Characteristics of A Gifted Child
Blog by Fouzia Fayaz:
A gifted child is one who exhibits remarkable ability or promises in one or more fields, such as the arts, leadership, creativity, or academics. Children that are gifted frequently have a vast vocabulary, good recall, and an advanced capacity for abstract thought. They frequently have a curious nature and relish learning new things.
Children's giftedness is identified by a multi-step procedure that takes into account their IQ, success on achievement tests, and behavior and performance observations. The child's potential for development in particular areas, such as creativity, leadership, or the arts, might also be used to make an identification.
Children that are gifted may have particular educational, social, and emotional requirements, and there are specific resources and programs available to help them. These programs may offer opportunities for acceleration and enrichment as well as content that has been particularly created.
Although gifted children can exhibit a wide range of traits, some typical ones are as follows:
High cognitive skills: Children that are gifted frequently have a vast vocabulary, good recall, and an advanced capacity for abstract thought. They could also be exceptionally gifted in subjects like math, science, or language.
Curiosity: Children who are gifted often have a high sense of curiosity and enjoy learning new things. They might have a tonne of questions, have a broad range of interests, and be self-driven learners.
Creativity: Children that are gifted may possess a high level of creativity, which can be seen in their writing, artwork, or problem-solving abilities.
Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving abilities: Children that are gifted may be able to think in a complex and abstract way and possess these abilities.
Early development: Children that are gifted may acquire some knowledge or skills earlier than their peers, such as reading or writing.
Strong sense of justice and morality: Children that are gifted may have a strong sense of what is right and wrong, as well as a strong sense of fairness.
Intensity and perfectionism: Children that are gifted may have a great desire to succeed and may devote a lot of themselves in their hobbies or passions. They could also have a high standard for perfection and be quite hard on themselves if they don't succeed.
High vigor: Children that are gifted may be enthusiastic, lively, and inquisitive. In a traditional classroom context, they could also struggle to sit still or concentrate.
Strong imagination and mature sense of humor: Talented children may have an advanced sense of humor, which can be seen in their play and writing.
High sense of empathy and compassion: Children that are gifted may possess a great sense of empathy as well as a strong sense of compassion for other people.
Leadership qualities: Children that are gifted may be naturally capable of taking charge in a group environment.
It's important to keep in mind that not all gifted children exhibit all of these qualities and that every child is different. However, a child is not necessarily gifted just because they exhibit some or all of these qualities. It's crucial to keep in mind that a gifted child's traits can change based on their area of giftedness. Children who are musically gifted, for instance, could exhibit distinct traits than those who are mathematically gifted.
Also, it's crucial to understand that having a talent does not necessarily translate into success or fulfillment. For example, gifted children may struggle with perfectionism, a sense of being misunderstood, or social isolation. As a result, it's critical to give kids an opportunity to develop their talents as well as emotional and social support.
References:
Berkowitz, M. W., & Hoppe, M. A. (2009). Character education and gifted children. High Ability Studies, 20(2), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/13598130903358493
Davis, G. A., & Rimm, S. (1977). Characteristics of Creatively Gifted Children. Gifted Child Quarterly, 21(4), 546–551. https://doi.org/10.1177/001698627702100413
Hildreth, G. (2012). Characteristics of Young Gifted Children. The Pedagogical Seminary and Journal of Genetic Psychology. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08856559.1938.10533813
Hoh, P.-S. (2008). Cognitive characteristics of the gifted. In Critical issues and practices in gifted education: What the research says (pp. 57–83). Prufrock Press Inc.