Gifted 101 -- Getting to Know and Understand Gifted Children
People tell you that your child is smart. You think so too. But how smart? Is your child gifted or just bright? Is there a difference? Find out as you learn how the experts define giftedness. Explore the characteristics of gifted children and learn how to use them to determine if your child is gifted.
Myths about gifted children abound. Learn what these myths are and how they may be affecting the way your gifted child is treated.
Myths about gifted children abound. Learn what these myths are and how they may be affecting the way your gifted child is treated.
Quick Test for Giftedness
You don't know what to make of your child. His behavior is puzzling and frustrating. Sometimes you wonder if he has ADHD, ODD, OCD, sensory integration disorder, or some other disorder or syndrome. You wonder if he has a learning disability. Or maybe, you think, he is lazy and irresponsible. Maybe, however, your child is gifted.
You don't know what to make of your child. His behavior is puzzling and frustrating. Sometimes you wonder if he has ADHD, ODD, OCD, sensory integration disorder, or some other disorder or syndrome. You wonder if he has a learning disability. Or maybe, you think, he is lazy and irresponsible. Maybe, however, your child is gifted.
Creating Gifted Children - Nature or Nurture?
Many people believe that it is possible to create a gifted child by providing the right instruction and nurturing. Is it really possible to create a gifted child? Or are gifted children simply born that way?
Many people believe that it is possible to create a gifted child by providing the right instruction and nurturing. Is it really possible to create a gifted child? Or are gifted children simply born that way?
Reflections of Giftedness in Harry Potter
Everyone loves Harry Potter and his friends, but how many people recognize the gifted behaviors, problems, and concerns of gifted children that are reflected in the Harry Potter stories?
Everyone loves Harry Potter and his friends, but how many people recognize the gifted behaviors, problems, and concerns of gifted children that are reflected in the Harry Potter stories?
Gifted Children and Language Development
One characteristic of gifted children is advanced language ability, which means these children reach developmental milestones relating to language earlier than developmental charts would indicate. This means that gifted children tend to talk earlier, have larger vocabularies, and use longer sentences than non-gifted children.
One characteristic of gifted children is advanced language ability, which means these children reach developmental milestones relating to language earlier than developmental charts would indicate. This means that gifted children tend to talk earlier, have larger vocabularies, and use longer sentences than non-gifted children.
High Achievers, Gifted Learners, and Creative Thinkers
The number one question asked by parents of advanced children is whether their child is gifted or "just" bright. They also may question whether their child is gifted if he or she is not excelling in school. How can we understand the difference between high achievers and gifted children? Or are they the same?
The number one question asked by parents of advanced children is whether their child is gifted or "just" bright. They also may question whether their child is gifted if he or she is not excelling in school. How can we understand the difference between high achievers and gifted children? Or are they the same?
Chart Comparing High Achievers, Gifted Learners, or Creative Thinkers
The number one question asked by parents of advanced children is whether their child is gifted or "just" bright. They also may question whether their child is gifted if he or she is not excelling in school. Here is a chart that can help parents understand the differences, not only between high achievers and gifted children, and also between gifted and creative learners.
The number one question asked by parents of advanced children is whether their child is gifted or "just" bright. They also may question whether their child is gifted if he or she is not excelling in school. Here is a chart that can help parents understand the differences, not only between high achievers and gifted children, and also between gifted and creative learners.
A Response to the "All Children are Gifted" Comment
Why do so many people believe that "all children are gifted"? Michael Clay Thompson provides some reasons and eloquently responds to the comment.
Why do so many people believe that "all children are gifted"? Michael Clay Thompson provides some reasons and eloquently responds to the comment.
Is My Child Gifted?
"Is my child gifted?" That is a question many parents ask. Parents looking for an answer to that question need to consider several different factors.
"Is my child gifted?" That is a question many parents ask. Parents looking for an answer to that question need to consider several different factors.
Polls for Parents of Gifted Children
How do your views and opinions match up with those of other parents of gifted children? Find out by taking one or more of the polls. These polls range from questions about ADHD to supersensitivities to wish lists for teachers.
How do your views and opinions match up with those of other parents of gifted children? Find out by taking one or more of the polls. These polls range from questions about ADHD to supersensitivities to wish lists for teachers.
What is a Gifted Child?
Defining what it means to be gifted is extremely difficult. Numerous definitions have been suggested, but none of them seem to capture the essence of giftedness in a way that satisfies everyone.
Defining what it means to be gifted is extremely difficult. Numerous definitions have been suggested, but none of them seem to capture the essence of giftedness in a way that satisfies everyone.
Characteristics of Gifted Children
Parents often notice that their child is not quite like other children, but they just as often question what those differences mean. They know their child is smart, but gifted? Looking at a list of gifted traits or characteristics is a quick first step in determining whether a child is gifted.
Parents often notice that their child is not quite like other children, but they just as often question what those differences mean. They know their child is smart, but gifted? Looking at a list of gifted traits or characteristics is a quick first step in determining whether a child is gifted.
Developmental Milestones - Three Months to Five Years
The advanced development of gifted children is easier for parents and others to understand if they are familiar with typical childhood development.
The advanced development of gifted children is easier for parents and others to understand if they are familiar with typical childhood development.
Different Perspectives on the Term Gifted
People use the term gifted all the time, but are they all talking about the same thing? No one definition of gifted exists, so it's quite likely that they aren't! Learn where this term came from and how the history of its use led to the various views of gifted that we have today.
People use the term gifted all the time, but are they all talking about the same thing? No one definition of gifted exists, so it's quite likely that they aren't! Learn where this term came from and how the history of its use led to the various views of gifted that we have today.
What is a Gifted Child?
This article goes well beyond a simple list of gifted characteristics. It discusses giftedness in terms of truth, beauty, and goodness, and also provides some historical context. Through examples, it puts you into the mind of a gifted child to understand their feelings and frustrations.
This article goes well beyond a simple list of gifted characteristics. It discusses giftedness in terms of truth, beauty, and goodness, and also provides some historical context. Through examples, it puts you into the mind of a gifted child to understand their feelings and frustrations.
Gifted or Bright?
One of the questions parents of gifted children ask most often is whether or not their child is really gifted or just bright. Here's a quick comparison of the characteristics of bright children and gifted children.
One of the questions parents of gifted children ask most often is whether or not their child is really gifted or just bright. Here's a quick comparison of the characteristics of bright children and gifted children.
What the Experts Tell Us about Gifted Students
This article is an excellent overview of what experts have to say on just about everything concerning gifted children: acceleration, adult achievement, early college, early years, educational advocacy, social and emotional, family, IQ and testing, and parenting.
This article is an excellent overview of what experts have to say on just about everything concerning gifted children: acceleration, adult achievement, early college, early years, educational advocacy, social and emotional, family, IQ and testing, and parenting.
Myths and Truths About Gifted Kids
The Family Education Web site explains the myths and truths about gifted children identified by The Council for Exceptional Children.
The Family Education Web site explains the myths and truths about gifted children identified by The Council for Exceptional Children.