Gifted and Talented

Gifted and Talented doesn't mean "smarter" and "easier."

Kids who are identified as "smart" may have had the advantage of parents who read to them, taught them. They are showing what they already know. And they don't learn how to learn. My son was one of them. He was reading and learning to write when he went into JK. As a young mom, I didn't fight the teacher who said to me, "We want to bring all the kids to the same level." Hu? You want to make my kid forget what he knows? What did that even mean? I gave her worksheets to use a "reward" when he behaved himself. But she didn't often give them. And the trouble started. We didn't get him into the public school system until grade 7, when he was tested and immediately sent to a school for gifted kids.

Another interesting story to read is that by Ian Byrd, over at https://www.byrdseed.com/the-burden-of-being-called-smart/ .

Growth Mindset

Instead of calling kids "smart," talk about their effort. Tread Carol Dweck's Minsets.