https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 06 Aug 2026 01:56:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421953 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:35:04 +0000 Cole 421953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely believe some people are naturally smarter, but I also know that hard work can level the playing field. When I taught, there was a boy in my class who was extremely smart, his brain just made connections that other people couldn't see and he picked things up nearly instantly. Yet one day he said to me that he wished he was as smart as a certain other boy in the class- the other boy was average in every sense of the word except he worked harder than any kid I have ever met. Studied for hours, did twice the work assigned to him, reread the texts etc. </p> <p>I would be curious to see where they both end up one day, I am certain both will be successful but in different ways. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421877 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:12:56 +0000 Mrs. Train 421877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with most posters. People have different talents and gifts. It may be intellectual, it may be artistic, or mathematical. There are endless areas that people can hav talents in. But it is not directly related to success. Effort and hard work makes a huge difference. </p> <p>Righ now I am very interested in nature vs nurture. Having an adopted child and three biological children has opened my eyes to the strengths of both influences. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421826 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 13:56:14 +0000 Pink Champagne 421826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do think some kids are just smarter than others. I'm sure environment can factor heavily on some things, but I don't think it can be blamed for everything. Just as I don't think every kid who gets bad grades has a learning disability/doesn't have parents who helped them enough/is a bad test taker. I just think some kids are naturally smarter, just like some kids are natural athletes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421625 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:31:08 +0000 Adira 421625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with @Mrs. Blue. I think some people are born with higher intelligence, but that doesn't correspond to how successful they will be in life.</p> <p>For example, my brother is DEFINITELY smarter than me. Certain things just come easier to him and he's able to grasp complex concepts more quickly than I can. I definitely had to put in more work to achieve the same grades and understand the same concepts than he did.</p> <p>BUT, I am more successful than my brother because I applied myself more and worked harder. In a way, his "smarts" was a detriment to him, because he got used to things coming "easily" and when they didn't, he struggled with how to compensate. In the end, I'm the one with a Master's Degree in Computer Science, a high paying job as a Software Engineer, and have financial security. My brother never finished college and works at a low-end job making just above minimum wage.</p> <p>So life is whatever you make of it, given whatever abilities you have. Being smart probably gives you a leg-up, but I think working-hard probably matters more in the long run. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421555 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:11:28 +0000 prettylizy 421555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do think some kids (people?) are born smarter, but I don't think that anyone is limited. I was always at the head of my classes in grade school and early high school so I never learned to work hard or study, then reality set in when I got to be a senior and in University that I had no study skills or attention span. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421549 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:07:55 +0000 mrbee 421549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: Well I think it gives you a big advantage with melodies. But it taketh away with the harmonies.</p> <p>Perfect pitch does make tuning a violin a lot easier! But it also makes listening to your peers a LOT more painful. Seriously even now I can't watch the singing shows that Mrs. Bee liesk to watch because the pitch problems are so painful for me to hear. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421545 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:06:06 +0000 sunny 421545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Good point! I guess I just assumed that people with perfect pitch had a way easier time with instruments, but I guess that is not always the case and just a case of "the grass is greener...". I do still think that it provides an advantage when playing a stringed instrument though. I had a much easier time with the piano when I didn't have to worry about whether or not I was playing in tune. :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421516 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:53:18 +0000 mrbee 421516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sunny: Yah but someone with only relative pitch has to learn to compensate to adjust, and that can actually be equally or more valuable! I had perfect pitch and played the piano, but found that I didn't have a knack for chords and harmonies. I hadn't had to develop that relative pitch as much and it ended up hurting me for a long time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421509 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:50:49 +0000 sunny 421509@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes for sure some people are born smarter or with aptitude for particular things. For instance, a person born with perfect pitch has a much easier time learning to play the violin than a person without PP. The person born without it might be better off playing a different instrument like the piano, since PP matters a lot less with that instrument.</p> <p>I don't have PP but I learned to play both the violin and piano. I just had to work a lot harder with the violin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421467 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 11:32:45 +0000 Alivoo01 421467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think some kids are born smarter than others. I had to work hard for my "smarts". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421364 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:57:06 +0000 rachiecakes 421364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I do think that some kids are born with talent. Whether it's sports or music or art. I think a lot of "smahts" as we say in Boston, are because of your ability to learn and opportunities you have over others.<br /> I have many artists in my family and it comes to me naturally. It was always really easy for me to excel in art class and I didn't have to try ever. Actually I was flattered and frustrated at the same time, while it was nice to get good grades and be recognized, at the time I wasn't interested in doing it at all. When I would win art awards or get into special classes and seminars I was wishing I could learn an instrument and be better at music. Teachers and family members would encourage me to follow painting and drawing and thought it was silly of me to pursue anything musical. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421358 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:55:26 +0000 SugarplumsMom 421358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with that you wrote: that it's just a temporary advantage. It's nurturing that ability that really matters. "Getting" things easy is a double edged sword; it's easy to not try as hard. In the end, it's the person that preservers that accomplishes what they set out to do. In a way, it's more about good habits than anything else, IMO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421349 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:53:10 +0000 littlek 421349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think some people are smarter than others. I personally don't think I'm smart, I just work really hard. DH is super smart and that is probably the trait I admire most in him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421328 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:44:34 +0000 yoursilverlining 421328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, some people are smarter than others. Just like some people are better natural athletes and some people are better natural musicians.