Any Moms with Gifted and Christian Children?

I think I'd get her involved in activities she enjoys. If she likes soccer, sign her up for a soccer team. If she likes reading, sign her up for a book group at the library. She needs to meet kids that enjoy the the same things. How about karate or girl scouts? How about gymnastics or ceramics? Let her try things that are out of her comfort zone - you might find she might not be great at something, but really enjoys it.
The other kids need to see her as just another kid -- not the smart kid. Sure she's bright and has excellent verbal skills, but when it comes right down to it, she's a 3rd grade girl.
As for Christian friends - that sounds very closed minded - there are very nice Jewish or Hindu children who also make really nice friends. Don't forget that church is full of sinners. The kids that seem so nice in church might not seem so nice if you saw how they act on the playground. I've met some atheists that are far nicer and far more honest people than some so called Christians.
YMMV
LBC

E., I am thinking you isolate yourself and your daughter by secluding yourselves to only Christian. If that is not what you are trying to do, it does sound like it.

You are right not all schools are perfect, but is there something in particular you are looking for, since you mention it?

My daughter always associated better with adults. Since that was the case, I didn't feel I could change that, however I did observe it. At 27, she really much rather be by herself and it is possible that is just how things will be for her. I can't change that and don't feel I could have. She is perfectly happy this way.

You do have to careful she could learn a little too much from the older students, good school or not. At school ages, I don't think they are necessarily respectful of having younger children around and don't always watch what they say (or do) in mixed company.

As for what you can do to help her, I can only say to help her understand to be herself and lover herself for who she is. If she ends up hanging around older children, help her to understand there is an age difference and sometimes they may do things that are not appropriate for her at her age, but when she gets to be that age, she may do [that] too.

We are Christian and have academically gifted children.. My daughters spent two years in a Christian school, a very good one here in Fredericksburg. BUt they do not cater to the child who is gifted. As a first and 2nd grader it was wonderful for my 2nd daughter. For my first daughter who was in 5th and 6h it wasnt so wonderful. Her friends were great, but the academics were very far behind. The foundations were super. The Grammar, she actually had a Grammar class and a Literature class.
She is now in the public schools and has been for 4 years. I find they are much more accommodating to the gifted children.
At home we discuss honestly and Virtues and morals that are important to us, not the rest of the world.
We listen to Christian music and she has gone with the youth group to Christian concerts, Toby MAc, Building 429, Steven Curtis Chapman.
She has been involved with the church's youth since she was baptized at 3 months.
She has older friends, always has. She gets along better with the more mature kids. She also only has one really, really goood friend. She is ok with that and happy. Her friends are like her, grounded, gifted, what one would call good kids.
Encourage friendships at church and those that you know have the same values at school.
Let her know yoour views on the world. She is listening and learnign form you.

No school is "perfect" just as no one is "perfect".

It sounds like she is being isolated. Does she have a chance to be with any classmates and make friends or do you make all these decisions for her?

Sounds like she needs to be a kid and enjoy her life. You can be Christain and still have many friends who are not Christain but are of another faith.

You can't keep her under a rock all her life.... letting go is very hard and it has to be done in small steps. Trust that you have taught her well (by modeling good behavior) and she'll be fine. She is just a 3rd grader....

Get her involved in a church group, sports organization, dance, something. Gifted children need a life, need fun and common sense as well.

As a Christain, I would not be so judgemental of everyone at her school just because they are are all not Christain or "gifted".

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My kids have a hard time socially. My 12 year old we have put him in social groups to help him with his interactions with kids. There are schools that social classes and there are behavioral psychologists that have social groups.
We did a private social group with a therapist in Brecksville over a summer and she did a great job. She is a therapist in a local school district during the school year. Sometimes practicing those techniques can really help a child succeed.

Does your school district have any special resources for gifted children?
Does her school have counselors to work with individuals to help with specific areas of concern?
I have also sent you a note privately.
I have more thoughts I might share . . . . if asked.
S.

I did not take your post to mean that you only wanted "Christian " friends for your daughter as some others did. I inferred that you are raising her with Christian values and beliefs. I am Catholic and even in over-populated New York it's hard to find well-rounded friends for kids to befriend. My daughters are tweens and not into the MTV/VH1 music nor do I allow them to watch some of the shows their peers are watching (Grey's Anatomy, Glee, Private Practice, Desperate Housewives, Law & Order, and in the past "24"). I just feel that at 12 and 10 they are too young for those shows. Even with activities their peers seem " older"...10-12 yr olds hanging out at the mall until closing (10:00pm) on weekdays & weekends, 9:00pm movies at the movie theater, walking into town at those times to get pizza or ice cream....a lot of kids their age don't even participate in sports or a hobby, they just "hang out". My kids play basketball, tennis, track, golf, and are in the girl scouts. They volunteer in the library and in the summer at VBS. The other kids spent the summer in their houses or at the mall/movies or at the swim club (to see the boys). My kids have dwindled down the number of friends they hang out with, not to be closed-minded, but because they are just not into those things. So if they each only have 2 or 3 great friends, they are okay with that....they are happy. They both are Arista students. Use your daughter's interests and talents to find an activity group or sports team to join. The church youth group is usually an excellent experience. Our church doesn't have one for 10-12 yr olds (they start at 14 and go through 17 yrs old), so my kids have joined a youth group at another church. The members of that church are open-minded and accepting of other faiths and my kids have learned about many different religions and know to be accepting of others. She already has a head start with a caring mom....good luck!