Comments on: Is Gifted and Talented a Life Sentence http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/ Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Personal Development Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:21:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Darren Hoehne http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-16436 Darren Hoehne Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:58:46 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-16436 This topic is so mind blowing. And when it comes to kids growing up, it is even more important what we say and how we commuicate. The imprint period is from 0-7 and in these early sages they take in everything that is around them and this is when the basis for belifs are started. Love the blog This topic is so mind blowing. And when it comes to kids growing up, it is even more important what we say and how we commuicate. The imprint period is from 0-7 and in these early sages they take in everything that is around them and this is when the basis for belifs are started. Love the blog

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-13331 Anonymous Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:16:34 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-13331 Nothing (and no one) succeeds without effort. On one hand, you've got folk deriding the "gifted" as an elitist concept that should be eliminated. On the other, you got people (such as yourself) who denigate it a just a label because anything is possible if one works hard enough, "gifted" folk are just stuck-up. Well, being exceptionally-intelligent whether I want to or not, both attitudes just give me a lot of crap from people wherever the heck I go. It's much easier just to "pass" as less intelligent to avoid hectoring and hassles from both sides. Thanks a lot. Nothing (and no one) succeeds without effort. On one hand, you’ve got folk deriding the “gifted” as an elitist concept that should be eliminated. On the other, you got people (such as yourself) who denigate it a just a label because anything is possible if one works hard enough, “gifted” folk are just stuck-up. Well, being exceptionally-intelligent whether I want to or not, both attitudes just give me a lot of crap from people wherever the heck I go. It’s much easier just to “pass” as less intelligent to avoid hectoring and hassles from both sides. Thanks a lot.

]]> By: The Simple Dollar Podcast #15: Fixed and Growth Mindsets : Frugal Living News http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-9019 The Simple Dollar Podcast #15: Fixed and Growth Mindsets : Frugal Living News Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:41:37 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-9019 [...] This topic is covered really well by Michael Graham Richard on his blog. 2:02 – Here’s a great article by Jonathan Fields about cultivating the right mentality in your child. 2:52 – If you’re growth-oriented, [...] [...] This topic is covered really well by Michael Graham Richard on his blog. 2:02 – Here’s a great article by Jonathan Fields about cultivating the right mentality in your child. 2:52 – If you’re growth-oriented, [...]

]]> By: Engineer http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-9010 Engineer Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:43:34 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-9010 Labeling some children "gifted" and others "not gifted" by default is the worst think that can be done in education system. This is made even worse in practice because identification is done according to subjective and unproven criteria such as "gifted students already know answers" and GT teaches usually lack knowledge in many subject areas. It is essentially declaring the defeat of education process: "gifted" already know and "not gifted" cannot be taught. Everyone go home and do what you like. In my opinion the focus must be on better preparation of teacher in subjects they teach and open enrollment to more advanced classes for everyone who is interested and willing to work hard. Labeling some children “gifted” and others “not gifted” by default is the worst think that can be done in education system. This is made even worse in practice because identification is done according to subjective and unproven criteria such as “gifted students already know answers” and GT teaches usually lack knowledge in many subject areas. It is essentially declaring the defeat of education process: “gifted” already know and “not gifted” cannot be taught. Everyone go home and do what you like.
In my opinion the focus must be on better preparation of teacher in subjects they teach and open enrollment to more advanced classes for everyone who is interested and willing to work hard.

]]> By: Tweets that mention Is Gifted and Talented a Life Sentence | Jonathan Fields -- Topsy.com http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-8816 Tweets that mention Is Gifted and Talented a Life Sentence | Jonathan Fields -- Topsy.com Wed, 02 Sep 2009 05:34:44 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-8816 [...] this page was mentioned by Hilary Harwell (@aninspiredmind), Paul K (@neonpaul), Lakshmi Ganesh (@lakshmiganesh), Annette Gonzalez (@adultorphan), Breanne (@maverickstruth) and others. [...] [...] this page was mentioned by Hilary Harwell (@aninspiredmind), Paul K (@neonpaul), Lakshmi Ganesh (@lakshmiganesh), Annette Gonzalez (@adultorphan), Breanne (@maverickstruth) and others. [...]

