Talented and Gifted: Do They Mean the Same Thing?

“Your child is gifted!” “Your student is so talented!” But does gifted and talented mean the same thing? Many programs use the phrase “gifted and talented students” when describing gifted students. However, many schools and programs differ in their definitions of giftedness, and likewise, whether or not there is a difference between gifted and talented has been debated. Knowing the varying explanations between gifted and talented can help parents with determining the best school program for their gifted child. Take a look at the differences and similarities between the words gifted and talented in the context of advanced learning:

Giftedness as Inherent Potential

Even with the federal definition of a gifted student, schools vary in their identification of a gifted learner.  For the most part, a gifted student is identified according to high scores on specially designed educational testing formats for gifted learners. Some schools define giftedness as an aptitude in academic subjects, such as mathematics or English.

Talent Means Developing One’s Gifts

The phrase “talented and gifted” is often used in describing gifted programs, but some schools further define talent as being skilled in PE, drama or music. Other education pioneers in the field of gifted learning have made distinctions between giftedness and talent. For example, a student may possess traits that make foreign language easier to learn compared to his or her peers. However, talent is about nurturing those gifted language-learning traits, which eventually translates to achieving language fluency.

The Differences Between a Gifted Student and Bright Learner

For the most part, the phrase “gifted and talented” means all students who possess attributes of a gifted learner. However, many programs distinguish between a gifted learner and a bright student. For example, a bright student will demonstrate that he or she knows the answer, but a gifted learner will demonstrate his or her comprehensive knowledge on the subject by asking additional in-depth questions.

What is Gifted Education?

Educators have known for a long time that not every child learns in the same way. This is especially true for students with an advanced ability to grasp concepts and excel in core subjects and in other ways. In a regular classroom setting, they may find themselves not challenged which can lead to disinterest and even acting out in younger children. Giving these students with a higher learning capacity the chance to learn at their pace is why gifted education was created and continues to be a popular alternative to traditional education.

Education Methods

While there is no one way to classify what makes gifted education different, there are some methods that may not be explored in regular classes. Here is a brief description of some of these approaches:

·         Streamlining-compacting the curriculum to reduce the amount of repetition for material that is understood.

·         Grouping-organizing children according to ability so they may learn at a similar pace.

·         Acceleration-presenting material and concepts faster for students have the capacity to master it quickly.

·         Identification- realizing children learn in different ways and incorporating a variety of approaches that may target individual learning styles.

Pull-Out Versus All-day

Gifted programs may be implemented through a pull-out method, where students are removed from their regular classrooms for additional or specialized instruction, or by an all-day program, where students receive gifted education exclusively. Parents and educators may work together to determine the best approach on a case-by-case basis.

Making Choices

Identifying students who are gifted and talented is imperative to boosting their learning ability so they can reach their full potential.  Ultimately, parents should decide how they would like their children to be educated, and knowing they have options that fit their children’s needs can make a world of difference to growth and development.  While public school does offer programming for advanced students, some families may prefer a private education which may be better designed for educating children who have advanced learning ability.