Preparing Your Child for a Gifted Assessment: What Parents Should Do (and What to Avoid!)
If you think your child might be gifted, you may be considering a gifted assessment to better understand their abilities and figure out how to best support them. These assessments provide valuable insights into your child’s cognitive strengths, learning needs, and their suitability for programs designed for gifted learners.
As a parent, you play a key role in helping your child feel calm, confident, and ready for the process, but it’s important to strike the right balance. This guide will walk you through what to do and what to avoid as you prepare your child for a gifted assessment in Calgary or elsewhere in Alberta.
Why Preparation Matters
A gifted assessment isn’t something your child needs to “study” for, but your approach as a parent can significantly affect their experience and performance.
The goal is to:
Reduce anxiety so your child feels comfortable and calm going into the appointment.
Give them a realistic understanding of what to expect.
Ensure the results reflect their true abilities, not influenced by nerves or pressure.
What to Do Before a Gifted Assessment
1. Talk About It Positively
Explain the assessment in simple, reassuring language that your child will understand.
For younger children - “You’ll get to do puzzles, answer questions, and play some games”
For older children - “The assessment helps us figure out what kind of learning is best for you and what you’re really good at.”
Both of these statements set the stage for a fun and exciting experience, takes away pressure, reduces anxieties, and helps your child look forward to the experience.
2. Focus on Rest and Routine
A well-rested, calm child will perform better than one who is tired or rushed. Some helpful things you can do ahead of time include:
Get plenty of sleep the night before.
Eat a balanced breakfast or lunch before the appointment.
Avoid scheduling the assessment after a big event like a sports tournament, late-night activity, or a full day of school.
3. Encourage a Calm Morning
The hours leading up to the assessment help set the tone for the appointment. As much as possible, try to:
Keep the morning relaxed and low-stress.
Leave plenty of time to get ready so no one feels rushed.
Bring a familiar snack, water bottle, and comfort item if needed.
4. Share the Basics — But Not the Details!
Tell your child what they might see:
Puzzles, questions, patterns, and memory games.
Activities where they work independently, without your help.
But be sure to avoid giving specific examples of test questions or practicing actual test material. Doing this can invalidate the results and creates unnecessary anxiety for your child.
5. Offer Support Without Pressure
Children pick up on parental expectations. It’s important to emphasize effort over performance:
Avoid comparing your child to siblings or peers.
Stay neutral about the outcome; the goal is understanding, not a score.
“Just try your best - that’s all that matters” is positive reassurance that can help soothe any pre-assessment jitters.
What NOT to Do Before a Gifted Assessment
Don’t Overhype the Assessment
When parents say things like:
“This will show how smart you are.”
“We need you to do really well today.”
…children can feel intense pressure, which may lead to nervousness during testing.
Instead, keep it low-key and curious:
“We’re just learning more about how you think and learn.”
2. Don’t Schedule The Assessment During Stressful Times
Try to avoid booking the assessment:
During busy school exam weeks.
Immediately after a major life change (e.g., moving, family stress).
When your child is sick or overtired.
Optimal timing helps ensure reliable results.
3. Don’t Practice Test Questions
It might seem helpful to prepare with IQ test workbooks or online puzzles, but this can actually harm the accuracy of the assessment.
Psychologists need to see natural problem-solving skills, not memorized answers.
Practicing can create test anxiety or give a false impression of abilities.
On The Day of the Assessment
Here’s what you can expect:
You’ll meet with the psychologist first to discuss your child’s background and learning history.
Your child will spend time one-on-one with the psychologist, completing a series of activities and puzzles.
Sessions typically last 2–3 hours, with breaks as needed.
After testing, the psychologist will score the assessment and meet with you again to review the results.
After the Assessment
Once it’s done, keep things positive and neutral:
Thank your child for their effort.
Plan a fun, low-key reward like going to the park or sharing a special treat.
Avoid focusing on the score and instead, highlight how the process helps you understand them better.
Our Final Thoughts
Preparing your child for a gifted assessment is all about creating a calm, supportive environment. When children feel safe and relaxed, their true abilities shine through, giving you accurate insights into their learning profile.
At Bluebird Psychology, we specialize in gifted assessments and psychoeducational evaluations for children in Calgary and the surrounding areas. If you have questions, please contact us at office@bluebirdpsychology.ca. You can also schedule your assessment online here!
