Much like every other demographic, gifted children are stereotyped. Many people picture gifted children as perfect in every way. They’re often perceived as diploma-yielding third graders or students obsessed with learning. In reality, these “perfect” children often have challenges, both academic and social or emotional.

Many people do not believe in gifted education. These people tend to believe that gifted children will succeed regardless of educational opportunity, because they are gifted. Studies clearly indicate that this is entirely wrong. Gifted children benefit from gifted instruction.

Other people believe that accelerated instruction is all that is necessary for gifted children. These people tend to believe that gifted children will succeed if their curriculum is merely accelerated. In reality, mere acceleration does little to address the social-emotional needs of gifted children. Instead, it focuses solely on their academic needs. This is a one-sided approach, one that is destined for limited success.



