You may think that your son or daughter is really smart, but how do you know if they are truly gifted? Sometimes it can be hard to tell unless you know what signs to look for. The notion of giftedness has changed to include more than just academic achievement. It includes creativity, leadership and sports aptitude.
Won’t My Child’s School Tell Me If My Son or Daughter Is Gifted?
Many parents trust that their child’s school will be able to identify if their child is gifted. Parents should not be dependent upon school when it comes to recognizing giftedness. Most teachers are not trained to recognize gifted children. In addition, many schools do not begin identifying gifted students until 3rd grade or later. Therefore, parents of exceptionally bright children may want to consider private testing or an alternative placement for their gifted child.
Why Is Identifying Gifted Students Important?
The reason that it is so important to identify whether or not your child is gifted is because they need special attention and education to nurture their abilities and allow them to reach their full potential. Children that are intellectually advanced are uniquely vulnerable. Many have a difficult time adjusting to a regular classroom and display behavioral problems, which may lead them to be misdiagnosed with ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder or other mental issues when they actually are gifted. Behavioral issues can mask giftedness, leading the child to not receive the special care that is required to cultivate their talents.
So, how do you know if your child is actually gifted or high ability? There are certain characteristics that gifted children tend to exhibit. Here are some of the most common signs of giftedness.
Strong Determination
Have you heard others say that your child is very stubborn or persistent? Does it seem as though they never give up once they set their mind to something? Gifted children tend to be very strong-willed and determined. They may become very frustrated when they are prevented from doing something that they want to do. This determination means that your child is less likely to follow others and more likely to be a leader.
Very Observant
Gifted children tend to be extremely observant. They often notice things that other children do not notice and pay a lot of attention to details.
Advanced Language Development
Was your son or daughter speaking three to five-word sentences at 2 years old? If so, you may have a gifted child on your hands. Gifted children often talk earlier, use longer and more complex word sentences and have larger vocabularies than non-gifted peers.
Thinks Abstractly
Does your child have insight into moral and ethical issues? Do they ask questions that their siblings never even thought about at their age? Have they grasped advanced mathematical concepts that have not even been taught in school yet? These characteristics are all signs of abstract thinking.
Loves to Read
Gifted children tend to be early, voracious readers. They often teach themselves to read as pre-schoolers. They tend to have better reading comprehension and read at advanced levels for their age.
If your child displays any of the above characteristics, it is important to have them evaluated to determine the need for gifted education. Often, an alternative school setting, one that is focused on gifted education is best, as gifted children need an educational setting tailored to their unique needs.
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