to be suprised there is a "gifted and talented" board here

[fromparistoberlin]

sorry its really made me giggle

but seriously!? is this a major worry for people?

[mrscumberbatch]

How is one parenting 'worry' any less valid than any other.

And who cares if some of it can be a bit boasty. Is it that terrible to be proud of your child and want to share their achievements somewhere? (Ie: On a dedicated board.)

YABU OP. If you don't like it or feel intimidated by it then don't read it.

[GlassCastle]

Being sneered at by other pupils because you finish the set reading in class in a third of the time. Even the teachers sometimes joined in accusing me of cheating and making me recap in front of the class.

Fond memories for me.... Not.

Children who stand out for whatever reason require help and tolerance.

[CatAssTrophy]

Gifted and talented is actually recognised as being a SEN. You are being very unreasonable.

[Elsiequadrille]

"my 4 year old said "synchronicity today, does this mean he is G&T"?

To be fair, it's been a while since I happened across the G and T section, so it may not be the case nowadays, but majority of threads did seem to be along similar lines. Lots of posts about reading levels (nothing out of the ordinary), or sitting up/rolling over/walking early, knowing alphabet at early age, and asking if this meant their child was gifted.

[following]

my dd is on the so called gifted and talented list at senior school , i would not describe her as gifted or talented , she is a child who doesnt struggle with school work, my other dd struggled through but she wasnt special needs or any other label , i dont agree with labels at all , makes them stand out like a sore thumb , some kids get it , some dont why label them.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I'm sorry did you want parents to accept their children not being stretched and getting bored and disruptive or did you want them able to post for advice so they can help support their child?

Just because they are gifted doesn't mean that they don't have their own struggles and problems.

[fromparistoberlin]

whoa I have come across as a SEN basher, thats an unintended consequence

it was very flippant post, I skimmed and read some posts that landed to me as a bit PFB, ie the MC NCT mummies boasting

but if people have children that struggle, and are unhappy due to it, I apologise, Children being unhappy is NOT funny
boasty mums are though

anyway I am gonna get bashed to shit now, so sorry, time to hide thread

[SilverApples]

The difficulty came when schools were ordered to identify the top 10% as G&T. So the distinction between very able and G&T was lost.
I have taught many very clever and talented children over the years, but less than a handful of truly gifted.

[PedlarsSpanner]

Very gracious apology, much appreciated, thank you

[SilverApples]

Perhaps namechange as well, so you don't remain remembered as an ignorant and shallow poster with little empathy?

[fromparistoberlin]

oh do bog off silverapples. I posted flippantly, and thoughtlessly. and have apologised

I have learnt two things today

one that G&T is actually a big deal, and I get it

two that some people want to fucking bash people, even when they have apologised for it

[littlepurplealien]

I'm sure the parents of children identified by schools as G&T and therefore in need of a more tailored learning plan are happy to have provided amusement for you.

A G&T child may be educationally advanced but some are behind their peers in other areas which are a worry as bullying of kids seen as different in any way can start young, knock confidence and have a lifelong impact.

Whether we agree with the label or not, we often are parents to children who have problems not experienced by the majority of their classmates and yes we'd like somewhere to discuss with parents going through something similar in the same manner as SN parents do, without being mocked.

[littlepurplealien]

Sorry, delay in pressing post means I didn't see that you now get it and have apologised.

[hazeyjane]

I know that being truly G&T is recognised as a SEN, but really don't think it should be part of the SN boards, education seems a good place for it.

There are bound to be a certain number of threads started by parent's questioning whether their child is Gifted, as I am sure it is not a black and white issue.

Hopefully people will read the thread before piling on you, fromparistoberlin!!

[littlepurplealien]

I prefer the "higher learning potential" label over the frankly naff G & T.

My dc have been identified as G & T and one is a whizz at Maths, 2/3 years ahead of peer group, I'd call it very bright, not Einstein hence not "gifted".

[AwfulMaureen]

Being gifted is very close to having special educational needs...or in fact exactly the same! OP you make yourself sound very ignorant.

[ouryve]

Glad you've acknowledged that you were, indeed, being unreasonable, OP.

[AwfulMaureen]

higher learning potential is bollocks. Who can say what a child's potential is? A child who is a slow starter may suddenly advance....saying one child is "Higher" in some way is not fair. Gifted and Talented is fine...it covers the children who are academically special and those who are especially talented at something such as art, music or sports.

[ouryve]

Agreed, Hazey. DS1 has DME - high learning potential, but an extremely steep slope for him to get there. I spend more time on the SN boards, but some of his difficulties do come about because he is so bright. If I needed to discuss them, specifically, I would take that query to the G&T board.

[HeartsTrumpDiamonds]

OP it's refreshing to have someone admit they were wrong / have learned something, and to apologise so well done for that.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I don't agree it should be part of SN board. That would be somewhat insensitive.

My DD was at nursery with a bright child. .her mum told me she had her own special needs"..

Frankly I was not that impressed given my DD couldn't speak, do anything independently or sit on a chair.

[Somersetlady]

Off to check out the g&t board now for myself is there no end to mumsnet time wasting offerings for the uninitiated

[littlepurplealien]

I think HLP is a good description in many ways, it describes the child's learning potential and needs rather than the child.

Such dc often work with a higher year group covering higher level work. The word is IMHO apt.

All it says to me is that the child needs to be given a more advanced level of work than their classmates and some schools achieve this (up to a point) by co-ordinating timings of maths/literacy so kids can work with their ability peers rather than age peers. It falls down when they are stuck in primary school needing secondary school work with a year 6 teacher whose own maths ability is not up to the task.

[fanjoforthemammaries7850]

I must add I don't see a problem having a G and T board and I see need for it.

Just that if I am looking for advice on my 7 year old being non verbal I dont really want to read about child genii at same time.