Exceptional Development…can be seen in both the intellectually gifted and

those with intellectual deficits (Klinefelter’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental

Disorder, Autistic Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome)

“Every child is unique to himself, in personality traits, in cognitive abilities, in physical stature, in emotional stability and others. Among children, these differences are highly noticeable. Even in aspect of learning some children are fast learner, those gifted with exceptional intellectual capabilities and some are slow, those who function at significantly lower intellectual levels.”

Intellectually Gifted

-Known as GIFTED or TALENTED.-Someone who shows, or has the potential for showing, an exceptional level of performance in one or more areas of expression.-About 5% of the student population (3 million children)

Intellectually Gifted-Any child who is naturally endowed with a high degree of general mental ability or extraordinary ability in a specific sphere of activity or knowledge. -Those who have an intelligence quotient (IQ) of 130 or above.

CAUSES

• Experience• Biological

Factors• Social Factors• No single factor

that “causes” giftedness

Characteristics

•Become frustrated with inactivity and lack of challenge

•Have a high energy level

•Dominate Discussions•Difficulty with listening skills

•Exhibit Verbal Proficiency

•Become bored and frustrated•Dislike repetition•Receive negative adult attitudes to smartness

•Learn Quickly and Easily•Able to use abstract thought and critical reasoning

Characteristics of Gifted and Talented

•Be unusually vulnerable•Perceived as immature•Be confused if thoughts and feelings not taken seriously

•Exhibit unusual emotional depth and intensity•Be highly sensitive•Be acutely perceptive

•Disrupt class routine•Resist interruptions or schedules•Perceived as stubborn or uncooperative

•Be extremely persistent•Concentrate on tasks of high interest for extended periods of time

Characteristics of Gifted and Talented

•Social isolation•Low self-esteem due to seeing differences from peers as bad•Seen as a “show off”

•Heightened self-awareness•Relate more to older children and adults

•Challenge and question indiscreetly•Exhibit rebellious behavior

•Exhibit independence and nonconformity

•Feel frustrated•Fear failure

•Aim at perfection

Characteristics of Gifted and Talented

•Seen as “weird”•Possess unusual imagination

•Use humor inappropriately or to attack others•Frustration when humor not understood

•Keen sense of humor

Characteristics of Gifted and Talented

Educating gifted child…

• Gifted learners must be given stimulating educational experiences appropriate to level of ability.

• Only 1/2 of gifted learners receive education appropriate to their needs.

• Gifted education programs fulfill both individual and societal needs.

So, they need….• Individualized Education Plan• Special Classes• Special Activities• Acceleration/Promotion

Strategies for Teaching Gifted and Talented

Learners

• Create alternative activities that go beyond the regular curriculum.

• Work with students to design an independent project that they would be interested in completing for credit.

• If possible, involve students in academic competitions in your area.

• Create tiered assignments, which have different expectations for different levels of learners.

Technology and Gifted and Talented Students

• Computers allow students to move at their own pace.

• Computers can be used to complete alternative activities and independent projects.

Technology and Gifted and Talented Students

• Many computer programs can be used to help students learn and master new material not covered in the regular classroom.

• There are some online educational programs for gifted and talented students, such as EPGY at Stanford University.

But most of all….

They need a

DEDICATED AND

PASSIONATE TEACHER!

Myths about IG….• Gifted students need

to serve as examples to others, and they should always assume extra responsibility.

• Gifted students are naturally creative and do not need encouragement.

References• Child and Adolescent by Acero, Ph.D, Javier, Ph.D & Castro M.A Chapter 4, page 84. • Gifted child Psychology Written by: The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica

retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/topic/gifted-child• The Gifted Child by Corwin, Making ALL kids smarter retrieved from

http://www.corwin.com/upm-data/38607_Pages_from_DeLandtsheer_Making_All_Kids_Smarter__ch_1.pdf

• Characteristics and Behaviors of the Gifted retrieved from http://www.ri.net/gifted_talented/character.html

• “Characteristics of Gifted Children and Talented Children and Possible Associated Problems.” Queensland Association for Gifted and Talented Children, Inc. Retrieved from http://www.qagtc.org.au/charprob.htm

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