Barbara Klein, Ed.D.

Please note: My office suite number might change soon within the building. I'll post the change if it occurs!

Learn How to Develop Your Gifted Child’s Potential

I am starting a new parenting group in Westwood Village every Thursday morning from 9:30–11:00am.

The group will discuss EVERY concern you have about raising a gifted child. Some topics will be initiated by me, but everyone involved can participate with their own questions and comments. Your input is needed for a successful group!

Some issues we will talk about include:
    •Perfectionism
    •How to Be a Good Enough Parent
    •Avoiding Parenting Traps
    •Finding the Right School
    •The Need for Enrichment and Acceleration
    •Emotional Intensity
    •Anxiety Over Separation and New Situations
    •Asynchronous Development—Learning Highs and Lows
    •Underachievement and Overachievement
    •Strategies That Promote Communication in the Family
    •Social Development

If you are interested, please call me at (310) 209-0515.

Thank you!

ParentsConnect.com

ParentsConnect.com, an MTV/Nickelodeon venture, is looking to create a large number (upwards of 650) of Q&A boxes for the site on a huge variety of subjects within the following parenting topic areas: 1.Child health and development; 2. Raising good kids; 3. Pregnancy. Because of the large number of topics we'll be covering, please feel free to send multiple suggestions our way. We are currently gearing up to launch the next version of the site, in which we want to include a wide variety of expert advice and opinion. For that, we will need an equally wide variety of expert voices. Feel free to define "expert" as widely as possible. Interviews with selected subjects will be conducted by the end of November/beginning of December via phone or e-mail by a variety of ParentsConnect writers. The launch date for the site is March 30, 2007.

Question 1:  My two sons are in a gifted and talented magnet program. Lately I’ve noticed that they often talk about kids who aren’t in their G/T program as being “bad” kids who aren’t as smart as they are. What should I say? How can I help them understand that the “regular” classes have a diversity of kids – many of whom could be potential friends?

Answer:  First and foremost, you should teach your child and show by your example respect for other people’s uniqueness. Parents often think that talking about their child’s giftedness will feed into the child’s arrogance or sense of elitism. The opposite is true. You should talk to your child about what they think it means to be gifted and how they feel about being in special classes. You will be surprised to hear their reactions and they will be relieved to have parents that are concerned about their thoughts and feelings.


Q 2:  My daughter is always in trouble at school. I think it’s because she has a 145 IQ and is bored. The school wants me to talk to our doctor about medicating her – possibly for ADHD. What should I do?

Answer:  Boredom in gifted children is often a “cry for help” to parents and teachers. You need to gather more detailed information about your daughter’s problematic behavior. Ask for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) so you can better understand how the school environment is not meeting your child’s academic and social–emotional needs. Your child may need more challenge and more meaningful friendships. Behavioral interventions such as family counseling should always be given a long chance to resolve problem behavior. Medication should be considered as a last ditch effort.


Q 3:  My son always finishes his work faster than the other kids, and constantly complains about being bored. His teacher has bought some workbooks for gifted kids that he is supposed to work on at the back table in the classroom when he finishes early. I think this is a terrible idea, but need a better suggestion to take to the teacher. Do you have any advice?

Answer:  The most up to date educational research on meeting giften children’s needs for challenge indicates the use of a differentiated curriculum. Differentiated curriculum is more complicated and comprehensive than giving a child an extra workbook in the back of the classroom. Ask your child’s teacher if they have any experience with this innovative curriculum. Remember not to be bossy or insistent. Rather, you should try to work with your child’s teacher on developing realistic challenges.


Q 4:  My son is extremely bright – and has terrible social skills. He is 11 and has no friends. He doesn’t seem to care, and is always in his own little world. I want him to have a best friend (at least one!), but isn’t it too late to teach him how to be a friend? Should I worry?

Answer:  The social–emotional development of a gifted child can be very difficult and should be a primary concern for parents. Coaching your child in how to develop friendships is very useful and effective. Also, gifted children often do better if they have other gifted children to play with or adults who encourage their interests. Don’t leave your child’s socialization to chance. Set up social situations or excursions where your child has to interact with peers and adults.

