The myth about gifted children

IT HAS BEEN a popular belief that gifted and talented children are able to develop their abilities under any circumstances. Experience and research has shown that they need encouragement and support just as much as, or more than, other children.

Too many of today's gifted and talented children have poor self-esteem or are tragically underachieving. They suffer from varying degrees of emotional, social, and educational deprivation and distress due to a lack of understanding of, and provision for, their needs by those responsible for their care.

Gifted and talented children may come from low socio-economic backgrounds, or from aboriginal, multi-cultural, physically-handicapped and learning-isabled populations.

Gifted and talented children, like all children, must be provided with educational structures, programs and provisions which motivate them to develop their talents and assist them to perform as closely as possible to their optimum levels. These structures, programs and provisions should also be designed to minimise the ill-effects arising from any lack of identification of gifted and talented children or from any lack of recognition of their special needs.

 © NSWAGTC 2007

Jump to... Top | Children Index | Info Centre | NSWAGTC Home

Suggestions? | Like to Help? | Disclaimer | Webmaster | Site maintained for the NSWAGTC by Austega