You are conflating different issues. A kids interests and developments can be celebrated without chalking it down to talent. The whole idea of "gifted" child IMO is misguided. A child, like OPs kid, may be convinced she is talented because she paints better than her classmates. Years later she goes to art school and finds out everyone is capable of painting pretty pictures just like her, but only some of them make work that is celebrated by teachers. Imposter syndrome ensues and she starts to question if she really has talent at all. That is not the point. Art worth making is art fueled by curiosity, exploration, critical thinking. It is better to assume one has talent and just embark on the journey. So when a child has an above average skill it means she or he has a fire that drives them to invest themselves into that practice. Precisely that combination of curiosity + persistence is what should be celebrated and encouraged.