Parental Perceptions of Gifted Children and Their School Experience

This article explores the perceptions of the parents of gifted children regarding the understanding of giftedness and their view of the school experience. Using a qualitative methodology, group interviews were conducted with 51 parents from four schools in Chile. The results show the parents’ perceptions of giftedness and describe both traditional and atypical profiles. While there have been positive experiences in schools, parents reported that the social climate in classrooms was not ideal for gifted students. Parents are critical agents and key informants for increasing the visibility of giftedness, both for identifying and serving gifted children and for providing them with a better school experience by recognizing their characteristics and lived experiences.