]]> By: Hilary Harwell http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-8813 Hilary Harwell Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:13:57 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-8813 This is a compelling article. Speaking from experience, I truly believe that labeling children as gifted can become a hindrance to their development, depending on how the giftedness is addressed and nurtured. It was fascinating to have someone illustrate how being labeled as 'gifted' when coupled with a fixed perspective can act to deter a child from trying new things, for fear of failure. This particular statement is spot on - 'So, those with a fixed mindset will often achieve early success, but then quickly retreat from progress out of fear of testing their talent, coming up short, then deeming themselves irretrievable failures.' It is only in the past several years that I have been able to recognize that the label I acquired at an early age and was so accustomed to being acknowledged for really meant nothing unless I chose to proactively pursue my goals and dreams. The comments above are not to say that I condone labeling children as being gifted. On a fundamental level it gave me a great amount of confidence in my intelligence and abilities. But as Prof. Dweck stated, 'I am concerned, however, when the “gift” is portrayed as a fixed trait and the label becomes a symbol of worth. Students may then care more about the label than about learning–they may become afraid to take on challenges or make mistakes.' It can definitely become a symbol of worth - and one that holds little validity in the real world when not followed by ambition, drive and determination to achieve regardless of the label (harsh lesson to learn). I think I need to acquire this book! Thank you for this thought-provoking post~! This is a compelling article. Speaking from experience, I truly believe that labeling children as gifted can become a hindrance to their development, depending on how the giftedness is addressed and nurtured. It was fascinating to have someone illustrate how being labeled as ‘gifted’ when coupled with a fixed perspective can act to deter a child from trying new things, for fear of failure. This particular statement is spot on – ‘So, those with a fixed mindset will often achieve early success, but then quickly retreat from progress out of fear of testing their talent, coming up short, then deeming themselves irretrievable failures.’ It is only in the past several years that I have been able to recognize that the label I acquired at an early age and was so accustomed to being acknowledged for really meant nothing unless I chose to proactively pursue my goals and dreams. The comments above are not to say that I condone labeling children as being gifted. On a fundamental level it gave me a great amount of confidence in my intelligence and abilities. But as Prof. Dweck stated, ‘I am concerned, however, when the “gift” is portrayed as a fixed trait and the label becomes a symbol of worth. Students may then care more about the label than about learning–they may become afraid to take on challenges or make mistakes.’ It can definitely become a symbol of worth – and one that holds little validity in the real world when not followed by ambition, drive and determination to achieve regardless of the label (harsh lesson to learn). I think I need to acquire this book! Thank you for this thought-provoking post~!

]]> By: Keiy http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-8387 Keiy Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:48:22 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-8387 I think the terms of gifted and talented are not appropriate to be labeled to our kids. I very agree to Prof.Dweck's answer, the most important thing for us, as parents or teacher or adult around kids, is help them to find what their talent is. Thanks Jonathan for this very interesting post, I like it much. I think the terms of gifted and talented are not appropriate to be labeled to our kids. I very agree to Prof.Dweck’s answer, the most important thing for us, as parents or teacher or adult around kids, is help them to find what their talent is.

Thanks Jonathan for this very interesting post, I like it much.

]]> By: Franis Engel http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-7899 Franis Engel Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:34:06 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-7899 Good description of an poignant point, but no helpful information about how to get past the problem other than the motive to do so. Having been labeled "gifted", I've had to figure most of these things out on my own. (Now in my fifties.) If I were to provide that info for young people, it would be in the form of the teaching of (creative) thinking skills. Please check out Edward de Bono, specifically his CoRT thinking course. Especially now that information can always be had, it is more crucial to learn how to get it. It seems that how you put info together makes you "wise" or "short-sighted." Mentors and inspirations help us to not squander our gifts. There are also many psychological reasons why talented & smart kids turn their back on working hard which don't include peer pressure or "fixed" definitions of a state of being. Their sense of time, for instance. Another certainly is the "beginner's luck" phenomena, which "gifts" substantial skill at the first try, without any information about how to repeat the performance. For ways past this (blessed & cursed) phenomena, I'd recommend study of the Alexander Technique. This discipline shows how to repeat delightfully surprising results that came by accident. It also teaches how to free up whatever you have been programed to repeat through conditioning and/or practice, as well as how to stop doing it. Because of my own teenage experience of having people die who were close to me, I can attest that a fear of regret led me to put connection with people before accomplishment. So my smarts & talents went begging until I worked these things out. It did not take "hard work" because there was no direct route to even ask the right question. Eventually the challenge became how to express connections to people before they died. Of course, dying could happen at any moment, so this skill precluded work on any other. You might say this was an extraordinary circumstance that most people would not have to face at such an early age - but these are questions that are handy to work out. Otherwise you find yourself "chasing a red herring." Just because you are socially recognized for a talent doesn't necessarily mean you should be doing it. So - there is "emotional talent" - a skill to finding out what you want. This info may or may not be had through hard work, but certainly it pays to take some time and attention for ways to answer this question. When you are blessed at multi-talentedness, you are often told you must figure out which talent you're going to starve. For these types of questions, I recommend the recent work of author Barbara Sher - who shows ways to feed all those talents. The ability to pull together an audience for this question is also a talent that must have taken some persistent work. Thanks for putting this together. Great topic! Good description of an poignant point, but no helpful information about how to get past the problem other than the motive to do so. Having been labeled “gifted”, I’ve had to figure most of these things out on my own. (Now in my fifties.)

