Nurturing Giftedness - by Penelope Waite

Recognizing and nurturing giftedness in young children presents a real challenge to educators. Schools need to respond to their educational needs before their abilities diminish.

But the problem of identifying giftedness in the young is precisely what has made so many educators reluctant to devote special attention to their needs.

Exceptionally gifted children have two primary needs: firstly to feel comfortable with themselves and the apparent differences they sense in interaction with others; secondly to have their potential developed.

Penelope Waite, in this first of two articles, deals with the response to these needs by society, by parents, and by educational establishments.  She then makes some suggestions for identifying giftedness and dealing with it constructively both within the family and within the school.