Supporting parents and carers
Advice for parents and carers of high potential and gifted students.
The High Potential and Gifted Education Policy was developed after extensive consultation. This included parent organisations such as the Federation of Parents and Citizens Association of NSW, Gifted Families Support Group and Gifted Learners with Disability Australia.
Signs of high potential
High potential and gifted children may exhibit/demonstrate several of the following signs:
- curiosity
- learning new ideas or skills quickly and easily
- displaying a good memory
- asking complex questions
- being creative
- enjoying thinking in complex ways
- requiring fewer repetitions when learning new things
- becoming very focused in their area of interest or passion
Children with high potential like to be challenged. If you observe your child is more advanced than their peers, in any area or domain, it is recommended that you discuss this with your child's teacher or other professional.
A rapid rate of learning means these children may enjoy opportunities beyond the typical level of other children their age.
Resources are available to support your child at school and at home.
High potential and gifted students
Potential exists along a continuum. Differing degrees of potential require differing approaches.
High potential indicates a child's natural abilities to develop skills and knowledge faster and with greater ease than their same age peers.
Gifted children have a natural ability to develop advanced skills that significantly exceed those of age peers. Approximately 10% of students may be considered gifted.
Highly gifted children’s potential vastly exceeds that of age peers. They will achieve mastery and skills in any domain notably faster. Highly gifted students have potential assessed in the top 1% or less of age peers.
The domains of potential
There are 4 domains of potential: intellectual, creative, physical and social-emotional High potential and gifted (HPG) students across all 4 domains of potential require evidence-based talent development to optimise their growth and achievement.
Families, educators, peers and mentors, events and programs can play a key role in supporting talent development for HPG students.
The 4 domains of potential often overlap and are highly influenced by one another.
Creative domain
The creative domain refers to natural abilities in imagination, invention and originality.
- Signs of high potential include originality, innovation and inventiveness in organising ideas, images, words, sound, movement and objects (including digital media).
- Learning in the creative domain occurs within and across a range of subjects, including mathematics, science, creative arts, English and literary arts, design and technology, social sciences and sport.
- Benefits of creative development include self-expression, problem solving, risk-taking and experimentation, reduction in stress and anxiety and feelings of accomplishment and pride.
- Examples of students who have developed their potential:
Intellectual domain
The intellectual domain refers to natural abilities in processing, understanding, reasoning, and the transfer of learning.
- Signs of high potential include verbal, numerical, logic and spatial aptitudes, synthesis and evaluation, abstract thinking, use of long term and working memory, and problem solving.
- Intellectual development assists students to be observant, intrinsically motivated and goal-driven, with creative, critical and independent thinking skills.
- Examples of students who have developed their potential:
Physical domain
The physical domain refers to natural abilities in muscular movement and motor control.
- Signs of high potential in the physical domain include power, speed (muscular), muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, speed (of reflexes), agility, coordination and balance.
- High potential in the physical domain may be observed in a range of contexts, such as sport, dance and performance.
- Examples of students who have developed their potential:
Social-emotional domain
The social-emotional domain refers to natural abilities in self-management and relating to and interacting with others.
- Signs of natural abilities include perceptiveness, empathy, social ease, tactfulness, influence, persuasiveness, eloquence, leadership, and charisma.
- Social-emotional development and wellbeing of high potential and gifted students is supported by learning environments that enable them to connect, succeed and thrive.
- Social-emotional development assists students to cope with stressors, manage behaviours, and effectively work with others, positively contributing to society.
- Examples of students who have developed their potential in the social-emotional domain include:
- Vaneeza’s high potential in the social-emotional domain is evident in her sense of compassion and empathy. Read more.
- Ben’s high potential in the creative and social-emotional domains is evident in his inclusive behaviours and ability to create and problem solve design challenges. Read more.
- Nazli’s high potential in the intellectual and social-emotional domains is evident in her optimism and enthusiasm about learning and social justice. Read more.