Mentoring Gifted Children: Case Studies from the Lens of the Panchakosh

Gifted children possess unique needs and challenges thereby, making nurturing programs, mentoring and counselling essential for them. One barrier in supporting gifted children is their unwillingness to share problems due to fear of being wrongly judged or dismissed. The author uses case studies to highlight how this reluctance can be evaded through access to mentors with whom they have an existing trusting relationship. Four adolescents (2 boys, 2 girls) presenting learning and socio-emotional challenges were supported by their mentor even past schooling years. The session notes of mentor-mentee interactions were analyzed using the lens of Panchakosh (model of human development from Taittiriya Upanishad) to assess their needs, challenges and coping strategies. The case studies reveal the need for sustained support for gifted children beyond nurturing programs and school years.