Spin off... if your child gifted?

[Magpie]

No, that is not what I am saying at all, but from what the poster posted, he sounds like a bright child, but not gifted. Again, it isn't just about having a high IQ, it is more about how you process that information, it's about "thinking outside of the box", etc. Sure, there are plenty of REALLY smart people out there, but they are still mainstream in their thought processes and are just really smart people, that does not mean they are gifted. The part of the definition that you missed is the "exceptional" part:

ex·cep·tion·al   [ik-sep-shuh-nl] Show IPA
adjective
1.
forming an exception or rare instance; unusual; extraordinary: The warm weather was exceptional for January.
2.
unusually excellent; superior: an exceptional violinist.
3.
Education . (of a child)
a.
being intellectually gifted.
b.
being physically or especially mentally handicapped to an extent that special schooling is required.

In this nephew's case, there are 50 other kids in his class and 100 more in the school just like him, that negates the rare or unusual part. Like I illustrated before, the boy that graduated top of DS19's class, scored 5's on all 27 of the AP tests he took by the end of his sophomore year in high school--that would be exceptional--that is beyond bright/smart. Scoring a 30 on an ACT as a freshman, while good, is not exceptional (rare). That is the difference.

One in a hundred is "rare". One in a thousand is even "rarer".

The nephew is in a specialized class for intellectually and academically gifted youngsters... how does the fact that there are 100 of them make them "not exceptional", when the whole point of the class is attracting exceptional students?

That'd be like saying that Olympic athletes aren't gifted athletes, because there's thousands of them!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Wow. And you girls jump on guys for their pissing contests.

 

[Magpie]

I hate asparagus. Can we go with pie instead?

Sure!

Just so long as it's pie, not cake.

 

[golfgal]

One in a hundred is "rare". One in a thousand is even "rarer".

The nephew is in a specialized class for intellectually and academically gifted youngsters... how does the fact that there are 100 of them make them "not exceptional", when the whole point of the class is attracting exceptional students?

That'd be like saying that Olympic athletes aren't gifted athletes, because there's thousands of them!

There aren't "thousands" of them though, there are a few for each sport-they are gifted or just really good in the sport in which they participate and even then there are levels of just being really, really good and being gifted. You would be hard pressed to put one of the basketball players in the pool with Michael Phelps and have them come close to winning--and the reverse is also true.

 

[Magpie]

There aren't "thousands" of them though, there are a few for each sport-they are gifted or just really good in the sport in which they participate and even then there are levels of just being really, really good and being gifted. You would be hard pressed to put one of the basketball players in the pool with Michael Phelps and have them come close to winning--and the reverse is also true.

My point is, most people would have NO issue with saying that a youngster who is the most valuable player on his team is a "gifted" athlete. Heck, every week our local newspaper profiles young "gifted" athletes in our region! No one writes into the paper saying, "Oh, he's not gifted, he's just really good. Only people like Michael Phelps or Hussain Bolt deserve to be called gifted. So stop saying he's a gifted athlete, because he ain't!"

The Michael Phelps and Hussain Bolts of the world are geniuses. But there are LOTS of gifted athletes, of all ages and level of accomplishment.

If you insist on defining gifted as genius... well, that's when we've got to start talking about asparagus (or pie), because we've STILL got that top one or two percent of students and athletes with high potential and talent who need access to a higher levels of learning and/or competition.

Me, I don't see anything wrong with defining giftedness as "exceptional intelligence", like the dictionary does. One in a hundred is definitely an exception.

 

[bellebud]

BIL is exceptional - tested at 180.

Can't keep a relationship because no one is as smart as him. Can't keep a job because no one is as smart as him - even in the astonishing career he has (literally a ricket scientist type thing). He gets bored easily with everything.

He says it was great as a kid and even in his early 20s. Now he sees it as a curse. MIL always said she used to brag about how smart he was and was so happy-and later in life went through the 'be careful what you wish for stage".


I feel bad for him.

I feel bad for him too... he apparently lacks drive though, even though he's brilliant. Think of Bill Gates... cannot see him working for someone else... he created his own destiny. Your BIL can create his too - he needs to find his way, and working for someone else isn't panning out for him. I forgot to look, I'm assuming you live in the US - anyone here can be anything they want, and the possibilities are endless. If he had the drive and smarts to be an entrepeneur, he'd be soaring. Maybe he still can.

 

[LisaR]

Again, it comes down to the general demographics of the board--most people on this board are professionals with a good career (or spouse of such) where education is important, thus the higher likelihood of getting significant scholarship money to college---that and if you know where to look, the money is out there, a lot of people just don't bother. As far as speeding, etc. I think if you go back and read a lot of posts you will find that most parents here have posted on some bonehead (or not so bonehead) stupid stuff kids do. Also, why is it so hard to believe that there ARE good teenagers in the world and not all of the are speeding, drinking, misbehaving kids??

