Introduction by GiftedKids.in
Ask most Indian parents how their child is doing and you will get a number. A percentage, a rank, a percentile from some test. It is the one measure everybody in the system agrees on, so it becomes the answer to every question about a child — including questions it was never built to answer.
This is the article to read first if you have started wondering whether something about how your child thinks is not showing up on the report card.
“My child always comes first in class. Does that mean my child is gifted?”
A Question I Hear Almost Every Week
This is probably one of the most common questions parents ask me. It is an understandable question because school grades are visible, measurable and easy to compare. Yet after more than two decades of assessing children, I have learnt that the answer is rarely straightforward.
Some of the highest-achieving children I have assessed were bright, motivated learners who flourished because school suited their learning style. At the same time, some exceptionally gifted children were underachieving, bored or misunderstood. Their true abilities only became apparent when we looked beyond examination results.
One lesson my work has taught me is this: a report card tells us what a child has learnt. It does not always tell us how a child learns.
Why the Difference Matters
Bright children usually learn quickly once something has been taught. Gifted children often want to know why. They ask unexpected questions, make unusual connections and enjoy exploring ideas long after everyone else has moved on. They are not simply learning faster; they are often thinking differently.
Giftedness is therefore about much more than academic performance. It reflects the way a child reasons, solves problems, approaches new ideas and experiences the world.
What I Have Learnt From My Assessment Room
One child I assessed was referred because his teachers described him as careless and inconsistent. His books were untidy, homework was frequently incomplete and he often appeared distracted. Yet during the assessment he solved unfamiliar problems with remarkable originality and depth. His difficulty was never a lack of ability. He had simply spent years working below the level at which he was capable of thinking.
Experiences like this have reminded me never to judge children too quickly. Sometimes giftedness hides behind boredom, perfectionism, anxiety or behaviour that adults misunderstand.
What Parents Can Do
- Observe how your child thinks, not just how your child performs.
- Welcome questions, even when you do not know the answers.
- Encourage interests that go beyond the school curriculum.
- Remember that emotional wellbeing is just as important as intellectual development.
- If your child's potential seems inconsistent with school performance, consider a comprehensive assessment rather than relying solely on grades.
Myth vs Reality
Gifted children always come first in class.
Many do not. Achievement is influenced by motivation, opportunity, emotional wellbeing, executive functioning and whether a child is sufficiently challenged.
Dr Inderbir's Reflection
Over the years, I have become less interested in asking, "Is this child gifted?" Instead, I ask, "What does this child need to flourish?"
A report card tells us what a child has learnt. It does not always tell us how that child learns. When parents shift their focus from chasing a label to understanding how their child thinks and learns, everything changes. The conversations become richer, expectations become healthier and children are given the opportunity to develop into the very best version of themselves.
That, to me, is the true purpose of recognising giftedness.
Want to Learn More?
Dr Inderbir Kaur Sandhu is a psychologist, gifted education specialist and author of The Secret to Raising a Smarter Child. With over two decades of experience working with gifted and twice-exceptional children, she specialises in understanding how children think, learn and thrive. Her work focuses on cognitive assessment, talent development and helping families nurture children's strengths while supporting their social and emotional development.