This post is also available in: Spanish
Hello to all the European colleagues. I am leaving here my story even though more than a story, what i am leaving are my doubts and hesitation. HAVE YOU EVER HAD A GIFTED CHILD IN YOUR CLASS?. I have been reading a lot and i know they use to have a a very fluid language for their age, learn to read very quickly, have lots of insights for their age, are sensitive, loving and they have something difficult to explain. 2 years ago I had one child in 4 years which I believe was gifted, but his parents changed him in primary school and I have lost track.
My chief of studies told me that it was a very sensitive issue and that with such small children, it was better to let it go, she more or less told me that I should leave others to deal with “that problem”: let primary school teachers take care of it. I was worried about the fact that the sooner it is detected, the better for the child. I also know that it has to be diagnosed by qualified staff, it is very important to count on a clinic diagnose of specialised proffesionals.
My reflection is the following: we are hearing a lot about funding cuts, which it is true we have them, but it is not all about money. I believe that many times we teachers do not get involved as much as we should. I am not sure if Juan was gifted or less, but the attitude of “letting it go” is very common, it si not about money but of getting involved a bit more. I am not sure if when I was a child our teachers got more involved than nowadays, i do not remember (could it be child amnesia?) but i have the feeling that they did.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET BACK FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD A GIFTED CHILD IN CLASS COULD SHARE HIS/HER EXPERIENCE, when and how it was diagnosed, how did they work in class, how t affected the other children... Thanks in advance.