Instead of starting threads taking the piss out of G&T children why don't you all just...

[PhantomOfTheChocolateCakeAvena]

stop it. It's pathetic.

Thanks.

What is really sad is that the MNers who take the piss -who want to take down the Parents a peg or two for being so "precious", don't seem to get that these parents can be dealing with SN children at the same time.

Why on earth would anyone want to knock other parents down like that on the internet? Really, really horrible and again smacks of total envy.

for the sake of clarification...
amidst all my ramblings this

I personally would post a joke type thread on that section of the board but thats just me.

Should have been I would not...

Well I think the whole thread goes to show why G&T label in schools, should go to room 101. If the adults are stupid enough to think it maters one way or the other, what kind of example are we setting to all our children, of all academic levels and abilities. Surely we all want them to do their best and so do their teachers and schools. Children are aware of each others strengths and weaknesses without %10 having a G&T flag over the top of them. Its too much.

KM

hurrah! so pleased for you!

This thread is exasperating. Nobody yet has produced any credible evidence that gifted and talented children were being mocked, whether on the toy piano thread or any other. What has been questioned is how meaningful it is to label children as g&t when the threshold is relative rather than absolute and whether that labelling always works to the child's benefit. What has also been questioned is whether it is fair to say (or imply) that being g&t is a disability or special need on a par with other disabilities or special needs. What has undoubtedly been mocked is the phenomenon of the pushy parent or the deluded parent who thinks their baby is Einstein because she could lift her head a week earlier than her peers.

It seems to me that these claims of 'you're mocking my child' both miss the point and serve to divert the discussion away from all of these very valid questions and, most of all, from any serious consideration of how schools and families can best meet the needs of highly gifted children.

Pah!

I think G & T is the only label that it purely a matter of opinion, very often the parent' opinion, which is why it runs into problems.

Kerry - why not just engage with the questions, such as how to devise a better system of identifying g&t children than just labelling 10% of the class/school? You mentioned that the system is different in Ireland and it would be interesting to make an international comparison - how was your son identified as g&t, for example?

Nobody is denying that some children are more academically able than others. They are asking (almost always in a polite and thoughtful way) whether identifying 10% of the pupils as 'gifted' actually means anything when the standard to get onto the g&t register is likely to vary so much between schools. The more you insist that g&t children are being mocked, the more it sounds as if you haven't really attended to what people are actually saying, rather than what you are projecting onto them.

The point being spectacularly missed here is that all the perceived issues of G & T children - whatever their "level of giftedness" are issues that ALL children could suffer - they arent unique to G & T children and to suggest otherwise is utterly bonkers.

Bullying occurs where an insecure child picks on another that he/she sees as vulnerable. It's not that all bright children get bullied. It's not that all children who wear glasses get bullied. It's just children who are vulnerable - for whatever reason - be it social or physical or emotional.

Boredom at school can be an issue for children who cannot get to grips with what they are being taught as much as those who have seemingly "been there, done that".

Some children - whatever their IQ - will have problems with social integration. Some children - whatever their IQ - will have problems with finding things that interest or challenge them.

Putting a child up on a pedestal and perceiving them as difficult or a challenge to be conquered is doing them absolutely no favours at all - and it really doesnt take a genius to work that one out.

I rest my case.

do read my post again, there's a dear.

I would say all the mockery (got that makes me titter) is about types of parents - not individual parents - and about the whole idea of giftedness as defined by toddlers counting to ten or babies lifting their heads up. It is laughable.
I do not agree that there are serious, awful problems associated with being clever. I do not think being clever is terrible or disastrous. I think it's great. A huge advantage in life, and fun. As I have said, my son's intelligence (he has Aspergers) protects him from being made fun of, makes his life more interesting, and garners him respect and friendship when his social skills let him down. If he had Aspergers AND learning difficulties I would be far, far more pessimistic about his future.

I am not taking the piss out of gifted children. I have never taken the piss out of gifted children. And, as I said, I am outraged that anyone would think I could do such a thing - and I will give £100 to Children in Need if anyone can copy and paste any posts where I do. Genuine offer - go for it.

I may, however, take the piss a little out of parents who are so blinded by the brilliance of their own offspring that they make statements which will have them kicking the bedclothes with embarrassment a few years down the line. Parents like my brother, whose daughter didn't have dressing up clothes because she was so gifted that "her imagination didn't need props"

Or my friend who didn't take her 18 month old daughter to mother and toddler group because the environment wasn't stimulating enough for the child's advanced intellect, and "she could be stretched and challenged at home - there's nothing really she can learn from the other children at the group"

When does a child of just above average intelligence become a child that is moderately gifted? What is this obsession of giving children labels nowadays?
Tbh I don't think there should be levels of giftedness you are either gifted i.e. you are at the very top of the spectrum for your talent. Or you just talented/work hard/are above average intelligence.

seeker - I think you've mentioned the 'imagination doesn't need props' thing before and it makes my eyes pop every time.

Come and have lunch, everyone, in the one child family tea room. All are welcome and we're serving home made soup.

I find the G&T threads very tedious ( imo). I have 3 very bright dc's the middle ds who is 9 exceptionally so academically and sporting as well. His teacher says he has yet to find anything he isn't good at..... he is very obviously in the top 10% in his year for probably all things BUT, we are just proud and love him to bits. they do not have a G&T thing going on in our school, and I for one am very glad. in my own modest opinion I think it just fuels the pushy parents , and to be honest, thats what I read a lot on here in that section (if I ever take a look). Just let your children be children, who cares if they don't all go to oxbridge!!!What matters is they are happy sociable and contented children

The soup sounds good!

I agree with mabanana and seeker.
There are undoubtedly DC who are gifted and talented and they have special needs that should be catered for and problems.

What is laughable are some parents. They have no idea that there are masses of bright DCs around, quietly getting on with life. I think we have all seen postings of toddlers who can count to 100, read, recite poems by heart etc and the parents think this must show they have a gifted DC-rather than just reasonably bright. There is a lot of worry that nurseries won't 'stretch' their DC, as if they will miss out if they play and socialise rather than jump through educational hoops.
I love seekers examples, sadly they are easily believable (we all meet them), but it is so sad for the DCs involved. I think this is why G & T gets a hard time.

Am with Seeker PMSL
Above all of my sons profound giftedness
my most frequent utterances about him usually start
No matter how fecking clever you are sport, you have to live in the REAL world
Get over yourself

sometimes of course it is not so easy and he has needed ed psych support.
But all the time I have fougt to keep him at ground level.
Being super clever does not exempt him from participating in normal life.

But I will come and share his successes here if I am allowed as I took offence last year when someone said
Gifted kids should not celebrate their a* as they were easier to come by than others who got them...

that was when I lost the plot on a G+T thread...

piffle - Yes, indeed, no child should have to hide whatever particular light they have under a bushel. And g&t children certainly shouldn't have to do it as the price of being accepted by their peers.

But some of the claims that some people make about their child's supposed genius are just, well, piffle.

abbeya - you'd better get to the tea room soon, before the soup runs out!