“What Should We Tell Our Gifted Child?”

An important question for parents is whether to tell their child he/she is gifted. Experts disagree on exactly how much to tell children about being gifted, but generally agree that something should be said. Most gifted children already know they are different from their age mates. It is important that gifted children learn that their differences do not make them more valuable or “better” than others – just different!

Intellectual and Academic Giftedness

Most experts feel that gifted children do not need to know specific test scores or identification information. They do need to know that they learn and think differently than other children. Intellectually and academically gifted students retain more background knowledge so they are able to make more connections to new learning. They are capable of learning new material faster, at a more complex level, and make application more readily than most people. They are able to recognize and solve more complicated problems and understand higher level material more easily than others. Intellectually and academically gifted students need to understand that because of these differences, more will be expected of them in school. They also need to know, that just because they are gifted, everything will not be easy, they will not know everything, and they will not be expected to be perfect. Intellectually and academically gifted students will need to learn study skills and how to produce quality work along with their peers!

Creative Thinking Giftedness

Gifted creative thinkers need to understand that the difference in their brains involves the ability to generate multiple new ideas, transform or piggyback on others’ ideas, and quickly change their direction of thinking. Creative thinking gifted students need to learn that when others cannot come up with as many ideas as fast as they can, it is due to the difference in there creative abilities. Creative thinkers may get frustrated with the constant repetition needed by other students to learn concepts. Creative thinking students need to learn to ask for different options to keep learning novel, but to also be patient when the classroom structure does not allow for variety.

Leadership Giftedness

Students who are gifted in Leadership need to understand that all people do not pick up social clues and understand the needs of others as intuitively as they do. Much is expected of students gifted in leadership. The world, our communities, and our schools, need good leaders. Students gifted in leadership need to be aware that they will be looked up to by their peers and called into leadership roles by their teachers.

Visual and Performing Arts Giftedness

Students who are identified in the visual and performing arts areas have demonstrated innate talent. This must be followed with continual learning, discipline, and hard work. Also, students who are gifted in the visual and performing arts need to understand that the arts give joy and meaning to life. There will be frustration when students hit difficult challenges, but there will also be joy when those challenges have been surmounted!

Finally, there is an old adage “If you don’t use it, you will loose it!” This is true of gifted abilities in all areas of giftedness. IQ drops if it is not used, memories fade if not used, inventiveness disappears if not used, working with people becomes more difficult if not used, and the arts get rusty if not used. Great ability comes with great responsibility. However, gifted students need down time, time to explore on their own, freedom to enjoy easy material as well as difficult challenges. Balance is the key. Encourage, but do not push. Provide a variety of options and resources. Model the joy of learning!