CHILDREN
What are the implications of being a Gifted or Talented Child?
Gifted and talented children do not need to have any difficulties at all. For some children it can unfortunately feel something of a burden. These children are ‘different’ and they are often perceived as different. Differences are often the cause of bullying or teasing. They can simply be the basis for the peer group avoiding a child, or not letting them join in. This is not deliberate, the peer group simply do not ‘understand’ the ways and thinking of the gifted child.
The consequences for the child can be very varied. They can become very quiet and withdrawn, having learned that when they come forward this is when their differences show, so they learn to hide their talents and abilities and under-perform.
For some very able children, they can be unaware of their abilities and so say things that again make them different from their peer group. They may ‘talk like an adult’ which means they can appear sarcastic, cheeky or even rude. They do not mean to do this, they are just capable of understanding and using words in advance of their years. What sounds appropriate when spoken by a 17 year old, can sound very inappropriate when said by a 10 year old. This can get them into trouble with their teachers, parents and peers.
It is very important to remember that whilst a child may be talented and able, they will very likely be emotionally developed only to their actual age. So the eight year old can do 14 year old maths, but he or she gets upset about regular things that all eight year olds get upset about. This can be confusing to parents and teachers especially if the actual nature of the child’s abilities is not fully understood. Sometimes an assessment can be very helpful in this respect, as some guidelines and recommendations can made to manage the child more effectively.
At Learning Insights we believe assessment can also be useful if a child is seeming to be put off school, doesn’t want to go, complains of being ‘bored’ and you as a parent or teacher feel the child is capable of more, but for some reason you are not seeing this in their performance. Sometimes a learning difficulty can underlie the child’s distress, even in the most able of children which is often a surprise to parents and teachers.
If any of this rings a bell and is making sense for you, check out Parents, Children + Schools, follow this up with a call to Learning Insights or click on CONTACT US.
A national network of such locally-based organisations can be
contacted at the following address:
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), Elder House, Milton Keynes,
MK9 1LR; phone 01908
673677l; helpline 0870 770 3217; website www.nagcbritain.org.uk
A counselling service is available.