How do we define “giftedness?” What does it mean to have a child that has been identified as gifted? Our culture would lead you to believe a few myths about what a gifted child is. A gifted child is not a nerd. A gifted child does not always “have it in the bag.” A gifted child is not always self directed. A gifted child does not necessarily have fewer problems than others. A gifted child is not always a high achiever. These are a few myths about gifted children that are present in our current culture. Let’s debunk some of them.
1. A common misconception about gifted children is that someone who has been identified as gifted will always have their life together and have fewer problems. This is not always true. Just because a child is gifted does not mean that they will have it together all the time. They will go through many of the same struggles that all children face. Because gifted children are so complex, intense, and intelligent, they see things in different ways which can lead to social and academic problems that other students aren’t facing. People may require more of them which is not always fair.
2. Gifted children may not always be self directed in the common sense of the word. A gifted child may find a problem and stick to it for a length of time because of the intense and complex way they think about the problem. This can sometimes lead them to neglect other issues surrounding the problem that they are working on. They may need help redirecting and refocusing.
3. Gifted children and high achievement in all areas do not always go hand in hand. A child who is gifted is not necessarily gifted across the board — this is the biggest misconception. Most children who are gifted tested high in a few key areas. For example, a child who is solving high school level math problems with ease may not always have the same success in writing. A child who can write and use the English language with the skill of Ernest Hemingway, may be struggling with their multiplication facts. This is normal and 100 percent okay.
Gifted children may score several grade levels higher on examinations, may complain of boredom in regular school classes, or may even have trouble developing socially if academic development outweighs it. It is important to debunk myths, however, to define giftedness as a whole and to best understand the needs and talents of gifted children.
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