If you think it’s confusing that some kids you know have been called “gifted,” you’re not alone. Most adults are confused, too! I think the reason people are confused is because of a poor word choice.
“Gifted” makes it sound like no one else has gifts, which is absolutely untrue!
Let’s look at another “gift”
Here’s an analogy:
Imagine you developed extra-long legs in comparison to the average when you’re 9 years old. When you are 10, maybe it becomes clear on field day that you can run faster than most other kids. When you get into middle school, there’s a track team and you’re encouraged to join it. When you’re in high school, maybe you get onto a special competitive team and get some different coaching than other kids.
You can think of gifted brains as brains that have a different-from-average learning attribute, just like a physical attribute. The “long legs” of a gifted brain might be an ability to do math more quickly, or remember any information it sees in written form. There are lots of kinds of gifted brains!
Is “gifted” a value judgment?
It’s not supposed to be a value judgment. If you know any gifted kids, or if you are one, you know that they are people just like anyone else, with their strengths and weaknesses. People struggle in different areas and people excel in different areas. Diversity is a great strength of the human race, a great strength that we should celebrate!
Why are people uncomfortable with giftedness?
It seems weird, doesn’t it? People aren’t uncomfortable that there’s a kid with long legs who becomes a great runner. They’re not uncomfortable with someone who loves art so much they become a great painter.
But people are definitely uncomfortable with the idea that there are “smart kids.” And because people are uncomfortable, sometimes they don’t talk about it, or they say giftedness doesn’t exist, even though it’s obvious that it does.
I think people are uncomfortable with it because it seems like a value judgment. That word was a terrible choice! The fact is, all people, even people who are developmentally disabled and can’t do basic math, are precious and important.
Can gifted people have disabilities, too?
Yup! There’s even a word for it: twice-exceptional. A person who is a gifted learner can also have a physical disability (like blindness), a learning disability (like dyslexia), or an emotional disability (like severe anxiety).
What do gifted kids need?
First, just like all kids, gifted kids need to know that other kids accept them.
Second, just like all kids, gifted kids need to learn in environments that work for them.
Third, just like all kids, gifted kids need to work to develop their areas of strength as well as their areas of weakness!
We’re all human
We’re all important.
We’re all precious.
So let’s appreciate each other’s gifts!
Child photo by Bianca Berndt on Unsplash. Thumbs and racing photos by Markus Spiske on Unsplash