Characteristics of a Gifted Child

Blog written and researched by Fouzia Fayaz:

A gifted child exhibits remarkable ability or promises in one or more fields, such as the arts, leadership, creativity, or academics. Gifted children 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 considers 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.

Gifted children may have particular educational, social, and emotional requirements, and specific resources and programs are available to help them. These programs may offer opportunities for the acceleration, enrichment, and content that has been mainly created.

Although gifted children can exhibit a wide range of traits, some typical ones are as follows:

1. High cognitive skills: Gifted children frequently have a vast vocabulary, good recall, and an advanced capacity for abstract thought. They could also be exceptionally gifted in math, science, or language subjects.
2. Curiosity: Gifted Children often have a high sense of curiosity and enjoy learning new things. They might have many questions, have a broad range of interests, and be self-driven learners.
3. Creativity: Gifted Children may possess a high level of creativity, which can be seen in their writing, artwork, or problem-solving abilities.
4. Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving abilities: Gifted children may be able to think in a complex and abstract way and possess these abilities.
5. Early development: Gifted Children may acquire knowledge or skills earlier than their peers, such as reading or writing.
6. 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.
7. Intensity and perfectionism: Gifted children may greatly desire to succeed and devote a lot of themselves to their hobbies or passions. They could also have a high standard for perfection and be quite hard on themselves if they fail.
8. High vigor: Gifted children may be enthusiastic, lively, and inquisitive. They could also struggle to sit still or concentrate in a traditional classroom context.
9. Strong imagination and mature sense of humor: Talented children may have an advanced sense of humor, seen in their play and writing.
10. High sense of empathy and compassion: Gifted Children may possess a great sense of empathy and a strong compassion for others.
11. Leadership qualities: Gifted children may be naturally capable of taking charge in a group environment.

It’s important to remember 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 remember that a gifted child’s traits can change based on their area of giftedness. Musically gifted children, for instance, could exhibit distinct traits from those mathematically gifted.

Also, it’s crucial to understand that having 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 and 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 I