Radio Interviews

I did a great show with Judith Leblein on November 13, The World According to Judith, WCTC 1450AM in New Jersey!

and Columbia, MO, KCXL-AM/”Jonne Family Show” w/Jonne Santoli. Live AM Drive, November 17

I am scheduled for a 22 minute interview with Lee Michaels on “Live with Lee”, CHOK-AM radio on Friday, December 8 at 11:06 a.m. Pacific Time (2:06 p.m. Eastern) in Ontario, Canada

Billings, MT, KBUL-AM/”The Morning Bulletin” w/Tommy B, Live, AM Drive, December 11

South Bend, IN., WTRC-AM/ “At Your Service”w/ Bill Dean, Live, Middays, December 11

I am scheduled for a 10 minute interview on Tron Talk with Tron Simpson on KCMN-AM and KCBR-AM on Tuesday, December 12 at 6:05 a.m. Pacific Time (7:05 a.m. MT) Colorado Springs, CO

Salt Lake City, UT., KTKK-AM/”Lights On Network” w/Linda Strasburg. Live, Afternoon, December 13

Live interview scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 13th, at 2:30 p.m. Pacific time, for 30 minutes. The interviewer is Ken Johannessen and his show is the Two O'Clock Show. The station is in Seattle/Tacoma/Wenatchee, KPQ-AM

And I am scheduled for a 5 minute taped interview on KYW-AM, the #1 station in Philadelphia, PA in the #4 market in the country, on Friday, December 15 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (11:00 a.m. ET).
     It will be aired a day or two later during morning drive, The Opening Bell”w/Don Lancer

And an interview on The Idea Exchange with Jim Stowell on WBEV-AM on Tuesday, December 19th at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (10:00 a.m. CT) for 10 – 12 minutes, Milwaukee, WI

Only two photos from the Dutton book signing have been uploaded, but they are good ones. Take a look here:

http://drbarbaraklein.squarespace.com/display/ShowGallery?moduleId=896799&galleryId=42157 

Thank you to the good folks at Dutton's Brentwood and all my friends and family who helped make this a special day.

A Review of Raising Gifted Kids from Louise Copeland

Dr. Barbara Klein’s book should serve as a bible to all parents who are raising gifted children.
    As a gifted coordinator for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 12 years, I have many wonderful experiences working with gifted children and their parents. I found most gifted children possess all or many of the characteristics that Dr. Klein describes in her book. Quotes from parents about their gifted children are insightful and helpful. They suggest a way to work with gifted children.
    Dr. Klein possess a unique ability to help parents of gifted children reach their potential. Her strategies and examples are very helpful. Read this book—you will be informed, happy and find your job of parenting so much easier.
    Dr. Klein is distinct and she will make the communication process easier.

—Louise Copeland, teacher 35 years LAUSD; 12 years Gifted Coordinator and Reading Specialist; Private Tutor, Brentwood, CA

Thank you to each person who has made the effort to attend one of my book readings or helped in any way to make this project better. There are lots of helpers!

And here's a new link if you want to buy Raising Gifted Kids: 

http://drbarbaraklein.squarespace.com/buy-my-book-at-amazon/

Then you can click on the book and go to Amazon directly. 

New Book Is Out There 

Please take the time to read my new book—Raising Gifted Kids—my labor of love based on all of my 30 years of experience working with gifted children and their families. I know that you will better understand how to interact with your child and how to be a more effective (and happier!) parent after completing the book.

A Support Group 

I want to start a education support group for parents based on Raising Gifted Kids. Each week we will cover two chapters of the book. This group would meet once a week for 4 weeks.
    If you are interested please email me at DrBarbaraKlein@aol.com or BarbaraK360@aol.com and give me some possible dates and times that are good for you.

And thank you for buying the book! 

I'm speaking at Franklin Elementary School in Santa Monica Tues. Sept. 19 at 7:00PM. Stay tuned for further details!

Discussion and Book Signing / Education Appreciation Week

Tuesday, Oct. 17 at 7 pm

Borders Bookstore
475 S. Lake Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91101