Education for Gifted and Talented Children

Abstract

‘Gifted children’ are those who are academically precocious, learn rapidly and easily, and comprehend new concepts at advanced, abstract and theoretical levels. ‘Talented children’ are those who show advanced ability or proficiency in a particular area of the arts, academic domains, social and/or leadership skills, or vocational abilities. Gifted and talented children need and profit from accelerated and advanced learning experiences commensurate with their levels of giftedness and/or talent. Those learning experiences call for special curricula and teachers able to instruct at gifted and talented students' levels of achievement and speed of learning. Such children profit from association in learning activities with other students of similar giftedness and/or talent. Parents also play key roles in the lives of gifted and talented children, and role models may have powerful influences on the development of gifts and talents, especially as motivators for high-level achievement and the attainment of excellence in specific fields. Major problems of gifted and talented children are negative peer influences, impoverished home environments, early and persistent underachievement, and lack of supportive role models.