Giftedness is a range of exceptional intellectual and mental abilities, and it is estimated that 3% of the population is gifted. When it comes to detecting the signs of giftedness in a child, knowing what to look for is key.
Being aware of the signs can help parents to nurture and encourage their child’s strengths, so that they can reach their full potential. With this in mind, below are some of the primary signs of giftedness in children.
Early Language Development
Gifted children typically develop language skills earlier than most other kids their age. Most are able to use single words before their first birthday, and are able to combine them into simple sentences between 18–24 months. By age 3, speech is usually well-developed, with gifted children displaying complex vocabulary and the ability to ask elaborate questions.
One of the most noticeable signs of giftedness is a remarkable memory. Gifted children tend to retain more information than their peers, and are able to recall facts, figures, and other details easily.
While they may often forget their homework and other items, gifted children tend to employ exceptional memory recall when it comes to topics of interest to them. It is also not unusual for gifted children to form complex sentences with sophisticated vocabularies quite early on. Their ability to download and understand information quickly can also lead to impressive amounts of knowledge, generating discussions and observations that go beyond those typically delivered by their peers.
Exceptional Reasoning Skills
Gifted children demonstrate a greater than average capacity to reason and think logically from a very young age. They tend to think abstractly and can comprehend concepts that are well beyond the scope of their years. Gifted children also have excellent problem-solving skills, often displaying the ability to recognize patterns, draw connections between different elements, and apply an orderly approach to thinking.
They may ask intriguing questions that are related to the topic being discussed and display philosophical approaches to topics well beyond their age.
High Understanding of Cause and Effect
Gifted children often demonstrate an impressive understanding of cause and effect, often drawing connections between different events and ideas. They are able to comprehend cause and effect in sophisticated ways and can investigate topics deeply and thoughtfully with ease.
Some gifted children also appear to be able to make inferences, often making accurate judgements with little evidence.
Development of Complex Thoughts
Gifted children usually develop complex thoughts faster than their peers. They display the capacity to think metaphorically, and may come up with creative ideas that are well beyond their years.
Additionally, their thoughts are often more abstract in nature, and they tend to draw on multiple references to express themselves.
Early Interest in Learning
Gifted children often show an eagerness to learn from a very early age. They become attached to their books and toys and may quickly develop a passion for learning new topics. They are generally self-lead in their learning process and have intense curiosity about the world and its practices.
Advanced Motor Skills
Gifted children tend to demonstrate advanced motor skills. They typically have better balance and coordination than most kids their age and are more confident in gross motor skills such as walking, running, and climbing. They may also show a preference for activities such as games that require manual coordination and precise movements.
High Sensitivity and Attention to Detail
Gifted children are usually more sensitive than other children and usually require more focused attention. They typically become overwhelmed more easily and may require extra nurturing and reassurance.
Additionally, they often pay greater attention to detail, focusing carefully on tasks and activities, and may engage deeply with subjects and/or topics they find interesting.
High Levels of Intuition
Gifted children often demonstrate deep intuition and possess a sixth sense when it comes to deciphering the world around them. They seem to have a keen understanding of situations and may often display remarkable understanding of the people around them. Additionally, gifted children often have a complex emotional understanding and may grow anxious or agitated when faced with complex emotions.
Desire for Challenging Activities
Gifted children often crave more challenging activities, seeking out experiences that will challenge them and help them to grow. They enjoy puzzles and games that require more advanced thinking and will often become bored with activities or tasks that are too easy.
Desire for Independence
Gifted children tend to possess advanced social competence and a desire for independence. They often prefer to take on tasks independently and may become frustrated with constant help and guidance. They have advanced emotional intelligence and often display a knack for critical thinking.
Development of Intense Interests
Gifted children will often develop highly focused interests from a young age, often becoming engrossed in the topic. These interests are often very intense and may continue for long periods of time.
Gifted children may also be able to recall facts and observations relating to their topic of interest with ease.
Creative Expression
Gifted children often demonstrate creative expression through art, music, or other forms of creative activities. While creative expression is not always a defining sign of giftedness, it is often one of the most prominent traits in gifted children. They enjoy exploring different forms of expression and may show signs of great talent and originality.
Conclusion
Giftedness is a complex topic, with many different signs and traits. Knowing what to look for is key, so that parents are able to nurture and encourage their child’s strengths.
The signs described above are some of the primary signs of giftedness in children, although each child is an individual and may or may not demonstrate these traits. By understanding these primary signs, parents can make sure that their gifted child is able to reach their full potential.