Okay folks - I am aware that I may be opening a can of worms here but why does this topic piss so many people off?

[Theclosetpagan]

I mean if someone has deemed a child G+T (or is it G or T) why is it that they seem to be flamed when they post about any difficulties here?

If the label has come from outside the family and the family struggle why can't they post here saying "Help" without people leaping in to say "your child sounds normal to me"

For what it's worth I don't have a child labelled as G+T but am glad I don't given the response some posters get to this topic.

Surely it's okay for some children to be extra bright. Or is it that there is distrust of this label?

Just interested really.

PSC?!

oo I am larfing

o ffs KM. i would not dream of taking the mickey out of a prent wiht a problem with their child, but i can gurantee mockery and sarcasm in the direction of any mner who starts up with 'o poor me my child is terribly clever' sorry, its just not a problem, its a boast

"Teaching to the slowest child instead of even a median. So where does that leave the bright or even gifted child?"

Presumably you can spo the flaw in that argument? You would seriously leave the slowes child floundering rather than risk boring the bright ones who will probably be fine anyway?

Sorry, my keyboard is playing up unless I type really slowly.

Agree with Anchovy - would go as far as to say that a degree of boredom is important.

KM, the pull-out thing sounds fabulous for your ds, asnd it's all very laudable where there are the resources, but I can't help hoping that children in the school who have (real) SEN are getting (more than) those 3 days a week too.

"If you consider it bragging then I say it is just a reflection on your OWN insecurities and feelings of inadequacy".

Strong words, Kerrymum.

I think there is an equally interesting consideration as to why people need to see their children as "gifted".

KM. seriously. no one on here has said your kid is normal! i have;t made any comments on your kid. sure he is very G&T and this is an incredible burden for his mother;s friends as she drones on and on about it at dinner parties

KM now I'd really love to know what YOU mean by prodigy..I think if words like 'prodigy' and 'gifted' were defined more clearly then people could judge if the issues are real or just over ambitious parenting.

What Tamum said. It is more important, IMO, to teach to the slowest child than to the brightest.

I was bright at school, particularly in English/languages, and at various points in my school life took over 'teaching'/helping roles in the classroom for other pupils. Did me good, IMO, on more than an academic level.

teachers normally teach to the middle (as a general rule only). Not slwoest or quickest.

o KM, ok, i apologise for saying you go to dinner parties, i am sorry you are very poor. i am not very poor, but I used to be and i can remember how shit it is and how it can put you on a downer on everything as everything is a struggle. i think..at the risk of getting a punch in the face...you might need to think a bit more piostively, so many people would be delighted with a really bright kid, kids who are bright will not have to struggle to get into good schools, to go to good universitys and to get good jobs - look on the bright side, you are realy really lucky!

apology accepted.

Message withdrawn

I think Lil has hit what I am trying to say. Use of the word "gifted" and "prodigy" - latter in particular - are both unspecific and value-loaded. So usung words that do not have a real objective meaning when you could say "my child is very bright" and "my child is extremely good at chess" do make people make judgments of your perception of the message you are trying to convey.

Kerrymum I think PSC sums it up really, you have to look at the bright side and be happy you have a son who will be successful in all he does and will be able to look after his mum in her old age in style and comfort

That's where G&T differ big time from other SN kids.

scholarship?
trust funds for G&T children that you can apply to for grants for G&T?
if it was my kid i'd be sending them to the local state comp anyway, so they could make friends with a big group of kids, with a wide range of talents and needs, and be a genius at the same time.

you can always be proud of him whatever he does, and i think you might even secretly be pleased he is so bright, despite the trauma of him daydreaming occassionally. sorry, slipped back into sarcy bitch again there...its the wine.