Is my child gifted?
This is perhaps the most crucial question all of us at one time or another asked ourselves, our families, and sometimes (if we are fortunate) our understanding friends. I would like to state first and foremost, that contrary to popular belief, over 80% of parents who thought that there children were gifted,
were!
All children are indeed special, unique and gifted in many different ways. For example: some children can make a room of people come to life, some have artistic and creative talents, or strong empathetic abilities. But not all children are 'intellectually' or cognitively 'gifted'. And it is this particular ability -- that potential for higher intellectual functioning which is what we are considering in this instance when we say 'gifted'. Below, please find some very useful links to assist you in answering, with more confidence, the question, 'Is my child gifted?'
Early Signs of Giftedness
A very brief checklist, listing several characteristics common to gifted children. Includes a parental quiz to see whether your child has some of these characteristics.
Recognizing Giftedness in Young Children
As always, the Gifted Development Center provides insightful and thoughtful information for us parents. This is a great article which compares parents' reports of both gifted and average children.
OG: Gifted Characteristics List
These are two lists compiled by our members of traits that our children have -- both the 'gifted' ones and the not-so-gifted ones!
Characteristics Check List
A comprehensive website listing characteristics of the gifted child. Incudes gifts such as intellectual ability, academic aptitude, creative thinking, leadership, psychomotor ability and talents in the visual and performing arts. Great for a quick summary.
Assessing Giftedness in Preschool Children
This is a lengthy, but very well written and informative article regarding assessing very young gifted children.
http://www.ontariogifted.org/faq.htm#isgifted