Parent Perspectives of Behavioral and Emotional Development of Young High-Ability Children: A Pilot Study

We conducted a thematic analysis of 25 parent responses to open-ended survey questions from the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) regarding their young, high-ability children’s behavioral and emotional development. Our analysis revealed four themes: (a) demonstrating advanced abilit...

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Main Authors: Benna S. Haas, Laura S. McCorkle, Thomas W. Connors, Erin R. FitzPatrick, Michael S. Matthews, Julianna Willis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Education Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/5/610
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author Benna S. Haas
Laura S. McCorkle
Thomas W. Connors
Erin R. FitzPatrick
Michael S. Matthews
Julianna Willis
author_facet Benna S. Haas
Laura S. McCorkle
Thomas W. Connors
Erin R. FitzPatrick
Michael S. Matthews
Julianna Willis
author_sort Benna S. Haas
collection DOAJ
description We conducted a thematic analysis of 25 parent responses to open-ended survey questions from the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) regarding their young, high-ability children’s behavioral and emotional development. Our analysis revealed four themes: (a) demonstrating advanced abilities, (b) displaying motivation to do well, (c) enjoying the company of adults and peers, and (d) experiencing difficulties regulating emotions. Further, three themes from parents of young typically developing children were also included as a comparison: (a) demonstrating academic strengths, (b) connecting with others, and (c) experiencing difficulties regulating emotions. These themes provide a first step in informing classroom teachers, counselors, and psychologists about young children’s social, emotional, and behavioral needs and matching them with appropriate educational programming and intervention options. This paper also includes implications of the findings and suggestions for further research to maximize young children’s gifts, talents, and exceptionalities.
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spelling doaj-art-b147eb5bb1de433e9792072e42a2d3642025-08-20T01:56:27ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-05-0115561010.3390/educsci15050610Parent Perspectives of Behavioral and Emotional Development of Young High-Ability Children: A Pilot StudyBenna S. Haas0Laura S. McCorkle1Thomas W. Connors2Erin R. FitzPatrick3Michael S. Matthews4Julianna Willis5Department of Educational Studies, College of Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USADepartment of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USADepartment of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USADepartment of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USADepartment of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USADepartment of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USAWe conducted a thematic analysis of 25 parent responses to open-ended survey questions from the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) regarding their young, high-ability children’s behavioral and emotional development. Our analysis revealed four themes: (a) demonstrating advanced abilities, (b) displaying motivation to do well, (c) enjoying the company of adults and peers, and (d) experiencing difficulties regulating emotions. Further, three themes from parents of young typically developing children were also included as a comparison: (a) demonstrating academic strengths, (b) connecting with others, and (c) experiencing difficulties regulating emotions. These themes provide a first step in informing classroom teachers, counselors, and psychologists about young children’s social, emotional, and behavioral needs and matching them with appropriate educational programming and intervention options. This paper also includes implications of the findings and suggestions for further research to maximize young children’s gifts, talents, and exceptionalities.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/5/610parentsgiftedhigh abilityyoung childrenbehavioral and emotional development
spellingShingle Benna S. Haas
Laura S. McCorkle
Thomas W. Connors
Erin R. FitzPatrick
Michael S. Matthews
Julianna Willis
Parent Perspectives of Behavioral and Emotional Development of Young High-Ability Children: A Pilot Study
Education Sciences
parents
gifted
high ability
young children
behavioral and emotional development
title Parent Perspectives of Behavioral and Emotional Development of Young High-Ability Children: A Pilot Study
title_full Parent Perspectives of Behavioral and Emotional Development of Young High-Ability Children: A Pilot Study
title_fullStr Parent Perspectives of Behavioral and Emotional Development of Young High-Ability Children: A Pilot Study
title_full_unstemmed Parent Perspectives of Behavioral and Emotional Development of Young High-Ability Children: A Pilot Study
title_short Parent Perspectives of Behavioral and Emotional Development of Young High-Ability Children: A Pilot Study
title_sort parent perspectives of behavioral and emotional development of young high ability children a pilot study
topic parents
gifted
high ability
young children
behavioral and emotional development
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/5/610
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