This essay describes how "gifted and talented" students are defined, how they are discovered, the problems they face, and some myths about them. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayWhen we talk about "gifted and talented" children, we think of musical prodigies, exceptional mathematicians, and young scientific geniuses. But are these definitions accurate? And what kind of problems do gifted children face? This article defines “gifted and talented” children, how they are recognized, some of the myths about them, and the problems they face. The references refer to middle school students. Gifted and talented students (the two words are used together) are defined as “people of exceptional promise whose abilities provide contributions of lasting merit in very diverse fields.” (“Information for Parents of Gifted and Able Students,” PG). Gifted and talented students come from all backgrounds, economic levels, and ethnic groups. Their talents and high-achieving abilities are so exceptional that they require special programs to meet their educational needs. (“Information for Parents of Gifted and Able Students,” PG).IIIRecognizing Gifted and Talented StudentsAlthough excellent academic achievement and a love of learning are two of the most common criteria used to define gifted and talented students, there are other signs too. These indicators include advanced language development, advanced comprehension, sophisticated thought processes developed at an early age, unusual ability to understand and manipulate abstract ideas and process information, exceptional problem-solving ability, advanced facility in moral and ethical issues, advanced sense of judgment and the ability to retain a large amount of information and learn quickly. (“Information for Parents of Gifted and Able Students,” PG). Of course, gifted and talented students excel in all areas, most of which are not strictly academic, such as moral judgment and a strong sense of justice. They have abilities in all areas of life. Myths about gifted and talented students abound. Some of those I have found include these beliefs: Gifted students are all part of a homogeneous group; gifted students don't need help; their future is assured; they are self-directed and confident; they are naturally creative and do not need encouragement; and their skills are always welcomed and appreciated by their families. (“Common Myths About Gifted Students,” PG). None of these are true; gifted students are still students, which means that while they may be very bright, they are still teenagers, still struggling with the social and emotional problems that teenagers face. Even though they may do well academically, and sometimes even this is not true, they are students first and foremost, not miniature adults, and should be treated as such. The main problem these young people face is that schools do not provide them with material that challenges them. They perform at a much higher level than their peers and require special programs. If a school district does not have the financial capacity to create these programs, these students may not realize their potential. The word “challenge” comes up frequently when describing programs for these students. Furthermore, these students face problems that, oddly enough, may not bother less talented students. These problems include feelings of being “different,” confusion about being gifted, and expectations.