Mentors, role models, and heroes in the lives of gifted children

Abstract Gifted children can benefit from relationships with adults who are successful in their areas of interest. These adults may be present in children's lives as mentors, role models, or heroes and heroines. The relationships that develop range from close, interactive partnerships to admiration or imitation of public figures. This review examines the literature dealing with mentorships, mentor programs for gifted students, the use of role models in gifted education, and the heroes of gifted children as compared to those of the general population. The conclusions drawn from literature in these areas have a number of implications for further research and for the field of gifted education.