Part of the How to Help series of books exploring issues commonly faced by children and young people at home and in school, The Gifted Learner offers an accessible introduction to how high ability students can best be supported to achieve their full potential. Gifted (or more able, or high potential) learners are often overlooked in education, partly because they are diverse and partly because they are seen as bright and thus able to cope without support. In fact giftedness does not mean consistent high ability; gifted children may not excel in all subjects, and many are emotionally immature. As a result they are vulnerable. Drawing on case studies to offer a complete guide to what giftedness is how it can be supported, Fidelma Healy Eames argues that gifted learners must be recognised, understood and nurtured holistically at cognitive and emotional levels - and shows how parents, carers, teachers and schools can help.
FIDELMA HEALY EAMES is Director and Lead Educator of Study and Careers, a consultancy based on the west coast of Ireland that offers guidance to professionals, teachers and students. She is a SEN primary teacher and educator, with an enduring interest in making learning easier. From 2006-17 she was a Senator of the Irish Parliament, and until 2013 was Fine Gael spokesperson on Education and Science. She maintains an active interest in politics and is a regular media contributor. To make remote learning easier in the light of the pandemic, in 2020 Fidelma developed a six module online learning to learn study skills and mindset program. She has also expanded her consultancy to include career guidance, coaching and personality profiling for those in career transition. She is an accredited tester with the British Psychological Society in the areas of personality, ability, emotional intelligence, and educational assessment.
Series Preface; About the Author; Authors Preface; How to Use This Book Part 1: Introduction 1. What is giftedness?; 2. Why a book on the gifted learner?; 3. The Gifted Learner Framework; 4. Models of giftedness; 5. Tests for giftedness; 6. History of giftedness Part 2: Learning characteristics of gifted learners 7. Curiosity and the gifted learner; 8. Problem-solving - relationship with maths and science; 9. Avid readers; 10. Quick learners Part 3: Creativity 11. Flexible and divergent thinkers; 12. Gifted learners language usage - spoken and written; 13. Creative talent and imaginative expression; 14. Sense of humour Part 4: Motivation and leadership 15. Motivation and task commitment; 16. Boredom; 17. Competitiveness; 18. Leadership Part 5: Self-esteem and emotional development 19. Self-acceptance and gifted learners; 20. Perfectionism and the intense gifted learner; 21. Worry and anxiety Part 6: Inclusion and curriculum provision 22. Under-achieving gifted learners; 23. The twice-exceptional learner; 24. A differentiated curriculum for gifted learners; 25. Best practice to support giftedness Part 7: Conclusion 30. Summary; 31. A last word to parents and carers; 32. A last word to teachers and schools
