What are the characteristics of gifted children? How are they different from bright learners?
Parents need to advocate for gifted education within the local scenario to ensure the advancement of our able learners within their schools. However, it is imperative that parents are clear about the characteristics of learners with gifts and differentiate these from the traits of bright learners. Let us start with the definitions followed by the UAE School Inspection
Framework 2015:
Giftedness refers to ‘a student who is in possession of untrained and spontaneously-expressed exceptional natural ability in one or more domain of human ability’ (UAE Ministry of Education 2015, pg. 119). Talented refers to ‘a student who has been able to transform their “giftedness” into exceptional performance’ (UAE Ministry of Education 2015, pg. 119)
A learner with gifts would probably be highly inquisitive, holistically engaged with the learning process, thinking creatively, pursuing in-depth understanding, imaginative, knowledgeable, strongly opinionated, achieving mastery at a rapid pace, good at inferencing and abstract thinking, possessing leadership skills, entrepreneurial, self-critical, preferring the company of peers above their age category, sensitive to moral and ethical issues, a keen observer, possessing a high emotional quotient, alongside performing in the top 10% with the appropriate support systems in place. In contrast, a bright learner may be interested in learning, seem to know the answers, work diligently, have great ideas, learn easily, enjoy the company of peers, grasp new information and perform well with some repetition or practice, probably be satisfied with self, complete tasks in general, have a good memory, and demonstrate achievement in line with their abilities (GATE 2021).
Based on our understanding of what constitutes giftedness, let us proceed to learning about the gifted education standards as our next step.
About the Author
Dr Neha Sharma
Head of Quest (Inclusion) and Student Achievement, Senior Leader, Dwight School Dubai
Dr Sharma has been living in the UAE for 25 years and has witnessed inclusion evolve tremendously during this period. Before joining Dwight School, she has previously held the senior leadership position as Head of Inclusion at an International IB Curriculum School and the position of Head of Inclusion at one of the most prestigious government schools following the UK curriculum in Dubai.
Dr Sharma graduated from the University of Bombay with a B.E (hons) in Engineering before obtaining a Masters in Inclusive and Special Education from the University of Birmingham (British University in Dubai campus). This unusual journey was inspired by her daughter, a person of determination. Following her passion for inclusion, she will be completing her PhD in Gifted Education from British University in Dubai soon. Her passion includes setting up an exemplary Gifted Education Program at Dwight School.
Dr Sharma was rated as an ‘Exceptional’ Head of Inclusion by KHDA during their inspections in 2018. Under her leadership, the inclusion department won the 2nd best SEND team in the UAE award by Education Journal Middle East Awards in 2017. She is the recipient of the prestigious Prof. Indira Parikh Award for Women in Education Leaders organized by the World Education Congress in India in 2018. Dr Sharma presented her research proposal at the UAE Graduate Students Research Conference in 2019. She has also completed the CPT3A qualification and is a licensed assessor with the British Psychological Society
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