How to tell if your school-age child is gifted (461 hits)
Highlights
Signs of giftedness in a 5- to 8-year-old
Testing the school-age child for giftedness
When giftedness is hard to diagnose
Is your child bored in school because the work is too easy? Is she reading well beyond the level of other kids her age? Now is the time to find out if your child is academically gifted. Though some children exhibit signs of exceptional intellectual ability at a young age, most aren't diagnosed until they begin school. How can you tell?
Signs of giftedness in a 5- to 8-year-old Your child may be gifted if she:
• Thinks abstractly; that is, she grasps advanced mathematical and linguistic concepts and can talk about such complex issues as ethics, morality, and religion.
• Has a specific talent, such as the ability to perform mathematical calculations in her head, or understand concepts like multiplication before they are taught in school.
• Is able to intensely concentrate and focus on one activity for long periods.
• Has a large vocabulary and understands words not typically used by peers.
• Is a leader; that is, often organizes group activities, such as initiating games when she's with other children.
• Is confident in her accomplishments and ideas.
• Performs well in academic areas.
• Is creative; that is, she loves to tell stories, draw, or compose songs.
• Has a sense of humor and appreciates wit.
• Prefers to spend time with older children and adults.
• Performs academic work that is two years ahead of her grade level.
• Is sensitive to other people's feelings.
• Memorizes facts easily and can recall them and relate them at appropriate times.
Testing the school-age child for giftedness If your child is enjoying school and you feel she is being appropriately...
