Characteristics of Gifted Children

A young child who has many of the following characteristics is likely to be gifted, but other children will show some of these characteristics, and a gifted child will not show all. Many of these characteristics also apply to older gifted children. Also, many children who are "gifted" may have other characteristics that may prevent or interfere with their being recognized as gifted (see characteristics of gifted children with learning differences or disabilities).

	Advanced Development: Developmentally, the young gifted child frequently reaches "milestones," such as walking and first speech, earlier than average. They tend to have a more sophisticated vocabulary than their peers, may love to define words, usually love books and may be self-taught readers before starting school.
	Early Intellectual Ability: Young gifted children often have a very good memory, and may be able and eager to learn simple math, science and social studies concepts. They may develop an all-consuming interest in one particular topic (e.g., dinosaurs) and have an awe-inspiring understanding and knowledge about the subject. Alternatively, they may seem interested in almost everything, sometimes moving rapidly from one topic to the other.
	Thirst for Knowledge: Many gifted children have a real thirst for knowledge, like the true scientist or philosopher who wants to "find out" about the world, just for the sake of it. Sometimes, there seems to be a strong drive to explore, learn about and master the environment. Often, contents of cupboards, containers, etc. need to be investigated, and toys and activities may be mastered at a rapid rate and discarded.
	Very High Level of Activity: The young gifted child can be extremely active and frequently have a reduced need for sleep.  Unlike hyperactivity (although still exhausting for parents), it is activity with a purpose and the child may show a remarkably long concentration span when particularly interested in something.   Caution: Due to their ability to see far more into what is for most a simple situation, and possibly due to their fear of failure, the young gifted child may hold back in a new situation, as if to check out all the implications. They may speak late, but then in complete sentences, possibly walk late, initially appear very shy in new social settings, and may require full details before offering help or answering questions.
	Sensitivity: Some young gifted children can be very sensitive. General anger or criticism is taken personally. They suffer along with the starving children on TV, the injured animal, etc., and when overloaded with impressions, they may become introverted and withdrawn.
	Uneven Development: Children may be gifted in a very narrow field or may have "all round" high ability. However, there is often a large discrepancy between their intellectual, physical and emotional development. Capable of abstract thought before being able to emotionally deal with these concepts, they may become over-concerned with death, the future, sex etc. Manual dexterity usually lags behind their intellectual expectations, resulting in frustration at the inability to complete envisaged tasks. Ten minutes after a near-adult conversation, they may come whining about some small hurt, needing to be comforted like the four-year-old they really are!
	Early Ability to Distinguish Between Reality and Fantasy: This may lead to discussions on, and the acceptance of, the inevitability of death; the frequent need to analyze stories to see which parts "really could happen" and “awkward” questions about Santa and the tooth-fairy!

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Source: Adapted from various sources by Rene Thomas Folse, J.D., Ph.D., The Child Psychologist.

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