Gifted children
Ren Allen
"I think it is offensive when people who are ignorant of what the "label"
actually means to people and their families make a blanket statement
such as
that. "
Don't assume that people who write about NOT liking labels like
gifted, are ignorant of the issues these children face. Many of us
have out-of-synch or highly sensitive children that would have a
heaping of labels put on them in school. We choose to live without
those labels.
Saying that ALL children are gifted is absolute truth.
It isn't saying that many, many children who fit the "gifted" label
according to the "experts" don't have huge challenges or sensitivies
to deal with. By saying all children are gifted, it's saying ALL
children are special and meant to shine in their own way (there's that
word again).
I do believe that searching out answers about your child is important,
when it's hard to understand certain behaviors. It can be a HUGE
relief to parent's, knowing that their child is wired a certain way
and seemingly bizarre behavior isn't anyone's fault.
It can be a huge relief to know that other parent's are dealing with
these challenges and to learn ways to meet your child's needs better.
I understand.
But that doesn't mean the label becomes a filter we see our child
through. It doesn't mean the label defines anything other than a way
to understand the child. Those kind of labels are harmful...that's all
we're saying.
I have a unique child that challenges me to be a better person every
day he is on this earth. He is Jalen...my sweet, intense, beautiful
child. He is not "gifted" or LD or ADD or ADHD or anything other than
my Jalen Kai.
Nobody is trying to say that a parent shouldn't do everything possible
to understand their child's uniqueness. We aren't saying there aren't
hugely challenging issues for some of these kids. The unschooling
philosphy stays the same though....it's all about helping each child
explore the world in their own way, assisting them where they need us,
protecting them, encouraging them and BEING with them.
Ren
actually means to people and their families make a blanket statement
such as
that. "
Don't assume that people who write about NOT liking labels like
gifted, are ignorant of the issues these children face. Many of us
have out-of-synch or highly sensitive children that would have a
heaping of labels put on them in school. We choose to live without
those labels.
Saying that ALL children are gifted is absolute truth.
It isn't saying that many, many children who fit the "gifted" label
according to the "experts" don't have huge challenges or sensitivies
to deal with. By saying all children are gifted, it's saying ALL
children are special and meant to shine in their own way (there's that
word again).
I do believe that searching out answers about your child is important,
when it's hard to understand certain behaviors. It can be a HUGE
relief to parent's, knowing that their child is wired a certain way
and seemingly bizarre behavior isn't anyone's fault.
It can be a huge relief to know that other parent's are dealing with
these challenges and to learn ways to meet your child's needs better.
I understand.
But that doesn't mean the label becomes a filter we see our child
through. It doesn't mean the label defines anything other than a way
to understand the child. Those kind of labels are harmful...that's all
we're saying.
I have a unique child that challenges me to be a better person every
day he is on this earth. He is Jalen...my sweet, intense, beautiful
child. He is not "gifted" or LD or ADD or ADHD or anything other than
my Jalen Kai.
Nobody is trying to say that a parent shouldn't do everything possible
to understand their child's uniqueness. We aren't saying there aren't
hugely challenging issues for some of these kids. The unschooling
philosphy stays the same though....it's all about helping each child
explore the world in their own way, assisting them where they need us,
protecting them, encouraging them and BEING with them.
Ren