gifted child

1. THEORETICAL BASES OF GEOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
ASSIGNMENT
TOPIC : GIFTED CHILD
SUBMITTED BY,
PRAVITHA K K
GEOGRAPHY
ROLL. NO. 11

2. INTRODUCTION
In a class there are individual differences. Some children are average, some
backward and some gifted. A wide variations and deviation are found nearly in all
attributes and traits of personality and patterns of human behaviour. The term exceptional
is used here for a seperate and in many ways distinct category or class of children who
have markedly above average or below average traits and characteristic which makes
them fundamently different from the general or average population of children. These
children begins to demonstrate signs of their exceptionality from their very birth or
during their developmental stages as they race ahead or lag behind in terms of natural
growth and development in various dimensions- physical, mental, emotional, social and
moral etc. to such an extent that they exhibit symptoms of maladjustment with average
children and with the average ways and means of their upbringing and education.
The teacher is expected to adjust his teaching work in relation to all the type of
children. So here through this assignment I am going to study detail about gifted children
,how to identify them, their characteristics, nature, needs and problems and the education
or special arrangement given to them.
MEANING AND DEFINITION

3. The gifted child is the one who possess outstanding abilities or potential in the area
of general intellectual capacity, specific academic aptitude, creative or productive
thinking, leadership ability, visual or performing arts and psycho-motor activity.
Marland report (1972)
The gifted child is the one who exhibits superiority in general intelligence or the
one who is in possession of special abilities of a higher order in the fields which are not
necessarily associated with a high intelligence quotient.
Prem Pasricha (1964)
Giftedness is need not be necessarily associated with high performance on some
general intelligence test. A peron who shows outstanding or remarkable performance in
other sphere of activity regardless of his average I. Q. Or lowers scholastic acheivement
may also be termed as gifted.
NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED OR TALENTED

4. CHILDREN
 The gifted child is essentially an exceptional child.
 In comparison to children of his own group, he is superior in some ability or group of
abilities.
 In most cases, the gifted child invariably exhibits superior performance only in the
area or areas of his giftedness.
 A gifted child need not necessarily possess a very high intelligence quotient (I.Q)
 If he receives proper attension and opportunity for self expression and development,
gifted child can make a noteworthy contribution to the welfare of society, the nation
and humanity at large.
 The gifted child grasp abstract idea more easily.
THE IDENTIFICATION OF GIFTED CHILDREN
The identification of gifted children is utmost important so that adequate provision
and special education to them can be given for their nourishment.
The following list of identifying characteristics prepared by De Haan and Kough can be
of great help in the identification of intellectually gifted or academically talented.
 Learns rapidly and easily.
 Uses a great deal of common sense and practical knowledge.
 Think clearly, recognizes relationships, comprehends meanings.
 Retain what he has heard or read without much rote drill.
 Knows about many things of which most students are unaware.
 Has a large vocabulary, which he uses easily and accurately.
 Can read books that are one or two years in advance of the rest of the class.
 Performs difficult mental tasks.
 Ask many questions, has wide range of interests.
 Is alert, keenly observant and respond quickly.

5. Through observation, intelligence test,aptitude test, inventory, anecdotal records,
and achievement test etc. We can identify the gifted and talented children.
NEED AND PROBLEMS OF GIFTED CHILDREN
Unlike the normal children gifted children have certain special needs like
a) the need for knowledge and understanding
b) creativity and ingenuity,
c) the development of his exceptional abilities
d) the need for self actualization or self expression
 The gifted child strive for the satisfaction and opportunities and facilities for the
realization of the specific needs. If he experiences difficulty in the accomplishment
of these needs he becomes disturbed, mentally and emotionally. This led to a sort of
maladjustment and he becomes a problem child.
 The gifted child needs a proper environment for his development. He is exceptionally
curious and has thirst of knowledge and in the habit of asking searching questions.
Parents and teachers who do not understand his urges usually snub him.
 He want appreciation for his ingenuity in a scientific field or any other, but does not
get it. Consequently he feels insecure and rejected and any sort of mishandling from
the part of teachers and parents make him a nuisance.
 He cannot adjust with his fellow students. He consider them inferior and foolish may
even dislike them, they inturn become jealous of him. The gifted children in this way
does not get recognition from his peers and face a sort of rejection, as a result he
either become withdrawn or aggressive and hostile.
 The gifted children are faced with problems of adjustment in our usual system of
classroom, instruction. Teacher in the classrooms usually plan work for an average
child and the same task is assigned to all the children in the class. For the gifted

6. children this is no challenge and he either finishes the assignment much ahead of
others. He thus become restless, careless, inattendive and idle and often become
mischief and indulging in the acts of indiscipline.
In this way due to lack of adequate facilities, suitable environment and ignorance
about their specific needs and problems, the gifted children are at the risk of being turned
into maladjusted or abnormal personalities. Under these circumstance their superior
talents go to waste. Therefore there is a clear need for special care and proper education
to be give to the gifted children.
EDUCATION FOR THE GIFTED CHILD
As we seen the needs and special requirements of the gifted children, while considering
this, education for him should be organized.
We may think of the following types of special arrangements for providing for the
gifted child in education.
 Giving early promotion
 Expanding the content of the studies.
 Grouping seperately for education.
 Enrichment programmes.
Giving early promotion
It may also called acceleration or double promotion. He is either promoted to the
next higher grade. This method help him to develop further according to his merits.as a
result the educational process to him is no more boring.
Expanding the contents of studies

7. Under this method the gifted child is advised to make an advanced study of the subject
concerned. For example if he is taught some aspects of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, he may
encourage to read an independant book on the same. Similarly the topics under science,
mathematics an other subjects are expanded as a challenge to the special abilities.
Ability grouping or seperate classes
There is a seperate schools for gifted children so as to adequate facilities should be
provided in these schools to help them in developing their specific abilities and
potencialities. ‘Navayug Schools’ and ‘Navodaya Vidhyalaya’ in 1986 are schools for the
gifted in rural area. Segregation of gifted children within same school in to a seperate
section also involves the danger. This plan is known as ability grouping. But it is
undemocratic and likely to lose sympathy for others and may become self centered.
Enrichment programmes
It involves selection and organization of leraning experiences and activities
appropriate to the child’s adequate development. It include additional educational
opportunities to gifted children. It includes;
a) special assignments
b) work on independant projects.
c) preparation of report and participation in panel discussion.
d) construction of models, aid material and improvied appartus.
e) participation in the organization of co curricular activities and
f) experimentation and independant research.

8. CONCLUSION
It is to be concluded that though gifted children are few in population, they
are a resource. Provide them challenges and opportunities to stimulate their mental
development. They deserves special treatment and need adequate stimulation. So through
these assignment I could understand the nature and characteristics of the gifted children
and the specific care and attention they need to excel in their education.
REFERENCES
 S. K Mangal- Advanced Educational Psychology
 S. P. Chaube- Educational Psychology