When summer hits, many parents feel the pressure to keep their gifted kids constantly engaged—but research shows that rest and unstructured time are far from wasted. In this post, I share why giving your child space to "do nothing" might actually be one of the best things you can do for their development, and how I’m learning to embrace the quiet moments with my always-busy 8-year-old.

Gifted students are often the outliers—curious, intense, sometimes misunderstood. As educators and parents, we’re in a unique position to create spaces where these learners feel safe, seen, and supported—not just for their intellect, but for who they are as whole people.

As part of my recent work in gifted education, I explored Standard 2, which focuses on understanding the diverse ways gifted students develop—cognitively, socially, emotionally, and culturally. It also challenges us to build learning environments that reflect and respond to that complexity.

Here are 20 insights from that process—each one a small reminder of what it means to serve gifted students well.

Maya is a 10-year-old fifth grader with advanced verbal reasoning and problem-solving skills. She loves reading and thinking deeply about the world around her. But along with those strengths, she also experiences high levels of perfectionism, anxiety, and sensitivity. She’s the kind of student who might crumple her paper and start over again and again—not because she doesn’t understand the material, but because it’s not “perfect.”

As educators and parents, we often focus on the strengths of gifted learners—their quick thinking, creativity, and passion for knowledge. But behind these intellectual abilities lies something just as important: their emotional world.

Supporting the social and emotional development of gifted students is essential to helping them thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

Artistically gifted students offer the world unique insight, beauty, and perspective through their work—but their emotional lives can be just as complex and vibrant as their artistic expressions. While these students are often celebrated for their creativity and talent, they are sometimes misunderstood when it comes to their emotional and social development. Educators and parents can better support these students by understanding the traits that shape their inner worlds and the environments that help them thrive.

Fostering a growth mindset is one of the most important factors for the long-term success of gifted learners. A growth mindset is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and practice. Growth mindset empowers students to embrace challenges, persevere through setbacks, and cultivate the skill of resilience. As educators and parents, we have the unique opportunity to instill these values in gifted children, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive both academically and personally. Gifted learners are often accustomed to high achievement with minimal effort and may face difficulties when they encounter challenges. By promoting a growth mindset, we can help gifted students understand that setbacks are opportunities for growth rather than indicators of failure.

Holistic learning environments are about engaging the whole student—not just intellectually, but also emotionally, socially, creatively, and physically. When students feel supported in all these areas, they’re better prepared to learn, adapt, and thrive. Holistic education goes beyond traditional academics and builds the foundation for lifelong resilience, curiosity, and empathy.

Holistic learning treats education as more than just a transfer of knowledge. It’s about creating a dynamic space where students grow in all dimensions. Each part of the learning experience plays a role in shaping a well-rounded individual who can handle challenges and engage meaningfully with the world.