Characteristics of Advanced Learners

• Displays unusual alertness, even in infancy

• Puts thoughts together quickly; rapid learner

• May not necessarily know all the answers, but often asks many questions

• Has an excellent memory

• Has an unusually large vocabulary and complex sentence structure for age

• Has advanced comprehension of word nuances, metaphors and abstract ideas

• Enjoys solving problems, especially with numbers and puzzles

• May have self-taught reading and writing skills as preschooler

• Shows deep, intense feelings and reactions

• Is highly sensitive

• Thinks in abstract, complex, logical, and insightful

• Has an idealistic sense of justice at early age

• May be concerned with social and political issues and injustices

• May prefer older students and adults to same-age peer group

• Has a long attention span and intense concentration

• May be preoccupied with own thoughts—daydreamer

• Learns basic skills quickly and with little practice; may need only 1-2 repetitions for mastery in area of strength

• Asks probing questions

• Has a wide range of interests (or extreme focus in one area)

• Is highly curious

• May enjoy straight-forward, sequential presentations, but thrives on complexity

• Has Interest in experimenting and doing things differently

• Puts idea or things together that are not typical

• Has a keen and/or unusual sense of humor

• Organizes people/things through games or complex schemas

• Has a vivid imagination (and imaginary playmates when in preschool)