Do you honestly believe that is why there is a higher percentage of "gifted" kids on the Dis? Seriously? It can't possibly be that some people grossly exaggerate? On the Dis?? Say it isn't so!

The vast majority of kids are tested today compared to when most of us were younger. Most adults over the age of 45 have no clue what their IQ is but most kids 10 and under have had testing in one form or another done. It is like the braces phenomenon. I knew a handful of kids with braces when I was growing up but my kids only have one friend between them who hasn't had braces. Almost everyone gets braces and almost everyone gets tested. The schools need to separate the bottom 10% with the middle of the road kids. And, yes, I firmly believe that 99% of the "gifted" kids are nothing more than middle of the road kids and that includes my son that was labeled "highly gifted." A number on a piece of paper doesn't mean diddly. I know two kids personally that seem to be profoundly gifted. They excel at EVERYTHING they do. Being good at golf is nice but gifted? Really? You're reinventing the word gifted. Hopefully every individual out there has something that they are good at; something they excel at but that doesn't make them gifted.

 

[Magpie]

Do you honestly believe that is why there is a higher percentage of "gifted" kids on the Dis? Seriously? It can't possibly be that some people grossly exaggerate? On the Dis?? Say it isn't so!

The vast majority of kids are tested today compared to when most of us were younger. Most adults over the age of 45 have no clue what their IQ is but most kids 10 and under have had testing in one form or another done. It is like the braces phenomenon. I knew a handful of kids with braces when I was growing up but my kids only have one friend between them who hasn't had braces. Almost everyone gets braces and almost everyone gets tested. The schools need to separate the bottom 10% with the middle of the road kids. And, yes, I firmly believe that 99% of the "gifted" kids are nothing more than middle of the road kids and that includes my son that was labeled "highly gifted." A number on a piece of paper doesn't mean diddly. I know two kids personally that seem to be profoundly gifted. They excel at EVERYTHING they do. Being good at golf is nice but gifted? Really? You're reinventing the word gifted. Hopefully every individual out there has something that they are good at; something they excel at but that doesn't make them gifted.

Nah, they're not gifted. They're just really smart.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I bought my son a new video game this weekend. Does that make him gifted, or do I have to give him to someone to qualify?

 

[golfgal]

Do you honestly believe that is why there is a higher percentage of "gifted" kids on the Dis? Seriously? It can't possibly be that some people grossly exaggerate? On the Dis?? Say it isn't so!

The vast majority of kids are tested today compared to when most of us were younger. Most adults over the age of 45 have no clue what their IQ is but most kids 10 and under have had testing in one form or another done. It is like the braces phenomenon. I knew a handful of kids with braces when I was growing up but my kids only have one friend between them who hasn't had braces. Almost everyone gets braces and almost everyone gets tested. The schools need to separate the bottom 10% with the middle of the road kids. And, yes, I firmly believe that 99% of the "gifted" kids are nothing more than middle of the road kids and that includes my son that was labeled "highly gifted." A number on a piece of paper doesn't mean diddly. I know two kids personally that seem to be profoundly gifted. They excel at EVERYTHING they do. Being good at golf is nice but gifted? Really? You're reinventing the word gifted. Hopefully every individual out there has something that they are good at; something they excel at but that doesn't make them gifted.

I agree and if you read my posts you would see that. I think "gifted" is way over used, however, you don't need to be "gifted" to get a full ride scholarship some where, or even just a bunch of smaller scholarships to pay for your schooling and yes, I think there is a higher percentage of smarter kids on the DIS then you will find in the general public because of the nature of this board and the occupations of the people on this board.

I am not reinventing the word gifted, in fact I posted a definition of the word even. Come talk to her golf coaches, other coaches that have seen her play, she is a natural and that is a gift. It has nothing to do with anything we have done or heck, even most of what SHE has done--it's just there--just like kids that excel at everything-it isn't because they were fed Wheaties as a baby, it's because they were born with that talent.

 

[golfgal]

Nah, they're not gifted. They're just really smart.

Yep for most "gifted" kids that IS the case--have you not read this thread

 

[Swan4Me]

I .of course do. Not have his IQ scores
7th grade was part of the high school orchestra
plays 3 instruments
8th grade worked with local University
designing a competative Gobot ( mini go cart robot)
There is a lot more but I'm on my phone
I don't understand why Golfgal has to
question others opinions of gifted???

 

[bellebud]

Is everyone tested today and there's all this "giftedness" because of how they structure the classrooms (mixing everyone up, mainstreaming?) now as opposed to in the 70's and 80's?

When I went to school, from 1st grade on (until 8th grade), there was the "highest" class, followed in progression to the lowest class, then the "special class". I don't necessarily think for the lower end, this was good. I remember walking by the "special" class - there seemed to be more behavior issues than anything else in there. It was a scary classroom. They had to have a tough teacher to keep the kids under control.

