The public school system today tends to focus on helping every child meet specific standards for learning. While the concept of helping every child has it’s finer points, there is still an entire group of children that may not be receiving the education they need to foster their development. Gifted children are often overlooked in the classroom because they score well on tests and are motivated to complete their homework. Unfortunately, a lack of support means that a gifted child’s talents may never fully develop. To keep this from happening, parents and educators should be aware of the need for identifying gifted students and the characteristics associated with giftedness so that strategies can be implemented to allow these children to reach their full potential.
Importance of Early Identification
At first glace, a child who sails through their assignments and aces their tests seems like a dream come true. However, gifted children face certain risks in the classroom that can hinder their development. For example, a child who is never challenged will never learn how to overcome adversity. It is also common for gifted children to become bored and completely lose interest in their classes. In some cases, gifted children excel in one area such as music, yet they may need intensive tutoring in their academic courses. Identifying gifted students as early as possible allows parents and teachers to implement intervention strategies that will prevent children from experiencing negative consequences in the classroom.
Traits of Gifted Children
As with any exceptional child, the characteristics of giftedness can vary wildly from one student to another. However, there are certain traits that tend to stand out, and these include the following:
- Scoring two or more standard deviations on IQ tests.
- Academic performance several grades above their actual age.
- Calling out the answers to questions quickly.
- Turning in incomplete assignments and saying they were too easy.
- Uneven development (scoring above average in a subject, two grades below average in another).
- Difficulty fitting in with peers.
- Behavioral issues such as hyperactivity due to boredom.
- Above average creative, athletic or academic talent.
- Emotional struggles with anxiety, sensitivity or perfectionism.
- In-depth focus on one subject/task while neglecting other aspects of their work.
The Assessment Process
Parents are often surprised at the lengthy process that is required when identifying gifted students. However, using a multi-method approach ensures that no gifted child is overlooked. While an intelligence test is often the first assessment given, it is recognized that no single test can provide a full snapshot of a child’s abilities. For this reason, more information will be gathered to create a full portfolio of a child’s academic performance, educational background and talents. Parent and teacher interviews, work samples and observations may all be incorporated into a child’s gifted and talented assessment.
Supporting Gifted and Talented Children
After identifying gifted students, there are many things that can be done to support their development. For many families, enrollment in a program designed for gifted children is an ideal solution since it puts children in touch with others who understand the unique challenges they face in the classroom. Providing extracurricular activities and helping children overcome emotional and behavioral challenges such as anxiety can also help them excel.
For many families, a gifted child is one who needs support the most in an academic setting, yet it can be challenging to know exactly what characteristics qualify a child as gifted. By being alert for signs of exceptional learning, families and teachers can initiate the process of identifying giving students and giving gifted children the support necessary to nurture their intellectual development.
