A Gifted Student is Like a Camera

From Unwrapping the Gifted: "Harnessing High Potential": "When that gifted student walks into your classroom [or you have a gifted child at home], think of your brand new television or computer or car... You know, the one that has you flummoxed because it's so complicated, the one that can do so many things you're not even sure where to begin with it, the one that you need help with in order to learn how to harness all of its capabilities. Then remember that the gifted student in your classroom feels the same way about himself that you feel about that new-fangled gadget. He's just wishing for someone to help him learn how to discover, harness, and realize his full and actual potential," Do you ever feel "flummoxed" when it comes to your gifted child's learning? Tamara Fisher's recent blog post draws a vivid comparison to understanding high potential in relation to a fancy digital camera with lots of features. It takes simple pictures easily enough, but has the capability to do so much more if it is in the right, potential-nurturing hands. Have you seen this occur with your own child? Has a particular teacher, mentor, or program helped to "harness" their abilities and helped them to grow? (Thanks to Dana Turner Thomson for the suggestion for today's post!)