This week we have been talking to the kids about the many “picture” synopses we give in our lives. The visual impression a person makes when he enters a room, the intellectual impression from a homework assignment, and the story a transcript tells are all examples. We have encouraged the kids to consider what they want those 1000 words to be.
We parents think about the “picture” our children are presenting all the time. It’s a main part of our job to make sure they are representing well. How much thought do we put into the picture we are presenting to them? If the normal person sees a thousand words, I can guarantee your gifted kid sees beyond the words to the inferences, the implications, and even the possible future uses!! My teachers and I get to hear our words and actions thrown back at us constantly because we’re surrounded by gifted kids. If one is not used to it, it can be very infuriating.
Many parents seek to hide fallacies from their children, but I would encourage you to not do this with gifted kids. They need to know that you sometimes fail, and they need to see you rise above it. Showing them a picture of recovery is incredibly important to getting then to try new activities. If your “picture” is perfection, they will shy away from new activities because of the potential to fail and thereby disappoint you.
In our weekly video on this leadership lesson, I told the kids that great painters throughout history have painted picture over picture over picture. Canvases may have as many as fifteen other paintings started below the final piece. In this same way, if our “picture” does not present a thousand good words, we can “paint” over it. This translates to asking for forgiveness when we’ve presented a picture of intolerance or a second chance when we’ve really messed up. Your child will not know how to do that unless he and she has watched you do it. So, don’t hesitate to let your children see many of the “pictures” you present to the world. They will fear failure less if they know that perfection is not the expectation.
- Michelle