Is Your Child Gifted and Talented? Who Cares?
While the title may seem harsh, it's certainly something to think about. In my single parenting days, I remember telling a wealthy acquaintance about my children participating in an up coming talent show. I was so proud of them. Her response? "How nice that they have programs like that for the less fortunate." Her daughter was a child prodigy pianist, of course. She had no need for such programs. It seems in the world of gifted and talented, my kids were far inferior to hers. Really? I bet if I could afford those piano lessons, we could provide her with some crazy competition. Is your child gifted and talented? Who cares?
What happened to equality? Most parents teach their children that we are all created equal. Then we turn around and support this gifted and talented nonsense. All children are gifted and talented in some way. It may not be in the conventional sense. Maybe your child is an expert gardener, sailor or harmonica player, rather than a concert pianist. Maybe they're not gifted and talented, but just fun to be around or interestingly quirky.
What about the others? While we are all busy singing the praises of the gifted and talented, are we leaving the rest of the children in the dust? Perhaps they don't like the taste of that dust. When did we start all this nonsense anyway? When I was a kid, it was shameful to flaunt your talents at the expense of others. It was shameful to put yourself above others. There was a difference between holding your head high and looking down your nose at the world. Good character was far more important than looks, money or talent.
What impression are you giving your gifted and talented child? That some people take precedence over others? That they belong to the gifted and talented elite? That they are somehow better than their less talented classmates? Does that feel right to you? If it does, you need to re-evaluate your thoughts. Every child is gifted and talented in some way. Yours just happens to be conventionally gifted and talented. By putting them on that pedestal, are you sacrificing their character and integrity?
What's wrong with the gifted and talented program? When we put labels on children, aren't we teaching them separation and prejudice? Aren't we reinforcing the concepts of superiority and inferiority? The gifted and talented program is just another way for our society to exclude and belittle its supposedly inferior members. Why not give all our children an equal opportunity to shine? Why do kids have to qualify (as gifted and talented) to live up to their full potential?
What's so bad about being proud of a gifted and talented child? Nothing. Supporting and cheering your child's accomplishments is good for their self esteem. (As long as you don't make it a thorn in someone elses side.) In fact, I have a news flash for my wealthy friend. My kids were officially "gifted and talented". She just didn't bother to do her fact checking. I wasn't the type of person to correct her error in judgment. I just didn't feel right bragging about my kids or placing them above their peers. Is your child gifted and talented? Who cares? In my book, they all are.
More from Jaipi:
Valuable life lessons kids teach parents
Seeing the positive side of tweens
Confession: My worst parenting blunders
Published by Jaipi Sixbear - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
This award winning web writer is co-owner of several writing websites. She's a featured parenting contributor on Yahoo! Shine and Yahoo! Voices. She enjoys helping fellow writers maintain a positive mindset... View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentThe harsh reality is that not all kids can learn at the same rate, so separate classes are a must. My family couldn't afford to send me to any "special" school, so I was put in "special" classes with other accelerated learners. The HARSHER reality is that this can make you the target of abuse from other kids who feel that you must think you are better than they are for being in these classes. Obviously recognizing that everyone has gifts and skills, and they don't all have to be the same gifts and skills, is the key...
I would have punched that woman in the face. Ahem, anyway back to my real comment. I think that it's great that there are "gifted" and "talented" kids out there, but personally I think every kid is talented in their own way. Even the "handicapped" have their own things that make them stand out at their best. These things make me sad. I loved your article though. :]
Excellent... :o)
Great article! :)