Myths About Giftedness

(by Otto Schmidt, Gifted Programming Consultant, Toronot, Canada)

These myths would never be applied to a superstar athlete.  Why would anybody say them about gifted children?

Myth:  Gifted children are so smart that they don't need help in their learning.

Eveyone needs help at some time, even gifted kids.  We all need encouragement, motivation, interesting learning and caring people in our lives.  At any age, we all still have lots to learn.  Being gifted is sometimes a real burden for children especially when they haven't learned the essential skills of how to learn.  They may lack social skills as well.  Being given things to learn and being taught how to learn are two very different concepts.

Myth:  Gifted children miss out when they leave their regular classroom for their special classes or go to meet a facilitator.

Most gifted children can process information much faster and to a greater depth than other students.  For many, missing out on a lesson is perhaps a minor inconvenience.  They get caught up later.  Usually, very little is lost.  The amount of time away from regular classes can become an issue when lessons are not reviewed or not even mentioned to the students when they return to class.

Myth:  Special programs for gifted children are elitist.

Don't we do the same thing for talented musicians and athletes?  Many teachers group their students for certain classroom activities.  Gifted children need to see that they are not alone.  Many can relate well to peers who are less able, but shouldn't they also experience the challenge of relating to other exceptional learners like themselves?  They need to share experiences and work with others who are perhaps even more intelligent.  Eliminating special programming would deny their differences and suggest that all people should conform to a norm.  Try that with a star basketball player!

Myth:  Gifted children get stuck up and then have trouble getting along with peers.

It may be surprising that many gifted children find it difficult to be gifted in their schools.  Rather than flaunting their intelligence, some try to hid as best they can.  Peers call them names - giffers, brainers, gifties, etc.  There is stereotyping to contend with.  Some people can't even say "gifted" without a negative tone of voice.  Interacting with people far below or above ones own level of intelligence or maturity can be as great a challenge to adults as it is for gifted children.

Myth:  Eveyone is gifted.

Many people are skilled and able.  Some people, however, do stand out.  Why?  Because they can do things far better than others.  This is where gifted people fit in.  Is every science student going to become an Einstein?  No.  Will all people become masters and famous at comething?  No.  Many ordinary people will always do things in ordinary ways.  Let us cherish and nurture the ones whose gifts are greater.  They have a greater chance of being our great leaders, musicians, inventors, humanists, writers, adventure, and others.  Most of us will never be able to achieve at that level.  But there are some gifted people that can!  Shouldn't we be nurturing them?

Myth:  All children deserve the same learning as gifted children get.

Yes!  Very true.  But gifted children do not deserve only what all children get.  The skills and concepts in gifted education can be provided to everybody.  Average children, however, often cannot handle the greater learning load or the speed at which the teaching or learning goes on.  The intention of gifted programming is to simply meet the higher level of needs of highly intelligent children, not provide something elitist or exclusive to them.