The words by educationist Michael Carr “Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.” is soothing. It gives parents, teachers, and caregivers a sense of encouragement. Of course, until you decide to dive deep. As when you dig on, you land upon the misunderstood and misinterpreted “gifted” ones.
Some kids do walk earlier than peers. Few kids love eating everything on the table including bitter gourd. The children who were potty trained in infancy. Then there are kids who recite A to Z by the age of 2 years. But then, are they gifted? Would their special ability to walk earlier or early potty trained to make any difference in their life? In a holistic fulfilling long way. No, right?
Does only an early achievement equate with giftedness?
Then who are gifted ones?
“Gifted”, the word is unfortunately associated historically to label children who were born with distinguished high intellectual ability. But this misses out the musically or athletically talented kids. Even many more. The little ones singing or playing musical instruments exceptionally on Indian reality shows can be a gifted musician too. It can be, is the key here.
Are children born gifted?
No child is born gifted, they are born with the potential of giftedness. The interaction with the environment and our biological genes does work on one’s intelligence. Tapping the potential with channelizing resources do mold the gifted ones for life long. The ones who can change the world if they actualize their talent in the right direction.
“If Lata Mangeshkar’s (singer) father told her to become a fast bowler. Or if Sachin Tendulkar’s (Cricketer) father told him to be a singer. Imagine where they’d be today. Do you understand what I’m saying? Idiot. “
Rancho, 3 Idiots, Indian movie
Giftedness is simply not identical to achievement and excellence, two things which we usually define by extremely narrow metrics.
Why every child is not gifted?
Children, gifted or not are children, let them explore, grow and learn at their own pace. One size fits all, in education and child development, is irrelevant. The gifted one needs attention, much more than their peers. You might like to check this documentary to understand the depth. Understanding the neuroscience ‘behind the scenes’ of giftedness is important for parents and teachers to identify a gifted child and nurture them appropriately.
A gifted child in a simplistic way is one when compared to his/her peers, has the advanced capacity to learn and apply. It can be in one or multiple subject areas or in performing or fine arts. This advanced capacity needs an amendment to regular school curriculum ensuring the child is sufficiently challenged and learn something new. Especially in his/her interest area.
Gifted ones have unique learning needs.
Every child is a “gift”. They are special, with their unique set of skills, strengths, and weaknesses. They deserve all our parental love, care, and attention. But not all are gifted.
This post is a part of the Children’s Day blog train hosted by Prerna and Vartika.
Prompt: “Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.”
Image by Nguyen Dinh Lich from Pixabay
Pragnya I liked the freshness and unique perspective that you have shared through your post. I liked the nuances and your justifications. Very well written piece giving us food for thought!
Thanks, Prerna. Glad to hear that.
You have amazingly explained the word “gifted” in this post. From your perspective of view, I would say it’s partially true. Because I believe that every child is special in his/her own way.
My point was to tap the gift if any, at the right time and window. Kids are gifts not gifted. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Papri.
I have always been a fan of your writing, you always nail it with your thoughts and write-ups. “No child is born gifted, they are born with the potential of giftedness”- This is the whole point. I have bookmarked it and shared it with my fellow moms to read and understand it.
Kavita, you just made my day dear. With your motivating words am going to pour my heart clearer. Thanks for reading.
You have explained the matter beautifully… timing does matter a lot… great write up
Thank you 🙂
i love the way you have written, this is so true. not everyone is gifted and everyone might have a potential that we need to nurture. Instead of pressurising kids for everything we should look for their interests.
Glad you resonate the thoughts.
Your post made me ponder about the word usage, gifted, we often associate with children. And I somewhat agree with your thoughts here, Pragnya.
In that case intent met Neha. 🙂
That’s such a beautiful post, as I totally agree with your thoughts. Every child is beautiful in it own way, gifted or not let them grow with all love and care.
Love is all they deserve and care off. Thanks for sharing your views Neha.
This is the most beautiful post I read today love and you are such a lovely writer, you said it all my dear
Words coming from you are hypnotic, Roma. Thank you, dear. 🙂
I love the way you have differentiate the meaning of gift and gifted. Every child is diffeand special in their own way .. We can’t judge on that.
Judging is the worse thing we do.
Such a layered and meaningful post. I always like reading your clarity of thoughts that opens a different perspective for me. Yes, I agree no child is gifted.
Thanks, Charu. You are kind.
Very well written Pragnya. Yes every child is not gifted, it is upto mentors and parents to find the little spark of child and nuture it.
The spark identification and nurturing are all these kids need. Thanks for sharing your thoughts dear.
Such a wonderful post Pragnya. Its true every child is a gift, just that every child is not gifted. And we start comparing with others.
Comparision is really evil.
Totally agree with the thoughts Pragnya☺ It is not necessary, quick learner or quick milestones achievers are more successful or a trendsetter. Let them grow in their own speed and style they will definitely find their own trademarks.
Yup, that’s the intent Deepika.
Such an out of box thought, we have assume it as it said – every child is gift but it’s not true.
Thanks for stopping by, Gurjeet.
Tapping the gift they are born with is essential. One more thing to note is this has to be tapped at the right time.
Agree Sindhu. The timing do matter a lot.
Such a realistic post, Pragnya! I loved how you established the difference between gift and gifted.
Thank you, Tina. I am glad to hear your words.
