The Gifted Guru Parent Presentation
10/21/2026 1:14 pm
Supporting Your Gifted Learner at Home
On October 20, GC-SAGE welcomed Lisa Van Gemert, M.Ed., the Gifted Guru, to the GCISD PDEC for a parent program on executive functioning. Lisa shared ways families can help gifted learners plan, manage their time and materials, decide what to do first, and follow through.
Throughout the evening, Lisa returned to an example many families recognized: a completed assignment that never made it out of the backpack. She encouraged parents to ask, “What are the executive functioning skills this situation is demanding?” A student who forgets the assignment is in the backpack needs different support from a student who is unsure where to turn it in. Lisa suggested focusing on one recurring frustration at home and asking the child’s teacher whether they see a similar pattern at school.
Lisa showed parents an assignment plan that guides students through estimating how long the work will take, gathering materials, checking their work, and turning it in. She also suggested showing children a picture of what a finished task looks like. A photo of a backpack packed for the next day, for example, gives a child something to check on their own.
The presentation also covered how parents can gradually hand over a routine. Lisa walked through four steps. First, the parent models the task. Then the parent and child do it together. Next, the child takes the lead while the parent watches. When the child is ready, they do it independently. Lisa suggested practicing with a familiar task so the child can focus on the routine. If frustration builds, families can talk through what happened once everyone has had time to settle down.
Resources for parents
- Support and activities for gifted families. Lisa’s guide includes parent webinars from SENG and activities children can do at home from Mensa for Kids. Resources for Parents
- Talking about giftedness and working with your child’s school. Lisa’s articles offer ideas for talking with children about being gifted and for approaching the school when their needs aren’t being met. Parenting articles
- Helping children manage perfectionism. Lisa shares strategies for children who get stuck redoing their work or hesitate to try something they might get wrong. Overcoming Perfectionism
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