Definitions of gifted children
"Gifted students are those whose potential is distinctly above average in one or more of the following domains: intellectual, creative, social and physical. Talented students are those whose skills are distinctly above average in one or more areas of human performance. Giftedness is not an indication of performance or achievement, but of potential. Whether a child is able to reach that potential is moderated by their environment – at home, at school and in their community."
- Gagne's differentiated model of giftedness and talent
Traits common to gifted children
Some of the positive traits often exhibited by gifted children include:
- Learning basic skills easily and with fewer repetitions
- Uses vocabulary advanced for age
- Learning to read before school age
- Memorising and remembering facts easily and quickly
- Has an unusual imagination and a keen sense of humour
- Seeks out challenges, is able to persevere in solving problems
- Has a longer attention span
- Explores wide ranging and special interests, often in great depth
- Displays great intellectual curiosity
- Likes to create, invent and investigate
- Finds pleasure in intellectual activities
Gifted and talented children can exhibit other traits. These other traits attributed include:
- Is a ‘perfectionist'
- Gets bored easily, resist drill, disturbs others, daydreams
- Impolitely corrects, or lacks respect for adult arguments
- Has few friends, impatient with others
- Dislikes group work; may monopolise discussions
- Sense of humour may be used inappropriately
- Can be reluctant to do written work
- Appears inattentive, and then copes easily
- Often seen as a show off or out of step
Policies and resources
The following PDFs outline our school's gifted and talented policy, and also contain resources to help identify if your child is gifted or talented. Download and view them for more information.
Support package parent information (PDF 317KB)
Gifted and talented policy for Ryde Public School (PDF 243KB)
Identification processes (PDF 155KB)
Curriculum
Cross-curriculum priorities enable students to develop understanding about and address the contemporary issues they face. The cross-curriculum priorities are:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
- Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia
- Sustainability
General capabilities encompass the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours to assist students to live and work successfully in the 21st century. The general capabilities are:
- critical and creative thinking
- ethical understanding
- information and communication technology capability
- intercultural understanding
- literacy
- numeracy
- personal and social capability
The Board's syllabuses include other areas identified as important learning for all students:
- civics and citizenship
- difference and diversity
- work and enterprise
Online resources
- Learning Potential - Learning Potential has hundreds of articles on all aspects of your child’s learning and development. From the early years to the end of high school.
- NSW Educational Standards Authority - Information about differentiated programming in the NSW syllabus.
- Australian Curriculum - gifted and talented students - This page focuses on how teachers use the flexible design of the Australian Curriculum to meet the individual learning needs of gifted and talented students and make necessary adjustments to meet their individual learning needs.
- Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT) - This organisation provides support, advocacy and networks across the nation for gifted and talented students.
- Gifted Education Research and Resource Centre (GERRIC) - GERRIC contributes to many aspects of the education and development of highly able children and young people, offering school holiday programs of enrichment and extension, as well as courses for parents of gifted students.
- Gateways - An independent, non-funded organisation, established in 1994 to provide opportunities for highly able and gifted children with special educational needs. Like-minded students can participate in programs that will challenge them intellectually and help develop their individual talents.