All Children Are Gifted - MYTH #2

by guest contributor Joy Arnett, Gifted Educator

MYTH:  All children are gifted

FACT: All children have strengths and positive attributes. But not all children are gifted in the educational sense of the word. The label "gifted" in a school setting means that when compared to others his or her age or grade, a child has an advanced capacity to learn and apply what is learned in one or more subject areas, or in the performing or fine arts. This advanced capacity requires modifications to the regular curriculum to ensure these children are challenged and learn new material. Gifted does not connote good or better; it is a term that allows students to be identified for services that meet their unique learning needs. (NAGC –http://www.nagc.org/commonmyths.aspx#all_children_gifted)

The best statement I ever heard on this topic was this - All children are talented. Not all children are gifted. All of us have at least one talent or something we are good at. Not all of us are gifted. Gifted means that we have an advanced capacity to learn or perform. One is not better because he or she is gifted. One just has a need for differentiated types of learning because of the way their brain thinks, learns and performs.

The gifted brain is actually shaped differently than a normal brain. I've also heard it described that a normal brain is like a two-lane highway. A gifted brain is like a 4-8-lane highway. The gifted brain can absorb information much faster and can retain more information than the normal or typical brain. Once again... this is not necessarily better just different.

A couple of my favorite books concerning the gifted child are, There are Those by Nathan Levy and Janet Pica which is a short and wonderful book that describes the gifted child beautifully.  Another fabulous book called Archibald Frisby, by Michael Chesworth, describes a gifted brain in such a fun and entertaining way.

Being a gifted child has its rewards and challenges. I'd like to share with you some thoughts from gifted children that I’ve collected over the years…

• "I do things to go along with the crowd--- like asking questions I already know the answers to, just so they will treat me like one of them."
• "Why do I have to be gifted? I was happier when I was normal."
• "I wish my teachers understood that being gifted doesn't mean I'm good at everything. Not even close."
• "You shouldn't have to prove your giftedness to your friends or teachers."
• "If I want people to understand me, I need to try to understand them."
• “Being gifted means I look at the world differently than some of my friends. It also means that some people are going to assume that I never have to work hard. And the truth is I work really, really hard at things. And, I hate it when, after working so hard, I don't do well."
• “Never think that because you are smart, you are a nerd.  You are whoever you want to be.”
• “My goal this year is to embrace my gift instead of keeping it on the down low.”
• “I really like being gifted. I mean, the work is more interesting in school, my friends and I all seem to get along, and things are just…good.  But I still have to remind myself to relax.  That part will probably always be hard.”
•  “Finally…I found other kids like me!”

Being gifted comes with responsibilities.  Five things that a gifted child must do are:

1. Recognize and accept that their level of intellectual or artistic ability is not shared by everyone…that they are, indeed different (most gifted children know they are different by the age of five).

2. Understand that they may need more time alone than other children do (and be supported by adults who understand this as well).

3.  Learn to build relationships with other people, many of whom do not share their abilities and interests.

4.  Learn how to use their abilities well, even when doing so sets them apart from many others.

5. Learn to take responsibility for finding ways to satisfy their intellectual curiosity and to express their creativity.

Are all children gifted?  No, but they are all unique and have a very special purpose in the talents and gifts they do have. It is our responsibility as teachers and parents to help all children discover their wonderful talents and gifts and to help them share those talents and gifts with their fellow man because that is where real happiness can be found.