Thursday, February 22, 2018

The Importance of Friendship for Gifted Students

According to Dr. Linda Silverman (noted author, researcher, and speaker on all things gifted), "When gifted children are asked what they most desire, the answer is often 'a friend'. The children's experience of school is completely colored by the presence or absence of friends."

Here's how one Seabury first grader put it:

I have been searching for a friend but I have never found one. 
But when I got to Seabury I have got so many friends.

They are so nice. I play with my friends. 
I love to play with my friends. 


At last year's Seabury Speaker Series, Austina de Bonte, president of Northwest Gifted Child Association, shared the importance of gifted children finding like-minded friends.

She stressed that a child's social development requires practice, i.e. spending quantity time playing, learning, and working with fellow bright, passionate, engaged, and often asynchronistic classmates.  



That's what we do at Seabury. 
Our students have found their tribe! 


Here we are hanging out together:

Painting a heart mural 

Sharing a project--a hand-made book

Sharing passions
This boy loves tornadoes and wants to be a storm chaser.

Sparkling
Yes, she was born to sparkle at many things, including playing the violin.


 Learning advanced topics together
Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian First Graders

Losing teeth together!


As our motto says, "Seabury challenges gifted children in a community that cherishes each individual and fosters a love of learning, discovery, and creativity."

We're so glad we can do this together.



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