Just wanted to respond to Indigo's comments about mindset. I completely agree that many gifted individuals are underachievers, afraid to take risks, and have never learned to challenge themselves. Many never reach their potential because they have never learned HOW to push themselves. My concern with Gladwell is that his perspective has implied that, gee, everyone can be gifted if they just try hard enough. It disregards the concept of aptitude and innate ability as essential in the equation, but also sets up a lot of people for failure.

I do agree that gifted kids benefit from an environment where they will be encouraged to take risks and learn to tolerate failure.

Gail www.giftedchallenges.com

Last edited by GailP; 09/16/14 07:48 PM. Reason: typo