Have you ever watched a new parent witness their offspring accomplish a task for the very first time and then gush about how amazing said offspring is? It’s the most natural response ever! The very next thought that arises in that parent’s mind goes something like this. “Am I just enamored with everything my child says and does OR is my child gifted?” That is an excellent and valid question. Those first steps may not be an out-of-the ordinary mile marker moment; however, the first words they read by themselves may indeed be. So that determination is very hard to ascertain based on parental bias.
Thankfully there are a slew of general characteristics that will bubble to the surface allowing you to objectively (if that’s really possible) consider where on the pendulum your child may fall. The character, demeanor, thinking processes, emotions, perceptions and leadership qualities of the gifted child are different from the typical child. Here are four lists for your consideration beginning with this excellent one from the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). Keep in mind, it is only one of many great lists out there, which once again shows how we all do not define giftedness similarly. Think about your child as you read over this list, keeping in mind that not all children will exhibit all characteristics.
1. Shows superior reasoning powers and marked ability to handle ideas; can generalize readily from specific facts and can see subtle relationships; has outstanding problem-solving ability.
2. Shows persistent intellectual curiosity; asks searching questions; shows exceptional interest in the nature of man and the universe.
3. Has a wide range of interests, often of an intellectual kind; develops one or more interests to considerable depth.
4. Is markedly superior in quality and quantity of written and/or spoken vocabulary; is interested in the subtleties of words and their uses.
5. Reads avidly and absorbs books well beyond his or her years.
6. Learns quickly and easily and retains what is learned; recalls important details, concepts and principles; comprehends readily.
7. Shows insight into arithmetical problems that require careful reasoning and grasps mathematical concepts readily.
8. Shows creative ability or imaginative expression in such things as music, art, dance, drama; shows sensitivity and finesse in rhythm, movement, and bodily control.
9. Sustains concentration for lengthy periods and shows outstanding responsibility and independence in classroom work.
10. Sets realistically high standards for self; is self-critical in evaluating and correcting his or her own efforts.
11. Shows initiative and originality in intellectual work; shows flexibility in thinking and considers problems from a number of viewpoints.
12. Observes keenly and is responsive to new ideas.
13. Shows social poise and an ability to communicate with adults in a mature way.
14. Gets excitement and pleasure from intellectual challenge; shows an alert and subtle sense of humor.
Maybe a simpler list is more to your liking like Dr. Linda Silvermans’s list.
• Reasons well (good thinker)
• Learns rapidly
• Has extensive vocabulary
• Has an excellent memory
• Has a long attention span (if interested)
• Sensitive (feelings hurt easily)
• Shows compassion
• Perfectionistic
• Intense
• Morally sensitive
• Has strong curiosity
• Perseverant in their interests
• Has high degree of energy
• Prefers older companions or adults
• Has a wide range of interests
• Has a great sense of humor
• Early or avid reader (if too young to read, loves being read to)
• Concerned with justice, fairness
• Judgment mature for age at times
• Is a keen observer
• Has a vivid imagination
• Is highly creative
• Tends to question authority
• Has facility with numbers
• Good at jigsaw puzzles
Now you have a general idea of things to look for as you watch your child learn and mature. Additionally, Dr.Patricia Fioriello has an extensive list of 50 Common Characteristics at her outstanding educational site. Sometimes kids are bright eager learners but don’t fit the gifted profile. This leads us to another interesting chart comparing the bright child with the gifted child based on the research of Janice Szabos in her published piece “Bright Child Gifted Learner.”
You may be even more confused at this point than when you started. It’s okay. Giftedness is a journey, far from a cut and dried project. There are many, many layers to unpack. It begins with identification, grows into education and something to champion for life. Maybe you have a three year old or a thirteen year old that you are trying to figure out. We all start in different places, at different times and for different reasons. As I said in “Initiation into Giftedness” we are wading out of the shallow end of the pool and headed for the deeper waters with this topic. Knowing and recognizing the characteristics of the gifted is just the tip of the iceberg. My goal was to provide you with a filter through which you can evaluate your child’s unique characteristics; because the gifted child has quite a character to go right along with them!
Do you see your child in the cross hairs of these lists? Do you see yourself?
Read Often, Vote Daily.