The teachers were able to excel the whole class for the upper ones. No one was pulled out for anything. No need. I'm guessing our whole class (about 30 kids out of 200) were what might be determined today as "gifted". Then I'd guess everyone in the few upper classes were the Regent students in highschool, and the rest were Local students (we live in NY - you got a Regents diploma or a Local diploma).

In hs, there was honor society, for the exceptional students (those who did all their homework, straight A's, no absences, etc). I got a Regents diploma, took some AP courses, but was absent about 30 times a year (skipping with my friends), and failed Spanish II because I was busy talking to my friends in the back of the room.

I'm not saying this way was better or worse - I don't have any data to really research/study that, but I think that's why there are all these extra programs today. We didn't need them back then because of how we were grouped.

 

[Magpie]

Yep for most "gifted" kids that IS the case--have you not read this thread

Yes, I understand how you define "gifted".

FWIW - by your own definition, your gifted golfer isn't gifted, either. Not until she's ranked top in the world, leaving everyone else in the dust. The Hussain Bolt of golfing.

Before that she's just a very good golfer with lots of talent. But she's not gifted.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

I feel bad for him too... he apparently lacks drive though, even though he's brilliant. Think of Bill Gates... cannot see him working for someone else... he created his own destiny. Your BIL can create his too - he needs to find his way, and working for someone else isn't panning out for him. I forgot to look, I'm assuming you live in the US - anyone here can be anything they want, and the possibilities are endless. If he had the drive and smarts to be an entrepeneur, he'd be soaring. Maybe he still can.

I wouldn't say he lacks drive (that is a pretty far reach from my post) - but being brilliant does not make you a success - and entrepeneureal skills have little to do with intelligence.

However, since I judge success more by your relationships and happiness, I doubt he would be soaring even if he was Bill Gates-since the relationships part is a key piece of happiness.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

Wow. And you girls jump on guys for their pissing contests.

Apparently size does matter when it comes to IQ.

 

[LisaR]

Yes, I understand how you define "gifted".

FWIW - by your own definition, your gifted golfer isn't gifted, either. Not until she's ranked top in the world, leaving everyone else in the dust. The Hussain Bolt of golfing.

Before that she's just a very good golfer with lots of talent. But she's not gifted.

But why is that such a bad thing? Why isn't it okay to say, "My daughter is really good at golf. We think it is something she excels at. We think she is talented" It is very clear that some of us have a huge problem with the word gifted and don't throw it around easily and it is also very clear that some people don't have a problem using it constantly. Maybe there is a happy medium? Can you honestly say that the word gifted isn't grossly overused today?

 

[Magpie]

But why is that such a bad thing? Why isn't it okay to say, "My daughter is really good at golf. We think it is something she excels at. We think she is talented" It is very clear that some of us have a huge problem with the word gifted and don't throw it around easily and it is also very clear that some people don't have a problem using it constantly. Maybe there is a happy medium? Can you honestly say that the word gifted isn't grossly overused today?

Actually, I DO think it's overused today. Some gifted programs have just become a way to stream high achievers. And some parents use it as a way of saying, "My child is more special than yours!" That's true.

I also think, however, that it's ridiculous to over-define the word into meaninglessness, so that when someone says, "Yeah, my kid's gifted," the response is to say, "Well, have they cured cancer yet? No? Then you're either lying, deluded or an egotist!"

I have NO issues with someone saying, "My child is a gifted athlete." I have no issues with someone saying, "My child is a gifted student." I don't see any reason "gifted" has to be a dirty word.

And if someone says their child is gifted, I'm willing to take them at their word. It's not like it really matters, once they're all grown up. The only tricky part is getting them properly educated (or trained, if their gifts are athletic).

Hussain Bolt wouldn't be a top-ranked runner if his school hadn't had an excellent track-and-field program. Presumably he'd still have the innate gift of running, but without training, he wouldn't beating world records. He might not even be a runner at all. So parents whose kids demonstrate strong intellectual gifts when they are young can be forgiven for wanting their children to have access to an education that will allow them to develop their talents.

 

[dngnb8]

Oh gee, another condescending thread about gifted children.

 

[bellebud]

I wouldn't say he lacks drive (that is a pretty far reach from my post) - but being brilliant does not make you a success - and entrepeneureal skills have little to do with intelligence.

However, since I judge success more by your relationships and happiness, I doubt he would be soaring even if he was Bill Gates-since the relationships part is a key piece of happiness.

you saying though "he can't keep a job because no one is as smart as him"... I'm assuming he's smarter than his bosses and it probably drives him crazy. I can totally see that happening. The reason I assumed he lacks drive is because he sees he cannot hold a job because of these reasons - he probably needs to work for himself. He can make it happen, or not. You have to have incredible drive to be an entrepreneur.

I feel bad for him in the relationships part too. Yea, it would be hard to be beyond a rocket scientist, and have relationships (friendships or otherwise) with 'average' people.

And I agree w/ you, there's so much more to success than being smart. I wish him nothing but luck and happiness.