Facts About Giftedness
What is Giftedness
Gifted students are those who:- Learn at a rate that is different from that of other students
- Crave depth in the academic area of their interest
- Need to be challenged and stimulated intellectually through interactions with other students of similar readiness levels
Myths about Gifted students
- All intelligent behaviors may not always be an indicator of giftedness.
- Getting excellent grades or marks may not be accounted as giftedness.
- Always responding to questions in the class is not a sign of giftedness.
- Asking lots of questions in the class is not giftedness.
- Completing work on time is not giftedness.
- Good memory and recall is not giftedness.
- Peer acceptance is not the sole indicator of giftedness.
- Attentive and active participation in the class is also not equivalent to giftedness.
Difference Between a Bright Child and a Gifted Child
It is really tricky to differentiate between both as they exhibit result-oriented behavior to a great extent. But while dealing with children, one has to be sure about the thin line that separates both the population. Hence, below are some characteristics that may ease the way towards the identification:
|
BRIGHT CHILD |
GIFTED CHILD |
|
Is interested |
Is highly curious |
|
Answers the questions |
Discusses in details |
|
Knows the answers |
Ask questions |
|
Top set |
Beyond the group |
|
Is alert |
Is keen observant |
|
Has good ideas |
Has unusual ideas |
|
Teacher pleasure |
Speaks own mind |
|
Understands ideas |
Construct ideas |
|
Enjoys school |
Enjoys learning |
|
Grasps meaning |
Draws inferences |
|
Enjoys straightforward sequence of leaning |
Thrives for challenging problems |
Why gifted students need an accelerated curriculum?
Gifted children are those who have exceptional abilities and are capable of very high performance. These children require differentiated educational programs, out of their regular school curriculum for maximizing and fulfilling their contribution to knowledge society because of the reason that these potentials can exist in one or more than one domain. These special needs must be supported with the same strength they have and nurtured properly for the optimization of human resources.
If a child has the potential to grasp at a faster pace than usual, then Acceleration allows these children to access higher-level educational programs. It basically acknowledges the potential of a child to reach at a higher level than their peers and provides access to the high-level curriculum in areas of interest or strengths of the child, whereas the same level of instruction for the rest of time is given. Starting school or college level at a very early age, dropping grade(s) in between or taking part in higher grades’ activities are the most common examples of accelerated services.
NEP 2020 on Gifted Education
Support for Gifted Students/Students with Special Talents
The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP-2020) has recognized the need to identify and nurture gifted and talented children beyond the school curriculum. It has given special emphasis to education of gifted and talented, with following visions
- The NCERT and NCTE will develop guidelines for the education of gifted children.
- New B.Ed. programmes with specialization in the education of gifted children.
- Teachers will encourage students with singular interests and/or talents in the classroom by giving them supplementary enrichment material, guidance and encouragement.
- Olympiads and competitions in various subjects will be conducted across the country
- Online apps with quizzes, competitions, assessments, enrichment materials, and online communities for shared interests will be developed as group activities.
- Schools will develop smart classrooms, in a phased manner.
- Topic-centered and Project-based Clubs and Circles will be encouraged and supported at the levels of schools, school complexes, districts, and beyond