While IQ tests and other assessments can help identify giftedness in school-age children, kids are also commonly identified as gifted by the observations of families, teachers, and friends. Below are some of the many characteristics that gifted children often exhibit, adapted from a detailed checklist from Austega. Note: no one gifted child exhibits all the traits.
- Has early interest in words and reading
- Has exceptionally large vocabulary for their age
- Learns rapidly, easily and efficiently
- Is curious about objects or situations, asks provocative questions; enjoys exploratory activities
- Has an unusually strong memory, but is bored with memorization and recitation
- Is flexible in thinking patterns; makes unusual associations between remote ideas
- Is independent
- Has a wide range of interests
- Demonstrates unusual reasoning power
- Likes structure, order and consistency
- Show unusual degrees of originality, concentration and persistent hard work on projects that capture their interest and imagination
- Is perceptually open to his or her environment
- Has an advanced sense of humor
- Is sensitive to the feelings of others
- Shows more interest in creative effort and new activities than in routine and repetitive tasks
- Shows an intense interest and aptitude in an artistic activity, such as drawing, singing, dancing, writing, or playing a musical instrument
- Is intellectually playful, interested in fantasy, imagination
- Acts as a leader among children of their own age
- Tries to excel in almost everything she does
- Senses when problems exist; always trying to adapt or improve things
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