FRIENDSHIP

What do I need to know?

Fast Facts:
Stages of Friendship
• Gifted children move
Play Partner—A friend is someone who engages
through the stages of in play.
friendship faster than
non gifted peers People to chat to—Sharing interests becomes
• Children look for
important.
mental age peers
rather than same age Help and encouragement-A friend is someone
peers who offers help, support, and encouragement.
• Loneliness is most
intense before the age
Intimacy/empathy—Receiving affection
of 10 becomes important and emotional sharing and
bonding occurs.
• Acceleration has
significant social and
emotional benefits The sure shelter—Friendship is seen as a deep
and lasting relationship of trust, loyalty, and
unconditional acceptance.

“With true peers, gifted

Tips for Helping Your Child Find
Friends children can be themselves,
 Push for appropriate placement of your child. laugh at the same jokes,
play games at the same
 Work on social skills such as self-control and
patience with your child. level, share the depth of
their sensitivity, and
 Enroll your child in activities he or she is
interested in. develop more complex
values.”

-L. K. Silverman

Information from:
Gross, M. (2002, May). “Play partner” or “sure shelter”: What gifted
children look for in friendship. http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-
Database/entry/A10255
Hébert, T. (2011). Understanding the social and emotional lives of gifted
students. Prufrock Press Inc.