“Freedom of Choice” is imperative for any child. This is what inculcates decision making ability in a child regardless he / she is gifted or not. Awesome write up
Thank you, Vandana. Your words are music to my ears.
So truly said every child is not gifted but first n one foremost I don’t like the idea of tagging the child as gifted MATLAB wat I mean to say is special in his or her own way.
Initially, the label Gifted was given based on the need for different learning opportunities. Sadly, it went into ugly competition and parental pressure. An abled environment was all that needed. Thanks for dropping by, Jameela.
Very beautifully said Pragna. Channelizing child’s potential by providing right ambience, resource and support is very essential for any child and they really need not be gifted by birth
Our environment does matter the way kids grow. Thanks for visiting Rashmi 🙂
Loved the honesty with which you have written the post. I wish every parent understands this.
Thank you, Rashi.
“Every child is not gifted but they are born with the potential of giftedness”. Loved it. Really you have eyes to watch it well and pour your heart out. Today, in this hassle of making kids run to do each and everything we have forgotten the real meaning of giftedness. Agree with you.
Thank you, Sweta. Glad you liked the article. 🙂 Do visit again.
This is definitely one of the best posts I read today. We as parents need to realise that its the potential which needs to be explored and let children follow their own paths. Keep writing!
Thank you so much Surbhi. Your words are motivating. 😀
All kids a blessed onces & this post going to change lots of parents mind set.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Vij
Very well said Pragnya. You cannot raise all children to the same standard- each one is different and has the potential from birth.
Thanks for visiting Noor.
this is sooo true!!! loved the way you expressed
Thanks, Vidhya.
I completely echo the thoughts that you have expressed. Children are children, we should just let them be. And yes, Children have a potential gift which needs to be tapped in the right manner. Very informative and well articulated blog.
Thank you Maneet. Glad to know you resonate with my thoughts.
True words! All children are blessings & this post should be must read for all new parents. 🙂
Aww, thanks Disha.
Let me confess Pragnya, your post has given me a new perspective to look at it. I never thought this way. Lovely post.
I am happy to see my intent of the post is appreciated. Honored. Thanks for visiting, Aakanksha.
How wonderfully you have conveyed the message that every child is not gifted but every child is definitely a Gift. superb….loved reading it..
Thank you, Anjali. Glad you liked the post.
In this fast-paced competitive world, ur blog comes like a breath of fresh air. When our kids don’t perform, Sometimes parents just console themselves that other kids are gifted. But u just found the right answer that, ” No child is born gifted, they are born with the potential of giftedness. ” I loved loved loved reading your post. Please keep writing and keep correcting the perspective of new age parents.
You made my day Supriti. Thank you.
I firmly believe there are no right or wrong ways of parenting, it’s our perception that is seen in our practices.
It was an interesting article with a beautiful insight on gifted children.Infact it was an eye opener for me to understand the term correctly .. Thanks a lot..
Pashmeena, sadly we assume all kids are equal, so does our education system. Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again.
Great choice of topic Pragya and I agree that every child is unique and have their own sets of skills and talent.. as a parent it is very important to understand this fact for avoiding unnecessary pressure on kids:
For long I have seen parents pressuring kids to score higher and higher. They totally ignored if the child had talents in different spheres. Thanks for visiting Surbhi.
the last line of the blog is heart wrenching “They deserve all our parental love, care, and attention. But not all are gifted.” there are so many kids who are miles away from such important thing that we take for granted- Parental love and care.
The parental pressure many undergo does take kids away from love and care. Thanks for dropping by Ujjwal.
Such a different and thoughtful perspective you have. very well defined.
Thank you for visiting Mittali.
Well said, all are kids are gifted in there special way and we should respect them the way they are, and never compare, instead let them explore and learn at their own pace.
Nice post and thanks for sharing the documentary.
Loving the way kids are, without altering their dreams is our job. Hope major parents are able to do that. Optimistic thought.
Well said. We all live on certain perceptions, it’s high time to think different, think natural, thanks for writing such a beautiful post.
Our perceptions are product of multiple variables and accepting unbiased truth is hard for us humans. Thanks for stopping by Mittali. Hope to see you again.
Very well written, gifted or non gifted really comes secondary, what matters at primary that every child must get the freedom to walk in their own space by their own pace, let them fly and spread wings, surely they will find their path in the best way.
So agree with you Archana. Glad to hear your thoughts. We tend to mold kids as per our expectations and ask them to fly. Hope us parents understand this while raising kids.
That is such a beautiful and honest post, Pragnya. As always i love reading your posts. The concept of gifted is flawed and you have explained it so well. Supporting the child and giving them wings to fly is what we need to do.
Humbled Arushi. Your words made me grin hard. Thank you. I’m glad to read your thoughts.
You analyzed the phrase beautifully. Not every child is gifted and the criteria to measure giftedness is completely objective. Nice read:)
Yes, Aditi the definition of giftedness is changing and we can’t put criteria-based on scores alone. Thanks for dropping by.
Yes, every child deserves love and care.
Thanks for echoing the thoughts Mahati
“No child is born gifted, they are born with the potential of giftedness”- bang on. That’s the gist of this whole discussion. I hate when people judge kids in the basis of some self made parameters. Every child is gifted with his/her set of unique talents and skills.
The concept of giftedness is quite unclear to the major population. Each child has a set of gifts if only they are nurtured properly, they can grow strong and deep. Thanks for visiting Alpana.