The Gifted Child’s Bill of Rights: What Families and Educators Should Know

May 2025

By: Deborah Sullivan

If you’re raising or teaching a gifted child, you already know: gifted doesn’t always mean easy. These kids are bright, intense, curious, and often misunderstood. One of the best ways we can support them is by knowing what they deserve — and advocating for it.

That’s where the Gifted Child’s Bill of Rights comes in. Originally developed by Dr. Sally Reis, a longtime leader in gifted education, this list isn’t a law, but it’s a powerful set of guiding principles. When we understand and use it, we give gifted kids the opportunity to thrive — not just survive.

Let’s walk through these rights together, with real-world examples and practical ideas for both educators and parents.

1. The right to learn something new every day

Gifted students often master material quickly, so if the content isn’t new, they may disengage. Learning should be active, not repetitive.

Educators can… pre-assess students and offer enrichment, acceleration, or independent study options. Compacting the curriculum frees up time for deeper exploration.

Parents can… notice what excites their child and provide opportunities at home — through books, puzzles, documentaries, or projects — that introduce fresh topics and skills beyond the school day.

Example: A 3rd grader who has already mastered multiplication explores beginning algebra through math games at school and code.org at home.

2. The right to be challenged at the right level

Gifted students need to work at the edge of their abilities to develop grit and perseverance. If it’s always easy, they don’t learn how to struggle productively.

Educators can… differentiate assignments using tiered tasks, choice boards, or open-ended questions that push thinking. Let students grapple with complex problems that don’t have one right answer.

Parents can… encourage a growth mindset at home. Normalize challenge and remind your child that real learning often feels uncomfortable before it feels rewarding.

Example: A student who quickly finishes her science work is invited to research and present on how climate change impacts polar ecosystems — while her parent helps her manage the frustration of not finding easy answers.

3. The right to be curious, creative, and think differently

Gifted kids often bring unique perspectives. They make unexpected connections and love to ask “what if” questions. These are strengths, not distractions.

Educators can… build in space for inquiry, curiosity-driven research, and brainstorming. Accept unusual answers, and praise original thinking.

Parents can… model curiosity themselves, ask open-ended questions at dinner, and support creative play, tinkering, or passion projects at home.

Example: After asking “What if gravity suddenly disappeared?” during science class, a student is encouraged to write a short story and share it with the class. At home, her parent helps her turn it into a comic.

4. The right to feel emotionally safe and understood

Gifted kids can be emotionally intense. They may overthink, worry deeply, or feel out of sync with peers. It’s essential to support their emotional development alongside academics.

Educators can… create a classroom culture of respect and belonging. Offer private check-ins, journal prompts, or quiet spaces when needed.

Parents can… listen without rushing to fix, validate big emotions, and offer tools like mindfulness, journaling, or therapy when appropriate.

Example: A student who gets overwhelmed during noisy group work is given a quiet seat in class. At home, her parent builds a calm-down space with sensory tools and books.

5. The right to learn with others who understand them

Gifted students often crave intellectual peers. Learning alongside kids who think at a similar level can make them feel more motivated and less isolated.

Educators can… group students by readiness for some tasks, even across grade levels when possible. Encourage peer collaboration on advanced projects.

Parents can… look for outside programs, clubs, or summer camps where their child can connect with like-minded peers, whether that’s in robotics, creative writing, or chess.

Example: A highly verbal 2nd grader is grouped with older students for a book study at school and joins a library writing club on Saturdays.

6. The right to be seen for more than a test score

Not all gifted children “look gifted” on paper. Some are twice-exceptional, some underachieve, and others show giftedness in creative or nontraditional ways.

Educators can… use multiple measures for identification — observations, portfolios, conversations — not just standardized tests. Understand that giftedness can coexist with learning differences or social challenges.

Parents can… document their child’s strengths and advocate for holistic evaluation when needed. Keep examples of advanced work or creative problem-solving to share with the school team.

Example: A dyslexic student who struggles with writing shares an original invention design and video explanation. The school uses this as part of a gifted referral, and the parent helps the team understand his strengths and needs.

7. The right to advocacy

Gifted students may not get what they need unless someone speaks up — kindly, clearly, and persistently. Advocacy is about ensuring access to appropriate learning.

Educators can… partner with families and listen to concerns. Create flexible pathways to support acceleration, enrichment, and social-emotional development.

Parents can… ask questions, document concerns, and request meetings with a solutions-focused mindset. You don’t have to be an expert — just a consistent voice for your child’s needs.

Example: A parent gathers student work and emails a respectful request for more advanced reading options. The teacher responds with a plan to meet the student’s needs and updates throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

Gifted kids aren’t trying to be difficult. They’re trying to be seen, understood, and challenged. When we meet them with compassion and flexibility, we help them grow into their full potential, not just academically, but as whole people.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, counselor, or all three, you don’t have to do this alone. I offer coaching strategy sessions designed to support you in creating meaningful, manageable plans for the gifted children in your life.

Let’s work together to turn their rights into realities.

📩 Book a Strategy Session

References

• National Association for Gifted Children (2019). Pre-K–Grade 12 Gifted Programming Standards. https://www.nagc.org

• Reis, S. M. (2007). Gifted Children’s Bill of Rights. NAGC Newsletter

• Tomlinson, C. A. (2014). The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners

• Silverman, L. K. (2013). Giftedness 101. Springer Publishing

• NAGC Parent Advocacy Toolkit: https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources-parents