Most, but not all, of the following questions apply equally well to children of various ages. No one child will exhibit all of these. They are intended to serve as a checklist of the abilities revealed by many gifted children.
- Did your child walk and talk earlier than most other children of his age and gender?
- Did she show a comparatively early interest in words?
- Does he have an exceptionally large vocabulary for his age?
- Did she show an early interest in clocks, calendars, jigsaw puzzles?
- Did he show an early interest in numbers?
- Did she show an early interest in reading?
- Does he express curiosity about many things?
- Does she have more stamina and strength than other children of her age and gender?
- Does he tend to associate with children older than himself?
- Does she act as a leader among children of her own age?
- Does he have a good memory?
- Does she show unusual reasoning power?
- Does he have an unusual capacity for planning and organizing?
- Does she relate information gained in the past to new knowledge she acquires?
- Does he show more interest in creative effort and new activities than in routine and repetitive tasks?
- Does she try to excel in almost everything she does?
- Does he concentrate on a single activity for a prolonged period of time without getting bored?
- Does she usually have a number of interests that keep her busy?
- Does he persist in his efforts in the face of unexpected difficulties?
- Does she figure out her own solutions to problems and show uncommon “common sense”?
- Does he have a sense of humor that is advanced for his age?
- Does she show sensitivity to the feelings of others?
- Does he show a comparatively early interest in questions of right and wrong, religion, God, and/or justice?
- Does she make collections that are more advanced or unusual than those of others in her age group?
- Does he show an intense interest in some artistic activity, such as drawing, singing, dancing, writing, or playing a musical instrument?
- Does she make up stories that are vivid and dramatic, or relate her experiences with a great deal of exact detail?
- Does he like puzzles and various kinds of “problem” games?
- Does she have exceptional abilities in mathematics?
- Does he show an unusual interest in science or mathematics?
- Does she show awareness of things that are new or novel?
Additional resources can be found on NAGC’s website, Is My Child Gifted?
You are not alone in this journey of parenting bright children. Find your people in this monthly discussion group where we talk about raising gifted, creative and talented children. The group focuses on listening, generating ideas, resource sharing, and is for anyone who is a caregiver of elementary and teenage gifted, creative and talented kids.
Lean on Me meets from 7:30-8:30pm the fourth Tuesday of the month, MCGT membership is not required, all are welcome.
Find all the details and the Zoom link on our Monthly Discussion Group page.
The Minnesota Council for the Gifted & Talented (MCGT) supports families of gifted & talented students and promotes their educational and social emotional needs in Minnesota by providing an annual conference, mini-conferences, national speakers, legislative advocacy, scholarships, opportunities to connect with other gifted families through chapters and parent groups, and more.
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