Children are gifted when their ability is significantly above the norm for their age (asynchronous development). They represent about ten percent of the student population. Giftedness is asynchronous development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensities combine to create inner experiences and awarenesses that are qualitatively different from the norm. This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity.
Because gifted children are so diverse, not all individuals exhibit every characteristic consistently across time.
Common Characteristics of Gifted Individuals
Unusual alertness, even in infancy
Rapid learner; puts thoughts together quickly
Excellent memory
Unusually large vocabulary and complex sentence structure for age
Advanced comprehension of work nuances, metaphors, and abstract ideas
Enjoys solving problems, especially with numbers and puzzles
Often self-taught reading and writing skills as a preschooler
Deep, intense feelings and reactions/highly sensitive
Thinking is abstract, complex, logical, and insightful
Concern with social and political issues and injustices
Longer attention span and intense concentration
Preoccupied with own thoughts (daydreamer)
Learn basic skills quickly and with little practice
Asks probing questions
Wide range of interests (or extreme focus in one area)
Highly developed curiosity
Interest in experimenting and doing things differently
Puts idea or things together that are not typical
Keen and/or unusual sense of humor
Desire to organize people/things through games or complex schemas
Vivid imaginations (and imaginary playmates when in preschool)
Though they are commonly confused, a gifted learner is not the same as a high-achieving or bright student. As shown in the table below, the way a gifted student thinks is different from the habits of a bright learner.
Bright or High-achieving Child
Knows the answer
Is interested
Is attentive
Has good ideas
Works hard
Answers the questions
Top of the group
6-8 repetitions for mastery
Understands
Enjoys peers
Grasps meaning
Completes projects
Enjoys school
Enjoys straightforward, sequential presentations
Is alert
Gifted Child
Asks the questions
Is highly curious
Is mentally and physically involved
Has wild, silly, and imaginative ideas
Plays around, yet tests well
Discusses in detail, elaborates
Beyond the group
1-2 repetitions for mastery
Constructs abstract ideas
Prefers adults
Draws inferences
Initiates projects
Enjoys learning
Thrives on complexity
Is keenly observant