Is Your Child Bored in Class? It Could Be a Sign of Giftedness (HPI)

“My child is bored at school. Could they be gifted?”

It’s a question I hear more and more from parents, often whispered through clenched jaws after another evening of tears over homework. You may be wondering the same thing, especially if your child complains that school is “too easy,” rushes through homework only to make careless mistakes, or daydreams their way through the school day. They're not lazy—far from it. The disconnect might not be with your child, but with the classroom environment itself.

Understanding Giftedness: More Than Just Good Grades

Giftedness—known in French as Haut Potentiel Intellectuel (HPI)—is often misunderstood. An HPI child doesn’t always fit the image of a top student with flawless grades. In fact, many gifted children underperform or even seem disengaged. Why? Because their intellectual needs simply aren’t being met.

They may process information faster, make connections beyond what's being taught, and thrive on complexity. When school feels repetitive or superficial, they check out. That’s not misbehavior, it’s frustration in disguise. Recognizing this pattern can be a turning point.

Take Léa, 9 years old, obsessed with the mechanics of space travel. Math lessons bored her because she already knew the answers—yet she failed tests. After pushing for an evaluation, her parents discovered she was HPI. The issue wasn’t the content itself, but the way it was delivered. She needed stimulation, not repetition.

If you’re wondering where to start, this guide on recognizing early signs of giftedness is an excellent first step.

When Boredom Becomes a Warning Sign

All kids get bored from time to time. But when boredom becomes chronic, shows up as anxiety, defiance, or emotional shutdown, it’s time to dig deeper. Here are some questions to consider:

• Does your child report school as "useless" or "too slow"?
• Do they hyper-focus on complex topics at home?
• Are they emotionally intense, sensitive, or socially out of sync with peers?

These can all point to a child whose needs are mismatched with their school environment. For a deeper dive into what this mismatch looks like and how to move forward, this article outlines the signs and next steps to consider.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Child Is HPI

The first step is usually an evaluation by a psychologist trained in cognitive testing, particularly the WISC (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children). While not everyone is comfortable with the label "gifted," getting clarity can bring actionable solutions—both at school and at home.

From there, you'll need to advocate. For some families, this means requesting curriculum adaptations or enrichment activities. For others, it could lead to a grade skip or, more rarely, a switch to a specialized program.

In the meantime, you can support your child’s thirst for learning in ways that school may not allow. Challenge them with problem-solving games, let them explore niche interests, or turn lessons into interactive experiences. In our connected world, this is easier than ever. Some parents use tools that turn lessons into immersive audio adventures where their child becomes the hero of the story—especially helpful for gifted kids who thrive on storytelling and roleplay, or those who get restless with conventional methods.

Want help advocating at school? Don’t miss our companion article: How to Support Your Gifted Child at School.

Addressing Resistance to Homework

Many HPI kids don’t just get bored in class—they wrestle even more at home. They might argue, procrastinate, or completely ignore homework assignments. Often, this is not defiance but disinterest. If the homework feels redundant or meaningless, why would they put effort into it?

Rather than force battles every evening, consider reframing the work. For example, take a photo of a lesson and turn it into a 20-question quiz tailored to their interests, adding a sense of challenge and engagement. This approach is used by the Skuli App (available on iOS & Android), which helps reframe routine revision into a game-like experience for curious minds.

If your child is also struggling with focusing or managing energy levels while working, you might be dealing with something more complex—like ADHD, which can co-exist with HPI. Learn more in this article on making homework easier for kids with ADHD.

Every Gifted Child Is Unique

Finally, it’s important to remember that the gifted label doesn't make life easier. In fact, it often brings its own set of big questions and emotional complexities—for both the child and the family. These kids need challenge, yes, but also patience, empathy, and understanding adults who appreciate the full range of who they are.

So if your child says they’re bored, don’t dismiss it. It might just be their way of asking for more—more imagination, more depth, more connection. And maybe, that curiosity is the very thing that will help them thrive.

Make space for that spark. Feed it. Protect it. And when in doubt, remember you’re not alone in this journey.