The gifted student is one who has superior intellectual development and is capable of high performance. These students require educational programs and experiences different from and/or in addition to those provided by the regular school program.
What does it mean to be “gifted”?
Gifted children tend to have many of the characteristics below.
The gifted child often…
- Reads well and widely
- Early or avid reader (if too young to read, loves being read to)
- Reasons well (good thinker)
- Learns rapidly
- Has an unusually large vocabulary
- Has an excellent memory for things heard or read
- Has a long attention span (if interested)
- Sensitive (feelings hurt easily)
- Shows compassion
- Morally sensitive (concerned with justice, fairness)
- Has strong curiosity and asks tough questions
- Tends to question authority
- Perfectionistic
- Has facility with numbers
- Intense
- Perseverant in areas of interest
- Has high degree of energy
- Judgment mature for age at times
- Prefers older companions or adults
- Likes to collect things
- Has a wide range of interests (multipotentiality)
- Is widely informed about many topics
- Has a keen sense of humor
- Is a keen observer
- Has a vivid imagination
- Is highly creative
- Produces original or unusual products or ideas
- Enjoys complicated games and puzzles