Identifying the Skills Parents of Gifted Children Need to Support Their Children's Development

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to identify the skills parents of gifted children need to support their children's development. Method: Nine parents of gifted children (GC) participated in this study, which was designed using a basic qualitative research method. Data were collected by conducting a focus group interview. Content analysis method was employed in the data analysis to determine what kind of skills the parents needed based on their experiences. Findings: The analysis identified six main themes: 1) the parent's ability to know themselves, 2) the ability to support the resilience of GC, 3) the ability to support the autonomous learning and self-regulation of GC, 4) the ability to support the talent development of GC, 5) the ability to support the social development of GC, and 6) the ability to mentor GC. The parents stated that they first should know and develop themselves to support their gifted children. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of improving resilience skills that can support their children's emotional processes. The parents needed skills to support their children's adaptation and friendship processes, autonomous learning, taking responsibility, studying on their own, and talent development. They also needed guidance and mentoring skills in future planning. Discussion: Despite few studies on the subject, the findings of the present research are similar to the results of other studies revealing the needs of gifted children's parents. The findings were discussed within the framework of the results of previous research and the resulting themes. Accordingly, it is emphazied that skill-based interventions addressing the needs of parents of gifted children are crucial for fostering parental development and enhancing their ability to support their children effectively.