As a parent of a gifted child, you’ve likely seen it: that electric spark, the insatiable curiosity, the way your child asks questions no one else seems to think of. Maybe you’ve been amazed by their vocabulary at age four or their ability to make strange connections between science, art, and mythology over dinner. Maybe you’re watching your child dim their light in a traditional classroom, or you’re exploring new learning environments because something just doesn’t feel right.

If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone. And your child is not broken. In fact, they might be a cheetah.

In her beautiful metaphor, “Is It a Cheetah?”, author Stephanie Tolan explores what happens when gifted children – like cheetahs – are placed in environments that fail to recognize or accommodate their nature. Tolan writes, “If a cheetah is judged by how well it can climb a tree, it might spend its life feeling inadequate.”

Let’s explore what this metaphor means for you and your gifted child and how understanding this can lead you to find better fits, more fulfilling learning experiences, and the freedom for your child to finally run.

The Cheetah Metaphor

Cheetahs are biologically built to sprint. They’re graceful, fast, and precise. But if you cage them, underfeed them, or never give them room to stretch their legs, you might never see what they’re truly capable of. In fact, you might mistake them for something they’re not.

Gifted children are like this. They are cognitively, emotionally, and often creatively wired to think fast, feel deeply, and see widely. But in environments that don’t offer challenge, flexibility, or stimulation, these traits can go unnoticed, or worse, be misunderstood.

When a gifted child isn’t challenged:

• They may become anxious or depressed.
• They may act out or “shut down.”
• They may learn to hide their abilities just to fit in.
• They may stop trying entirely because they’ve never been taught how to struggle productively.

It’s often not the child that’s the problem, it’s the environment. As parents, understanding this is a critical first step.

The Problem Isn’t Perfectionism – It’s Pacing

One of the most common issues gifted children face in traditional settings is misalignment. They’re ready to zoom ahead, but the system asks them to slow down and wait. Over time, this mismatch can lead to boredom, frustration, and even self-doubt.

Tolan reminds us that we don’t ask a cheetah to prove itself by performing tricks like a dog in obedience school. We don’t fault it for not barking on command. Gifted children are often expected to conform to teaching methods and timelines that just don’t match how their brains work.

They need:

• Acceleration options that allow them to move at their own pace.
• Deep-dive enrichment that fuels their curiosity.
• Educators who “get it” and aren’t threatened by precociousness or creativity.
• A community that respects their intensity instead of labeling it as “too much.”

And perhaps most importantly, they need space to run.

Gifted and Misunderstood: A Familiar Tale

Imagine a parent-teacher conference where you hear:

• “He finishes early and distracts the others.”
• “She asks too many questions.”
• “He seems disinterested in the material.”
• “She’s smart but lacks focus.”

Now imagine instead a setting where the response is:

• “He’s ready for something more advanced, let’s plan how to get him there.”
• “She’s full of ideas, let’s explore a project-based challenge.”
• “He needs fewer worksheets and more complex material.”
• “She’s a natural thinker, let’s give her room to grow.”

Giftedness is not simply about high achievement. It’s a different way of processing the world, and it requires a different approach to education.

Enter Cyber School: The Open Savannah

For some families, cyber education becomes the open field – the flexible, responsive environment where gifted kids can finally accelerate, explore, and express themselves. It allows for:

• Customized pacing: Students can move faster in areas of strength and take their time where they need support.
• Curriculum choice: With asynchronous courses, self-paced modules, and built-in opportunities for enrichment, the learning path becomes personal.
• Real connections: Contrary to myths, cyber students can build meaningful relationships with teachers and peers, especially when those relationships are based on shared interests and thoughtful interaction.
• Fewer limitations: Without the constraints of physical classrooms, scheduling, or peer pressure to “fit in,” gifted kids can just be themselves.

It’s not the solution for every family, but for some cheetahs, it’s exactly the kind of ecosystem they need to thrive.

What You Can Do: Helping Your Cheetah Run

Whether you’re already part of a cyber school or simply exploring, here are some things you can do to support your gifted learner:

1. Watch and Listen
Pay attention to the moments when your child lights up. What topics, formats, or challenges seem to bring them joy? Where do they get bored or shut down? Your observations are powerful data points.

2. Connect With Like-Minded Parents
Being the parent of a gifted child can feel isolating, especially when others misinterpret your child’s needs. Seek out online communities, gifted associations (like PAGE), and local resources that can help you advocate and share ideas. At Achievement House Cyber Charter School, we offer monthly gifted parent meetings in a virtual format to help make that social connection.

3. Learn the Language
Understanding terms like “asynchronous development,” “acceleration,” or “twice-exceptional” can help you communicate effectively with educators and identify what your child really needs.

4. Ask About Acceleration
Don’t be afraid to ask your school what options are available for acceleration. A school that understands gifted learners should have clear, supportive processes in place, and if they don’t, that’s a red flag.

5. Prioritize Fit Over Prestige
Sometimes we get caught up in the idea of “the best school,” when the real question should be: “What’s the best fit for my child?” Environments that nurture creativity, autonomy, and challenge are often the ones where gifted kids feel most at home.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Cage the Cheetah

Your gifted child is not “too much.” They are not “weird” or “difficult” or “ahead of themselves.” They are a cheetah. And cheetahs are born to move.

Choosing a learning environment that honors that truth is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child.

Let them run.

Want to learn more about how AHCCS supports gifted students through acceleration and personalized learning? Visit our Gifted Education page or reach out to our enrollment department today.