How do I know if my child is gifted?
There are many varieties of gifted children. Some are high achievers who learn quickly and persevere in areas of interest, some are under-achievers that have good problem-solving abilities but may be bored with school, and some have advanced academic capability that is hidden by another exceptionality or learning difference.
Although in our society giftedness is often equated with a high intellect or extreme areas of ability, we now understand that giftedness is much more complex. Academic achievement is not always a reliable indicator of being gifted. A more holistic approach to identifying giftedness is to focus on the whole child - on their behavioral and personality characteristics as a window into how they think and perceive the world with which they interact.
According to research by Linda K. Silverman, Ph.D. (Gifted Development Center in Denver, CO) most gifted children show many of these characteristics:
- Good problem-solving abilities
- Rapid learner
- Extensive vocabulary
- Good memory
- Long attention span
- Sensitivity and compassion for others
- Perfectionism
- High degree of energy
- Preference for older companions
- Wide range of interests
- Excellent sense of humor, witty
- Early or avid reader
- Ability with puzzles, mazes, or numbers
- Curiosity
- Perseverance in areas of interest
- May question authority
- Reach milestones quicker than their peers
- Think abstractly
If your child displays many of these qualities, they most likely are gifted in some way. We encourage you to nurture their innate abilities and interests. Giftedness is typically innate, but applying gifted abilities and talents requires an environment that fosters the child's unique needs.
One way to foster their giftedness is through us. We offer full-time giftedness courses as well as enrichment courses that fit in with the educational program of the gifted student. Go to our other pages to see more details about the courses we offer, the options you have available, and the benefits to your child.