All children have talents. Perhaps gifted does not adequately describe these enigmatic children either, but other phrases such as high ability children, intellectually talented children, and highly intelligent children serve us no better and are certainly less graceful from a writer s standpoint. But these terms are not true synonyms. Like the Eskimos' xxx words for white, each term carries with it a slightly different meaning. I have finally decided that gifted is as good a term as any other perhaps precisely because of its ambiguity.
Gifted students are, after all, by no means a homogeneous group.
Gifted students may be obviously above grade level in most or all subjects or may struggle to learn to read at age seven. They may be reflective in thought, giving the impression of being slow, or they may be impulsive, making them seem flighty. They may be physically strong or stereotypically bookish. What sets apart the gifted child from his classmates is his intensity and insight, his self-determination and drive to learn about his world, his perfectionism and sensitivity. These traits are intricately and magically woven into one complete and complex child who may or may not achieve according to the world s timetable or standards.