Specially, teasing out the distinctions between clever and gifted children could be challenging as the respective causes for their struggles as well as their victories are not often apparent. For instance, both gifted children and normal yet bright children may have flying academic colors. Likewise, both of these different groups may also manifest lags on their report cards.
Who are Gifted Children?
Unfortunately, giftedness has no known accurate definition. However, most would agree that gifted children manifest exceptional abilities from an early age as it is a developmental condition. Their achievements evidently belong to the upper end of the distribution. Previously, giftedness or being genius was mainly associated with IQ as the first children who were classified as such were the ones who took IQ tests for academic placements. Specifically, gifted children belong to the top 2% of the population or those with IQs above 130. Nowadays, more and more experts believe that being gifted entails a number of facets.
between
The following elements are often considered when defining giftedness:
- Cultural standards
- Creativity
- Motivation
- Potential for high performance
- Opportunity to display capabilities
- Environment
- Vocabulary range
- Leadership skills
- Memory
- Curiosity
Who are Brilliant but “Not” Gifted Children?
Above-average students are noticeable because of their excellent performances. Still, this alone does not guarantee that they are “gifted” as the amount of effort, potential, and other aspects need to be factored in. Brilliant children have outstanding comprehension of details but gifted children go beyond by having a more in-depth grasp of the concepts as well as insights on how to apply them.
Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of an “Effort”
Normal children often work hard to grasp concepts and solve challenging tasks while gifted children do not exert much effort in dealing with most undertakings. What a bright learner could normally master after 5-6 repetitions would be achieved by a gifted learner after 1-2 reps.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Motivation”
While normal children are motivated by grades and enjoy school routine, the gifted ones may merely tolerate classroom activities. Generally, young minds prosper in structured academic settings. However, gifted children are more self-directed to satisfy various hypotheses.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “School Difficulties”
The usual problem that children face in school is their ability to catch up with the prescribed lessons. On the other hand, gifted children struggle with holding themselves back and often misbehave due to boredom.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Working in Groups”
Though most gifted children prefer working alone as compared to others in the usual education setting, they would actually enjoy collaboration when grouped with other gifted individuals.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Attitude towards Authority”
While most children follow authority figures, gifted children often question those in command and rules due to their unusual curiosity and clever ideas.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Social Isolation”
Many gifted children face social isolation issues more than their non-gifted peers. Many of them choose to have lesser yet meaningful friendships rather than numerous yet shallow relationships. Regrettably, some of them even mask their abilities and underachieve in order to blend in.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Sense of Humor”
Unlike typical children, gifted children often understand highbrow and satirical humor as well as other cognitively advanced jocularities. They frequently shock adults by composing their own riddles, puns, and sometimes bizarre jokes.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Memory”
Gifted children have excellently sharp and capacious memories; they can recount intricate details more accurately than normal children. Many of them have photographic memories and exhibit spontaneous recitation of facts.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Speech”
Gifted children usually have adult-like speech by age 6. While normal kids say their first words at 12 months, gifted ones may say theirs as early as 6 months. As speech is related to other skills, they also exhibit reading, listening, and writing skills early on.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Observation”
Unlike normal children, gifted young minds have extraordinary powers of observation which makes them admirable at deductions.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Imagination”
Gifted children have vivid imagination which they use in evaluating hunches. Unlike normal children, gifted kids have highly complex fantasy worlds that can be observed from remarkably creative artworks and play schemes. Also, they often have imaginary friends during their early childhood years.
- Difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children in terms of “Emotions”
As compared to normal children, gifted children’s emotional levels are higher. Their expressions of joy, excitement, and even stress levels are noticeable intense. They are also more sensitive to others’ feelings and points of view.
Gifted Children vs Normal Children
Summary: Few important points on difference between Normal Children and Gifted Children
- Both normal and gifted children manifest school achievements and also difficulties; the difference lies in the reasons behind such behaviors.
- Essentially, giftedness involves advanced and extraordinary capabilities as compared to the general population. Gifted children comprise the upper 2-3% of the distribution.
- Gifted children often prefer to do things on their own and accomplish tasks at their own pace. This is one of the reasons whey they may have issues with responding to authority.
- Gifted children manifest ingenious creativity as observed from their sense of humor, imagination, and problem-solving abilities.
- The emotional levels of gifted children are significantly higher and they are also observed to be more empathic as well as empathetic.
Leave a Reply