Originally Posted by Bostonian
Originally Posted by madeinuk
Quote
I still don't understand how identifying a person as "gifted" is praise.

I agree, in principle it is no more praise then telling someone that they have colour x colored eyes - it is a factual statement and praise/judgement neutral as far as I am concerned too.
The difference is that it is clearly better to have a high IQ than a low IQ. Height is a better analogy than eye color. Society values height, especially in males. You would be more reluctant to tell a male friend that he is short than that he is tall (not that he would not know). Telling a guy he is tall may be considered praise, but telling him he is short is not. Height is not under one's control.

I don't entirely disagree with your points but personally I consider praise to be complimenting someone their achievements as opposed to their God given attributes.

I think that it is entirely healthy to tell a child that they are intelligent (when they are).

Become what you are