PAST PRESENTATIONS & DISCUSSIONS

Given at PG Retreat 2007

See also information about Speakers and Consultations

PRESENTATIONS FOR PARENTS

Staying Safe in Cyberspace:
Tips and Tools for Parents of PG Internet Users

Presentation by Caroline K. and Annette Sheely

Most children today are growing up using the Internet for educational and entertainment purposes. While this amazing network has enhanced our lives in so many ways, it can also be a treacherous place for a child without supervision. This presentation is designed for parents who want up-to-date tips and tools for keeping their children safe on the internet. Carolyn K. of Hoagies' Gifted Education Page has a wealth of information to share on this topic, based on her experience as both a parent of PG children and as a Webmaster. Annette Sheely will show parents (with screen shots) specifically how parents can help keep their children safe on MySpace.com.

The Kids Are Alright:
What's Normal, What's Not, When We're Talking PG

Presentation by Michele Kane and Annette Sheely

Parenting PG children can be a surprising, fun, intense, and lonely journey. With few other parents to talk to who understand the unique issues of these children, it's hard to know what's "normal" for these kiddos. And very few medical and mental health professionals have training in the area of giftedness, let alone profound giftedness, so PG children are at risk for being misdiagnosed with mental disorders. Learn about the most common mental health diagnoses and misdiagnoses of PG children and how to tell if your child does indeed need some extra support. And finally, as a group, we will all look at and discuss how to "let go" in healthy ways while providing support in the process.

"I Can Barely Handle Her Being PG at School,
But I'm Not Ready For Her to be PG in Dating!"
(Issues of Dating and Sex for Parents of PG Children and Teens — Yikes!)

Presentation by Annette Sheely and Michele Kane

Fortunately, there are a few books and articles about how to help your PG child in school. We're told that Radical Acceleration is often a good educational option, as is Early Entrance in College. But then, when your child is mixed in with much older students, how do you handle it when your 15-year-old daughter says her "true peer" is the 26-year-old man she wants to date? Join us for a conversation about talking to your teen regarding sensitive topics such as dating and sexual identity while maintaining clear boundaries and a sense of personal/family ethics.

Living with Intensity and Deepening Soul:
Enhancing the Inner Life

Presentation by Michele Kane

Many gifted children are keenly aware of the social problems of the world and want to work to make changes. They experience injustices keenly and desire to make a difference. They see the result of natural and man-made disasters on the planet and have ideas of how to help. These gifted students need the guidance and support of adults to help them develop and foster their spiritual and compassionate natures.

Ethical and moral considerations are of deep concern for many highly gifted children. Sensitivity, intensity, and perfectionism lend to an increased awareness of self and others. The pain of the world can be a tremendous burden, while also trying to understand those that seem indifferent or cynical. The work of Dabrowski, Piechowski and Roeper provide some clarity in seeking to find a framework for "living in a higher key." Recognizing the difficulties highly gifted children experience as well as providing support are important aspects of the parenting process.

This session will provide resources from the literature along with suggestions to encourage the development of the inner lives of gifted kids who care. Case studies will be presented along with the characteristics of those people who demonstrate lives of emotional and/or spiritual giftedness.

Round-Table Panel Discussion

with Parent Leaders and Speaker Input

The various speaker presentations will provoke questions and ideas that we can discuss more thoroughly. Some of the ideas for our round-table panel discussion include:

• motivation
  
• friendship
  
• perfectionism
  
• introversion/extraversion
  
• dealing with stress

PRESENTATIONS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

Listen to My Story
Outdoor discussion on Saturday, aimed at older children and teens

Discussion facilitated by Michele Kane and Annette Sheely

Each one of us has a story to tell. We figure out who we are while exploring different aspects of our Self, including the social, physical, intellectual, creative, emotional and spiritual parts. This discussion group will combine individual creative (and fun!) exercises as well as storytelling and imagery to explore these parts of our Selves more fully. Each person will have the opportunity to share his/her personal story as the group participates in deep listening.

PG Teens and the Birds and the Bees:
Discussing Issues of Attraction, Dating, Gender Roles, and Sex for the
Asynchronous Adolescent and Young Adult

Discussion Facilitated by Annette Sheely and Michele Kane

When you were in elementary school and you were assessed as being several years mentally advanced, your folks probably worked hard to get the right level of academic material for you. (Hey, by the way, have you thanked them yet for that? Today might be a good day to do that. Just a suggestion.) Now that you're a teen, being asynchronous is a little more complicated now, isn't it? Join our discussion and hear how other PG teens cope (and even thrive) as they deal with these seldom discussed topics: romantic attraction, dating, gender roles, and sex. All who participate in this discussion will be asked to keep other people's stories confidential.