For Parents
Here at Aotearoa Gifted Reach, we know how tremendously important parents are in the life of a gifted child.
No-one else really understands your child like you do. That’s generally true for most parents, of course. But when you have a child who doesn’t fit easily into the expected norms, then the insight and understanding a parent brings to helping that child thrive are especially necessary. And gifted children don’t easily fit the norms – in fact, they often don’t fit them at all!
This page is dedicated to you.
Click on the links below to explore our curated resources.
Remember - "Our kids are normal.
They just aren’t typical."
– Jim DeLisle
Useful links and articles
The Charter of Rights for the Gifted Child:
Delegates at the 50th anniversary conference of the NZ Assn for Gifted Children in 2025 drew up this powerful statement. Parents are welcome to use it as a support document if that would help in discussion with schools.
In Praise of Parents:
Acknowledging your special role.
> click HERE
Setting up a parent group.
A parent group can provide support, information, ways to share experience, and a basis both children and family activities.
Choosing a School.
Schools are currently in a state of change, but the basic guidelines here remain relevant for this important decision.
Parenting a Queer Gifted Child:
A parent speaks thoughtfully and honestly about the issues involved when a gifted child recognises themselves as non- binary in gender.
Where can you get more help?
Look for your national association:
they will have a range of services including regional branches.
-
In New Zealand, that’s the NZAGC, www.giftedchildren.org.nz
-
In Australia, it’s the AAEGT, www.aaegt.net.au
Recommended websites:
Two valuable websites - both packed with useful information
-
SENG especially on social and emotional issues: www.sengifted.org
Check out these helpful books:
The Survival Guide is one of a whole series – there are guides for gifted kids, for teens, and for teachers, all drawing very directly on what children and teenagers and parents themselves have had to say.
Out of Sync is an enormously readable collection of insightful essays by the parent of a highly gifted child, Stephanie Tolan, including her famous Is It A Cheetah?
The Survival Guide
- Sally Yahnke Walker
Out of Sync
- Stephanie Tolan
One Day School
The “One Day School” concept was launched in 1996 through the George Parkyn Centre.
It provided a central venue where gifted children from different schools could come together for one day a week, every week. It had two main benefits.
One, it could offer a genuinely challenging programme beyond what could usually be offered at school.
Two, it allowed the gifted child to meet like minds and experience companionship, often for the first time.
The programme was based on our Model of Gifted Needs.
(See Key Ideas).
The original programme grew to have 600 children at 18 different venues around New Zealand.
The obvious success of the concept led to other such programmes emerging in various places.
Thinking that you might start such a programme in your area?
Feel free to email Rosemary for further ideas and information.
Current Programmes
Some contact details for current programmes are listed here. We welcome details from any other similar programmes to add to this list!
1. Nelson
Amy Cornelisen | Ministry of Inspiration
www.ministryofinspiration.org
admin@ministryofinspiration.org
2. Dunedin
Tor Devereux,
Pākiki Kids,
https://pakikikids.weebly.com/
info@pakikikids.org
3. Invercargill
Peter Forde,
Enrich,
4. New Plymouth
Kim Gillanders,
The Head Office, New Plymouth
www.theheadoffice.org.nz
admin@theheadoffice.org.nz
5. Wanaka
Danielle Nicholson
Wanaka One Day School
ods@Kahuyouthtrust.org
