We鈥檙e kicking off Women鈥檚 History Month by sharing resources specifically for the amazing girls* in our gifted community who are already making history! What resources have been helpful for the gifted girls in your life? Share them with us!

Though normally a 7-week program, the signature Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program will be running virtually in 2021. The 2-week opportunity is available to rising sophomore, junior, and senior girls鈥攖rans and cis鈥攁nd non-binary students. No prior computer science experience is required. The program covers projects related to computer science, such as art, storytelling, robotics, video games, web sites, and apps. Participants will also hear from guest speakers, participate in workshops, and connect with female engineers and entrepreneurs.

The EngineerGirl website is a service of the National Academy of Engineering that is designed to bring national attention to the exciting opportunities that engineering represents for girls and women. Every year, the EngineerGirl website sponsors a contest dealing with engineering and its impact on our world. Though submissions are closed for 2021, the next prompt will be announced in September.

This week-long summer mathematics camp for high school girls provides a stimulating and supportive environment for girls to develop their mathematical ability and interest. In 2021, the program will be virtual and open to all genders. Participants learn about the exciting mathematics of Codes, interact with peers who share an interest in mathematics, and work with female mathematics graduate students and professors. The campers stay in a residence hall and are chaperoned by female mathematics graduate students and undergraduate students.

Dr. Ellen Littman is a clinical psychologist licensed in New York State, with a focus on high IQ adults and adolescents. Dr. Littman has been recognized by the American Psychological Association as a pioneer in the identification of gender differences in ADHD, with special expertise understanding issues affecting women and girls with ADHD. She was a podcast guest on the topic of 鈥淲hy ADHD is Different for Women鈥� in December 2020 鈥� you can listen .

Designed by Smith鈥檚 professors and staff, precollege programs offer an inspiring learning experience. The hands-on, collaborative environment lets students directly engage with world-class scholars who help them pursue their passions and develop new skills. Both remote and on-campus opportunities are available.

The Advantage Testing Foundation Math Prize for Girls is the largest math prize for girls in the world. Each fall at MIT, nearly 300 young female mathematicians compete in the challenging test of mathematical creativity and insight. Their goal is to promote gender equity in the STEM professions and to encourage young women with exceptional potential to become mathematical and scientific leaders. Their format for the Fall 2021 contest has not been announced at the time of publication.

Kim Moldofsky鈥檚 mission for this blog is to help parents raise STEM-loving, Maker-friendly kids. She writes about raising gifted children, girls in STEM, and the Maker Movement. Additionally, she is the founder of #STEMchat, which brings parents, educators and STEM professionals together monthly via Twitter to share resources and ideas.

* We are using 鈥済irls鈥� to include any gender-expansive or gender nonconforming youth. Definitions may differ by organization.

Moderating screen time for youth has never been more difficult. Television, streaming services, and video games are a huge draw for children. But video games, or gaming, has benefits beyond television and streaming services. Gaming is an interactive activity. Children can play against friends and interact with other youth which is especially needed during these times of social distancing. Games can also include problem solving and learning opportunities.

There are many resources available to parents with questions about gaming including our upcoming . This Gifted Support Group will feature Susanna Pollack from Games for Change. In this presentation, Ms. Pollack will provide insights on how games have a power beyond entertainment that can be used for social good. 

Whether through using games as a platform for learning, building awareness around important social issues, or building 21st Century Skills, young people can engage with pro-social activities while enjoying a medium that 鈥渕eets them where they are. With a commitment to learning and education, Ms. Pollack also developed a portfolio of programs that advance the use of games and immersive media in learning.  She launched the G4C Student Challenge with the NYC Department of Education in 2015, which is now a national program that reaches 10,000 students annually.

Additional resources online include:

• , National Association for Gifted Children
• , Child Mind Institute
• , Health, Social Benefits, Review Finds, American Psychological Association

As a parent, you always want what is best for your child and strive to provide it for them.聽 Developmental specialists, health providers and other experts are always researching and recommending ways to raise a child in order to reach their full potential. One of the focuses for parents should be the mental health of a child and understanding and learning .聽 (1)

But how do you know whether or not the emotions that your child is feeling are normal? Or if your child may need additional mental health intervention? Certain life stressors, changes or transitions may cause behavioral changes in a child, and these changes may be normal.聽 For example, it is normal for a child to start acting out after the arrival of a new baby.

However, if they seem extreme or go on long after the event, you may want to consult a professional such as a mental health counselor, school nurse, school counselor or another health care specialist if a child you know (2):

• Feels very sad, hopeless or irritable
• Feels overly anxious or worried
• Is scared and fearful; has frequent nightmares
• Is excessively angry
• Uses alcohol or drugs
• Avoids people; wants to be alone all of the time
• Hears voices or sees things that aren鈥檛 there
• Can鈥檛 concentrate, sit still, or focus attention
• Needs to wash, clean things, or perform certain rituals many times a day
• Talks about suicide or death
• Hurts other people or animals; or damages property
• Has major changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Loses interest in friends or things usually enjoyed
• Falls behind in school or earns lower grades.

Because children often can’t understand difficult situations on their own, you should pay particular attention if they experience (3):

• Loss of a loved one
• Divorce or separation of their parents
• Any major transition鈥攏ew home, new school, etc.
• Traumatic life experiences, like living through a natural disaster
• Teasing or bullying
• Difficulties in school or with classmates

What Parents Can Do (2):

• Care for your children鈥檚 mental health just as you do for their physical health.

• Pay attention to warning signs, and if you鈥檙e concerned there might be a problem seek professional help.
• Let your children know that everyone experiences pain, fear, sadness, worry and anger and that these emotions are a normal part of life; encourage them to talk about their concerns and to express their emotions.
• Be a role model 鈥� talk about your own feelings, apologize, don鈥檛 express anger with violence, and use active problem-solving skills.
• Encourage your children鈥檚 talents and skills, while also accepting their limitations. Celebrate your children鈥檚 accomplishments.
• Give your children opportunities to learn and grow, including being involved in their school and community and with other caring adults and friends.
• Think of 鈥渄iscipline鈥� as a form of teaching, rather than as physical punishment; set clear expectations and be consistent and fair with consequences for misbehavior; make sure to acknowledge both positive and negative behaviors.

• Lastly, just be a parent to your child, and let the professionals do their job, as that is what they are trained for.

Mental disorders in children are treatable. Early identification, diagnosis and treatment help children reach their full potential and improve the family dynamic. Children鈥檚 mental health matters! To learn more, talk to a doctor or a mental health professional.

Additional Resources:聽 Some of these organizations have local affiliates, provide support groups both within the community and online, and provide resources such as workshops and classes.聽 In addition, your local school district has mental health resources, or may partner with community organizations that provide mental health services.

References:

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(2) 聽聽

(3)聽 聽