ABSTRACT
Children gifted in any way are normally conscious of their differences and, on the whole, children prefer to conform. Consequently, many gifted children are thought to hide their abilities at school and perform at a not too noticeable level. Being gifted, they are often very good at it. But the price of anonymity is high – frustration, boredom and disenchantment with school. Gifted children are very often bored at school. Like the slow learner, the child is either doomed to hours of boredom in a formal school situation, or he will look round for relief in the form of more challenging problems and may become a ringleader in mischief. Gifted children of any disposition need challenge rather than spoon-feeding. Teachers and parents may find themselves more in the position of a testing board or assault course for a child's fertile imagination, than in more conventional roles.
