Many people assume that children who have been labeled "gifted and talented" are total brainiacs, with a sky-high IQ. But that's not always the case. These kids - also often called "high potential students" - have a wide range of common traits, from an intense interest in creating music to being an avid reader. Yes, they're typically very smart but it's not the only quality that makes a kid "gifted." Check out this web site, with a checklist of common characteristics among these wonder kids!

If you suspect your child falls into this category, your child's school should be able to test him or her for confirmation. And why is it important to know? To start, gifted and talented kids often get left in the dust. Many schools offer a gifted program, with one or two occasions a week when G&T kids can learn together with a specially trained teacher. However, research has shown gifted students actually get less attention in the main classroom than their peers because teachers assume they don't need help or support. High potentials can also become easily unmotivated if their schoolwork isn't challenging enough to keep them engaged. And, as a concerned/involved/proactive parent (you wouldn't be here if you weren't!), you know how important it is to nurture and encourage your child's unique gifts. Before you check out the resources below, get inspired by reading the Gifted Children's Bill of Rights.


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National Association for Gifted Children
Gifted Children Monthly 
Neag Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development at the University of Connecticut
American Association for Gifted Children at Duke University
Prufrock Press Gifted Education Blog
Project GiftED
Teacher Magazine's Unwrapping the Gifted Blog
The Gifted Teen Coach

More Resources

Media for Parents

Webinars on Wednesday
A weekly online discussion from the National Association for Gifted Children

Parenting for High Potentials
Quarterly magazine

Articles

A.P. article on the disparities of gifted education in schools
Good interview with gifted education advocate Sylvia Rimm
Top Toys & Games for Gifted Kids