sake of being long and strenuous is not what I'm talking about. I mean powerful questions that encourage thinking and deeper learning beyond rote memorization. #gtchat
A5: Parents and teachers of gifted students need to work as a team. Because what is working at home doesn't always work at school and vice-versa. #gtchat
A5 This is when I'm supposed to come up w/ideas, right? I got nuttin'. I'll say set your own personal boundaries, lower your standards (no, even lower...more...getting closer), & work w/the kid, not against. #gtchat
A2: asynchrony much? It just complicates things SO MUCH! You get a kid who can manipulate like a grown adult but can’t deal with a consequence without completely losing her mind...just so much worse than a typical kid. 😑
I think rigor is not always understood by educators and poor application or high expectations of trivial skill/content can derail #gifted learner engagement. Student choice and voice is important during the deep dive into content. #gtchat
Even as a parent, I have to remind myself that kids are kids. We've all heard "I'm not angry, I'm disappointed," but it can also be silly having expectations of kids that doesn't recognize them as kids. #gtchat
A4: You can't prevent discipline issues for gifted or any students for that matter. It's more important to have instruction and systems that tap into our students' intrinsic motivation and agency, and meaningful ways to guide moments when kids predictably do kid stuff. #gtchat
Getting meta-cognitive about ithelps my kids. I remark that it looks like they are overwhelmed and can’t find a meaningful criteria for deciding. I pick one or two I think might be most appealing and start asking specific questions to lead towards the assignment. #gtchat
A5 #gtchat Parents can also be thrown off by misunderstandings of giftedness and the impact of asynchronous development as well. I think consistency and realistic expectations are crucial.
A3) I think it plays almost EVERY role. It’s why my preteen still chews her nails, shrieks like a banshee, and cries like a toddler even though she can mathematically reason and comprehend literature like a college student.
A4 I work hard to prepare lessons but much harder preparing expectations. An RC approach coupled with clear expectations allows students to quickly internalize their responsibility and discipline comes across as accountability rather than punishment. #gtchat
A5 Being present as parents and talking to your children and letting them talk. Letting them know that you are there for them and providing a loving, calm, caring environment. #gtchat
A4 #gtchat. Sometimes approaching discipline with humor can defuse a situation, allowing students to save face. Students then can be challenged to strategize alternative solutions.
A4 I work hard to prepare lessons but much harder preparing expectations. An RC approach coupled with clear expectations allows students to quickly internalize their responsibility and discipline comes across as accountability rather than punishment. #gtchat
A5: We've also got to do better about shame. Feeling shame and giving out shame, especially towards parents of gifted learners struggling with underachievement and motivation challenges. #gtchat.
A5) The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the kids. If they KNOW in their bones that you believe they are creative, resourceful, and not broken - just unskilled - they will have access to the best parts of themselves more often. #gtchat
A6 Strategies for positive discipline should include expressing clear expectations, involving their child in developing expectations, and taking the child’s feelings and abilities into consideration. #gtchat
A5) So much has to do with understanding or the lack of it. Just last night, I was talking with my sister-in-law about #gifted kids misdiagnosed with comorbid #ADHD who are actually just not receiving appropriate instruction or not allowed to focus on their strengths. #gtchat
A4:) I have to give loads of cues for transitions, advance warnings for routine changes, and recognize triggers before they strike. I also had to seriously learn to let go of the small stuff. Sit on the table, sure...just get the work done.
A6 Strategies for positive discipline should include expressing clear expectations, involving their child in developing expectations, and taking the child’s feelings and abilities into consideration. #gtchat
A5) Be in tune with your child. Make it clear that pointing out bad behavior isn't about judging them. We're here to help or we wouldn't have gotten in this business in the first place. (Presumably.) #gtchat
A6: I’m still struggling with this as a parent but I know that being proactive and rewarding the good before the unwanted behaviors arise is always best. Now remembering to do that is another story 😬#gtchat
A5) So much has to do with understanding or the lack of it. Just last night, I was talking with my sister-in-law about #gifted kids misdiagnosed with comorbid #ADHD who are actually just not receiving appropriate instruction or not allowed to focus on their strengths. #gtchat
A6 Positive discipline should be about teaching behavioral skills, adults serving as role models, and remembering to express positive reinforcement whenever possible. #gtchat
A5) Oh, and "time out" seems to be the go to consequence for many parents (and educators), but often times, our kids need "time IN" much more. When undesirable behaviors arise, spend time WITH the child. INclusion beats EXclusion. #gtchat
I truly believe that when we work side by side w/ #gifted and #2ekids, half the battles are never fought. These kids are amazingly awesome, so why not? #gtchat
A6) Catch them being good — and explain the positive impact that the good behaviour has. (Get their cognition on your side - you want them to internalize the good impact, not the desire for praise.) #gtchat
Final thought - discipline with the long-term goal in mind doesn’t look like traditional reward and punished behavioural management. Teaching with respect for the personhood of gt/2e kids has profound impact. #gtchat
There will be no chat the next 2 weeks due to Thanksgiving & the #TAGT Conference #giftED18 in Fort Worth, TX. I look forward to seeing many of our #gtchat participants there! #gtchat
Our next chat will be on Thursday December 6th at 8E/7C/6M/5P US & Friday 7th November at 2 PM NZST/Noon AEST/1AM UK. Our topic will be “Performance-Based Assessments” #gtchat
A6 Students have to be involved. Rules/discipline can’t be a surprise or a gotcha. Define the learning environment kids want to “live in” and create supporting expectations. Work backwards :). #gtchat
Final thought - discipline with the long-term goal in mind doesn’t look like traditional reward and punished behavioural management. Teaching with respect for the personhood of gt/2e kids has profound impact. #gtchat
A6: Help them see natural consequences. I once heard a Principal telling a gifted spitter, "if you spit on kids, kids are going to think you're gross and no one will want to be your friend." The spitting stopped. Not exactly a positive behavior intervention, but it works! #gtchat
