What is Gifted?
Giftedness is a marriage of ability and motivation - Bill Hendricks
What does "gifted" mean?
The state of Colorado provides the following definition of gifted students:
"Gifted and talented children" means those persons between the ages of five and twenty-one whose abilities, talents, and potential for accomplishment are so exceptional or developmentally advanced that they require special provisions to meet their educational programming needs. Children under five who are gifted may also be provided with early childhood special educational services.”
Gifted students include gifted students with disabilities (i.e. twice-exceptional) and students with exceptional abilities or potential from all socio-economic and ethnic, cultural populations. Gifted students are capable of high performance, exceptional production, or exceptional learning behavior by virtue of any or a combination of these areas of giftedness:
● General intellectual ability
● Specific academic aptitude: reading, writing, math, science, social studies, world languages
● Creative thinking
● Leadership abilities
● Visual arts, performing arts, musical or psychomotor abilities
Often bright students – those who are motivated, high achievers – are thought to be gifted by their parents and teachers. However, a truly gifted student will demonstrate certain unique characteristics.
Bright Child vs Gifted Child - Psychology Today article
You know your child is gifted when . . . your 5-year-old gives you permission to use the dictionary during Scrabble. Or your 8-year-old solves your computer problems. Parenting a gifted child can be a mixed blessing. It helps to know what to look for, what to expect, and what other parents have experienced. This lighthearted introduction to life with a gifted child is a great place to start. Perfect for parents, it’s also recommended for teachers, childcare providers, counselors, and others who work with children in grades PreK–4.
If you think your child is gifted...
If you think your child’s behaviors match characteristics of gifted children, please contact the gifted and talented coordinator your child's teacher, or the school principal for more information on the referral and identification process.
