Reading: Not Just for 'Smart Kids'
Not all gifted students are 'bookworms'
Don't believe everything you see on TV
People have many preconceived notions about gifted children. One stereotype is that all gifted kids are good readers, wear glasses and don't participate in activities that 'normal' kids like to do. We see this all the time in movies and on television. The 'nerdy, smart' kids have glasses, stay inside and always have a book in hand. This is simply not the case.
The truth is many gifted students are good readers
Many gifted children learn to read early in their lives. They can master basic skills with greater ease and it is easier for them to make connections between ideas.
But reading is often not their only interest
Some children like to read, some like to run, some like to play video games and some children like a variety of activities. Gifted children are no different than everyone else. They have hobbies and interests that are specific to their personalities.
Some gifted kids need remedial help in reading
Giftedness does not automatically mean that a child can read well. Children can be gifted in specific areas such as math, music, art, languages, computers, or science. Gifted children may need remedial help with reading if that is not the area in which they are gifted.
Reading for All!
Gifted students may feel isolated by their ability to read higher level books and try to mask their abilities in order to fit in with their peers. This is one of the many reasons it is so important to support all readers within the classroom and make reading engaging and meaningful. Reading is for everyone!!! Being a bookworm should never be a bad thing so lets create classrooms full of reading and readers!
Sources
The Association for Bright Children of Ontario
http://www.abcontario.ca/Teacher's Gateway to Special Education (OTF)
http://www.teachspeced.ca/giftedness
Gifted readers: Who are they and how can they be served in the classroom? Gifted Children Today Magazine, 2002
http://www.casenex.com/casenet/pages/virtualLibrary/mlandrum/giftedreader.htm