If I were to provide that info for young people, it would be in the form of the teaching of (creative) thinking skills. Please check out Edward de Bono, specifically his CoRT thinking course. Especially now that information can always be had, it is more crucial to learn how to get it. It seems that how you put info together makes you “wise” or “short-sighted.” Mentors and inspirations help us to not squander our gifts.

There are also many psychological reasons why talented & smart kids turn their back on working hard which don’t include peer pressure or “fixed” definitions of a state of being.

Their sense of time, for instance.

Another certainly is the “beginner’s luck” phenomena, which “gifts” substantial skill at the first try, without any information about how to repeat the performance. For ways past this (blessed & cursed) phenomena, I’d recommend study of the Alexander Technique. This discipline shows how to repeat delightfully surprising results that came by accident. It also teaches how to free up whatever you have been programed to repeat through conditioning and/or practice, as well as how to stop doing it.

Because of my own teenage experience of having people die who were close to me, I can attest that a fear of regret led me to put connection with people before accomplishment. So my smarts & talents went begging until I worked these things out. It did not take “hard work” because there was no direct route to even ask the right question. Eventually the challenge became how to express connections to people before they died. Of course, dying could happen at any moment, so this skill precluded work on any other. You might say this was an extraordinary circumstance that most people would not have to face at such an early age – but these are questions that are handy to work out. Otherwise you find yourself “chasing a red herring.” Just because you are socially recognized for a talent doesn’t necessarily mean you should be doing it.

So – there is “emotional talent” – a skill to finding out what you want. This info may or may not be had through hard work, but certainly it pays to take some time and attention for ways to answer this question. When you are blessed at multi-talentedness, you are often told you must figure out which talent you’re going to starve. For these types of questions, I recommend the recent work of author Barbara Sher – who shows ways to feed all those talents.

The ability to pull together an audience for this question is also a talent that must have taken some persistent work. Thanks for putting this together. Great topic!

]]> By: M http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-7862 M Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:47:17 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-7862 Why do they always say either/or? Why can't we operate under both mindsets? Why can't we acknowledge gift and talent and still think even gift and talent need to grow? The world is not either black or white, and a person's mindset can be neither "fixed" nor "growth". How about a combined mindset? I've heard it over and over again, that talent doesn't matter, that the only thing matters is how hard you work. How can you turn a blind eye to the fact that some people are gifted and talented, and they are naturally good at certain things. They are still better at what they do, practicing much less, than other people would giving all their time to it. I say this because I'm somewhat talented in visual arts, and it's been confirmed by many teachers and classmates. I don't think I don't need to work at it, because I see myself getting better the more I paint. It irks me when people say talent doesn't matter, because it matters, and because it sounds like a denial of part of who I am. I think people are talented in different things, and we all need to work hard in order to bring out its best. Just saying "all you need is hard work" is not enough. Will I be like Beethoven if I give all my life to music? I don't think so. Now can he paint better than I do? Probably a "no" too. Why do they always say either/or? Why can’t we operate under both mindsets? Why can’t we acknowledge gift and talent and still think even gift and talent need to grow? The world is not either black or white, and a person’s mindset can be neither “fixed” nor “growth”. How about a combined mindset? I’ve heard it over and over again, that talent doesn’t matter, that the only thing matters is how hard you work. How can you turn a blind eye to the fact that some people are gifted and talented, and they are naturally good at certain things. They are still better at what they do, practicing much less, than other people would giving all their time to it. I say this because I’m somewhat talented in visual arts, and it’s been confirmed by many teachers and classmates. I don’t think I don’t need to work at it, because I see myself getting better the more I paint. It irks me when people say talent doesn’t matter, because it matters, and because it sounds like a denial of part of who I am. I think people are talented in different things, and we all need to work hard in order to bring out its best. Just saying “all you need is hard work” is not enough. Will I be like Beethoven if I give all my life to music? I don’t think so. Now can he paint better than I do? Probably a “no” too.

]]> By: The Simple Dollar reviews Mindset « Later On http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/is-gifted-and-talented-a-life-sentence/#comment-7857 The Simple Dollar reviews Mindset « Later On Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:38:40 +0000 http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=1448#comment-7857 [...] while you’re at it, read this review as well. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Interesting book reviewTen books that [...] [...] while you’re at it, read this review as well. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Interesting book reviewTen books that [...]

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