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Reviewed by Davidson Institute for Talent Development.

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings provides readers with useful, specific information about this population, as well as interventions to attempt that are easy to implement and supported by research. This book is not only helpful to parents, but also to educators.

“A growing number of these students share a different reality when it comes to traditional learning. They are frustrated by the mundane and repetitive processes found in many classrooms. Driven by boredom, they fall out of synch with school and withdraw from the learning environment” (p. 17). This book is a helpful and informative read because not only does it discuss gifted students and their education, it also discusses their peer relationships, emotions, personality traits, and much more.

What does a teacher do when she has a gifted student in her class that is struggling socially, academically, or perhaps both? One of the best features of this book is the ‘Notes to the Teacher’ section at the end of each chapter. This particular section provides teachers with some helpful tips on working with gifted students and helps explain some of the behavior they may be seeing in their classroom. 

When working with students who may be struggling at home or at school, research shows that individuals experience more long-term success if thse two environments are consistent. This book provides information about how parents, students, and teachers can work together to build this type of consistency. For example, if a parent is attempting a behavior plan at home, perhaps the teacher may be willing to try it at school as well, this way everyone is on the same page.

In Chapter 9 titled "Yes, It Really Does Take A Village", the author outlines an example of the teamwork theme that runs throughout the book. “Parenting is an exhausting job - and parenting gifted children carries a level of frustration that is seldom understood. Parents often are left feeling inadequate to help the problems facing their kids, with little support from others” (p. 113).

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings is a tool that will provide parents with some of the support they may need. This book is a helpful read for any parent who is looking for some creative ways to improve their relationship with their child, understand them better, and learn positive ways to advocate on their child’s behalf.

Permission Statement

This article is provided as a service of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting profoundly gifted young people 18 and under. To learn more about the Davidson Institute’s programs, please visit www.DavidsonGifted.org.