As a parent of gifted children let me assure you, we have all had this experience: Someone tells you that your child is gifted and that you need to learn more about what that means. You think to yourself:  

This is true for some parents of gifted children, but certainly not all!  Gifted children learn faster and think deeper than their age-mates. Fundamentally, this is a learning difference, and can cause disconnects, particularly in the classroom.  These disconnects matter, and are something of which a parent needs to be aware. There are also other attributes that many gifted children share that can be useful to understand.  

If you are just beginning this journey into giftedness, here are some places to begin:

Websites:

• Stephanie Tolan's Is it a Cheetah
• Caroline K's Hoagie's Gifted Education Page: Gifted 101

• Tips for parents of gifted children: What most parents wish they had known on the Gifted Challenges: "Beyond intellect: Exploring the social and emotional aspects of giftedness."

• National Association for Gifted Children: Resources for Parents
• Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted website (www.sengifted.org)