Think Different, Act Different, Be Different

What I gathered from a mum this week is that the streaming of students at 10 years old into the "Gifted Education Program" (GEP) and "the rest" has been completed!

So....how does "the rest" feel?

Her son is a smart kid. I have no doubt about it and his school exam results show it.
But he did not make it into the GEP.
He was sorely disappointed, showed signs of 'depression' and could not understand why kids who seemed 'less smart' made it into the GEP!

I tried to explain that all of us are gifted ....just that our giftings are in different things.
Some are good at Mathematics, some in music, some in sports, some in curiosity, some in creativity, some in talking, some in teaching, some in making people laugh, some in playing tricks, some in cheating others......( hmm, this is a talent too!)

When a child does not make it into the GEP, it does not mean he is a failure!
Yes --- he failed to get into the program, but all through life, there will be so many things he will not win or get what he wants ---- competitions, scholarships, relationships, jobs, promotions, and on and on.

So, let's face it:
If it's about pride, be humbled --- it's not the end of the world!
If it's about gifting, be different --- look for his natural talent and build on it!
If it's about IQ, be assured --- his EQ (emotional quotient) will see him through life further and better than his IQ!