</p> <p>No matter how smart you are though, there are plenty of other people who are just as smart so unless you are willing to work hard you probably won’t be super successful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421324 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:43:52 +0000 MrsSCB 421324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do believe that some people are naturally smarter, but I also believe that others can work really hard and do just as well or better. I went to an advanced high school that you had to apply to (kind of like applying to college) so I saw both people who were incredibly naturally smart, like genius level, and people who worked REALLY hard, hours every night, to get straight As. My husband also went to my high school, and I remember a friend of ours getting mad because she and DH took this multivar calc class together--he didn't do any of the homework (it was optional) and hardly studied but aced every test. She still aced the tests but had to work really hard and so she was annoyed at him for not putting in the work I guess. But anyway, I guess I think that doing well in school is half natural ability and half hard work. If you have a lot of either of those things, you'll be fine, even if you have less of the other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421319 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:41:36 +0000 Andrea 421319@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that some people are born gifted but they still need to work hard like everyone else to get anywhere in life. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421314 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:39:32 +0000 Mrsbells 421314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes some kids are definitely born smarter and with certain natural abilities. learnt to play an instrument but I had to work very hard whereas I know little kids right now who naturally had an ear for music and even though they have never had lessons they are able to teach me things </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421305 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 10:37:00 +0000 Rock n Roll 421305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely think there are people who are smarter, just like there are people who are prettier and funnier and more athletic.</p> <p>There are lots of paths to success, and a lot of definitions of success, so I don't think being smarter or working harder necessarily guarantees success. </p> <p>Natural talent can lead to success, and so can hard work. And sometimes one can have one or both and still not succeed. And people can have neither and still succeed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-421069 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 08:57:50 +0000 ValentineMommy 421069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think everyone has different abilities and natural talents. </p> <p>By age 2, I could play the piano by listening to a song, which I could then play back.</p> <p>My brother, however, could speak and started reading before 18 months. He always did better in school than me, with VERY little effort.</p> <p>BUT, I do believe hard work and lots of effort pays off and evens the playing field. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420892 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:21:33 +0000 DigAPony 420892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There are so many different kinds of learners out there--I think that everyone has different natural strengths, but many outside factors such as a child's home environment, what kinds of classrooms/schools they end up in, etc. contribute to whether or not those strengths get discovered and encouraged. It's the age-old nature versus nurture argument. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420888 Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:10:13 +0000 808love 420888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes. definitely. Answers come to them instantly. I think there is a large amount a person can do through motivation and hard work to achieve comparable results on an everyday level. But that's not the same as being smart. (Or is it?) In my opinion, that's determined....another awesome quality. Not better or worse, just different. :D </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420268 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:59:25 +0000 BananaPancakes 420268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, but I believe hard work and confidence can beat natural smarts any day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420265 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 19:57:50 +0000 Silva 420265@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that just about every quality has both "nature" and "nurture" in its origins.<br /> I also think that "smarter" or "working hard" shouldn't always be equated with "successful", because in my eyes there is typically a lot of privilege that supports most success.</p> <p>I feel like I'm struggling to be articulate here, so hopefully that made sense, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420146 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:17:52 +0000 blackbird 420146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah i do think there is a genetic component to it. But I think a lot of that can be overcome by hard work. But there's no mistaking that there are simply smarter people, who 'get it' without having to put in much work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420138 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:09:04 +0000 Mrs. Blue 420138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do believe some kids are genetically born with higher intellect, though I don't think that always means that school comes "easy" for them. BUT, I firmly believe a kid who works hard will almost always achieve more than a child who is smarter but doesn't put in as much effort. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420134 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:05:37 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 420134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes and no.</p> <p>I think someone can naturally be a good test taker, for example.<br /> I was a great test taker so it made me *seem* smarter than everyone else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420085 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:26:06 +0000 twinmama 420085@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do believe that certain skills and subjects come more easily to certain people. Like I have a natural gift for music that runs in my family, while I have friends who are tone deaf or lack rhythm and no amount of lessons would change that :)</p> <p>I went to a HS with a lot of kids who were tremendously smart but didn't care to work hard. Like 1600 on the SATs but would fail classes. It made me so crazy that they squandered their talents. They were way smarter than me in many ways but I ended up valedictorian because I worked my butt off. </p> <p>So even though some people may be naturally more skilled in certain areas, I think that hard work is the greater predictor of success in life! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420082 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:24:59 +0000 mrbee 420082@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Ah ok. Yah motivation can be an issue with really gifted people.</p> <p>Yah I did it in the post-7th grade summer too... was incredibly humbling to meet so many people that were so gifted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420072 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:18:20 +0000 ShootingStar 420072@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: He's kind of a dev (in the software sense). His job is to fix code with bugs in it. He could've done a lot more, but he's never been super motivated. He also has severe social anxiety, so once he found a job he's been happy to stay there forever.</p> <p>Did you do CTY? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-believe-that-some-kids-are-just-smarter-and-more-gifted#post-420059 Wed, 28 Nov 2012 17:12:51 +0000 mrbee 420059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsCB: Haha too funny... </p> <p>What does he do now? </p>