Myths About Gifted KidsFrom Delisle and Galbraith's (2002) When Gifted Kids Don't Have All the Answers (p. 27-30):
Myth: Gifted kids will succeed in life no matter what. Fact: Everyone needs some help to make the most of their abilities. Maybe gifted kids appear to have it together when they're younger, but as time goes on and work gets more challenging, they may have a tough time. |
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Myth: Gifted kids should love school, get high grades, and greet each new school day with enthusiasm.
Fact: Many gifted kids are stuck in classrooms geared toward average learners -- it's hard to get excited about another boring day.
Myth: Gifted kids are good at everything they do.
Fact: Just like other kids, gifted kids have some things they're really good at and some things they may not be. Some gifted students may even have learning differences, which means they might not be very good at schoolwork.
Myth: Gifted kids have pushy parents.
Fact: Some do, some don't. Some parents are worried about their students getting the very best education, and are quite vocal about it. Others worry about rocking the boat, so stay quiet.
Myth: Teachers love having gifted students in their classes.
Fact: Some do, some don't. Certain teachers feel uncomfortable with gifted students and get defensive when they suspect that their students know more than they do. (To find out how you feel about having gifted kids in your class, take this Teacher Inventory.)
Myth: Gifted kids have trouble adjusting to school and forming friendships.
Fact: Some do, some don't -- just like other kids.
Myth: Gifted kids don't know they're "different" unless somebody tells them.
Fact: Most gifted kids don't need to be identified or labeled before they know that they're not quite like their age peers.
Myth: Gifted kids are equally mature in all areas -- academic, physical, social and emotional.
Fact: Wouldn't that be nice! In fact, asynchronous development is common among gifted students.
Myth: Gifted kids need to go through school with kids their own age.
Fact: THey may need to play with them and interact socially with them, but they don't necessarily need to learn with them. For the child who started reading at age four, a first-grade reading class can be torture.
Myth: All children are gifted.
Fact: All children are special. All children have value. But some children have exceptional abilities -- they can do advanced calculus in the sixth grade, or read high school level books while in elementary school, or play professional baseball. These are the children defined as gifted and talented under the law.
Fact: Many gifted kids are stuck in classrooms geared toward average learners -- it's hard to get excited about another boring day.
Myth: Gifted kids are good at everything they do.
Fact: Just like other kids, gifted kids have some things they're really good at and some things they may not be. Some gifted students may even have learning differences, which means they might not be very good at schoolwork.
Myth: Gifted kids have pushy parents.
Fact: Some do, some don't. Some parents are worried about their students getting the very best education, and are quite vocal about it. Others worry about rocking the boat, so stay quiet.
Myth: Teachers love having gifted students in their classes.
Fact: Some do, some don't. Certain teachers feel uncomfortable with gifted students and get defensive when they suspect that their students know more than they do. (To find out how you feel about having gifted kids in your class, take this Teacher Inventory.)
Myth: Gifted kids have trouble adjusting to school and forming friendships.
Fact: Some do, some don't -- just like other kids.
Myth: Gifted kids don't know they're "different" unless somebody tells them.
Fact: Most gifted kids don't need to be identified or labeled before they know that they're not quite like their age peers.
Myth: Gifted kids are equally mature in all areas -- academic, physical, social and emotional.
Fact: Wouldn't that be nice! In fact, asynchronous development is common among gifted students.
Myth: Gifted kids need to go through school with kids their own age.
Fact: THey may need to play with them and interact socially with them, but they don't necessarily need to learn with them. For the child who started reading at age four, a first-grade reading class can be torture.
Myth: All children are gifted.
Fact: All children are special. All children have value. But some children have exceptional abilities -- they can do advanced calculus in the sixth grade, or read high school level books while in elementary school, or play professional baseball. These are the children defined as gifted and talented under the law.