Big Heads

Just a couple thoughts in response to the misconception that 

“Teaching gifted kids to self-advocate won’t work because if we tell them they’re smart, they’ll just get big heads.” 

• Gifted kids already know they’re smart, but they frequently don’t know how to put that into perspective.  That’s why self-advocacy workshops take a close look at the whole concept of giftedness.

• When they know what gifted is and isn’t, they realize that you can be better AT something, but that doesn’t make you better THAN others.

• Interacting with like-ability peers helps them discover the great diversity of gifted kids, the wide range of interests and experiences.

• Assessing their personal learner profiles leads them to also think about areas that need improvement, sometimes a humbling experience!

All of which leads me to a March Madness thought . . . Do you think it might be better if we didn’t tell athletes that they are on the varsity basketball team? We wouldn’t want them to get big heads. :  )