Frustration
Highly gifted students often feel frustrated with performing menial tasks they may have already mastered. This results in boredom and frustration. They can also tend to be very critical of their own performance. This type of self-criticism along with feelings of having to be perfect, can often “cripple the imagination, kill the spirit, and so handicap performance that an individual may never fulfill the promise of early talent” (Schuler, 2000, p. 184). These feelings of failure can be devastating to the students and can cause them to become so discouraged they drop out of school (Gibbons, 2012).
Research has also shown that this frustration causes some gifted children to become underachievers.
Gifted students can have difficulties in their academic journeys. In their quest to be the best, they often times will become so frustrated they eventually give up completely. These students become known as underachievers (Gibbons, 2012). Some even go so far as to drop out of school. According to the article, “Gifted Students from Low-education Backgrounds," students "felt that problems began early in their school careers and that feelings of not being challenged were pervasive” (Gibbons, 2012, p. 115). Other factors mentioned by these gifted underachievers include substance abuse and other significant losses. It is important to understand the frustration and boredom of gifted children in order to keep them motivated and on track for success. Researchers say that getting these students involved in extracurricular activities will help to ward off these types of frustrations.
For more information about frustration and the gifted child, please listen to the following audio clip.
Research has also shown that this frustration causes some gifted children to become underachievers.
Gifted students can have difficulties in their academic journeys. In their quest to be the best, they often times will become so frustrated they eventually give up completely. These students become known as underachievers (Gibbons, 2012). Some even go so far as to drop out of school. According to the article, “Gifted Students from Low-education Backgrounds," students "felt that problems began early in their school careers and that feelings of not being challenged were pervasive” (Gibbons, 2012, p. 115). Other factors mentioned by these gifted underachievers include substance abuse and other significant losses. It is important to understand the frustration and boredom of gifted children in order to keep them motivated and on track for success. Researchers say that getting these students involved in extracurricular activities will help to ward off these types of frustrations.
For more information about frustration and the gifted child, please listen to the following audio clip.