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Gifted Children
Their Trials and Triumphs By Gwen Morrison
Patrysha Korchinski of McLennan, Alberta, Canada, knew that her son was exceptional before he was even 2 years old.
"He knew all his letters (among other things)," says Korchinski. "My 
mother once accused me of pushing my son. How do you explain to someone who does not know that he picked it up all on his own?"
Korchinski learned that she needed to become her son's advocate right from the start. So when he was just 4 years old, and not quite old enough for kindergarten, she approached the school board to voice her concerns.
"I got the distinct impression from the superintendent that they thought I was an overzealous parent," says Korchinski. "Fortunately, my presentation to the school board did prove that my son was indeed able to read, write and do math at a grade one level. Unfortunately, all it meant was that he was admitted to kindergarten with very little attention given to his special needs, and he spent most of the year bored and unchallenged."
"I think gifted programs in schools are wonderful," says Angela Smith, a teacher in Lawrenceville, Ga. "They definitely motivate students, and the students love it! They are surrounded by people who think like they do, and they don't have to wait for others to 'catch up.' They can work at their own pace, which is usually quicker than an average student."
