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How to Recognize a 'Gifted' Child?
Spot the
'exceptional' brain in your midst.
The word 'gifted'
has been defined differently by various lexicon sources, but it is generally
associated with a child whose potential in one or more areas of skill,
would place him /her in the top two to five per cent of children in the
same age group. These skills can be traditionally academic, creative or
even interpersonal.
A United States
Office of Education definition describes these children as those "who have
outstanding abilities, are capable of high performance and who require
differentiated educational programs (beyond those normally provided by
regular school programs) in order to realize their contribution to self
and society."
How are gifted
children identified?
'Gifted' characteristics
can be observed either by a parent, a teacher or even a friend or anyone
close to a child. Exceptional skills or advanced vocabulary and learning
abilities cannot escape the ones close to a gifted child.
On further
testing, an IQ score of over 130 points can confirm the basic observations.
100 to 114
- upper normal
130 to 144
- gifted
145 to 159
- highly gifted
160 and above
- profoundly gifted
Most school
systems are thus able to classify 10 to 15% or more of its student population
as gifted or talented. But the cream will fall into the top 2 to 5%.
General intellectual
ability or talent
An amazing
general knowledge, high level of vocabulary, good memory and alertness,
knowledge of abstract words and exceptional reasoning are signs of a 'gifted'
child. Such a child will be extremely resourceful, energetic and persistent.
He or she is an avid reader with an interest in science and literature
and a very wide range of other pursuits.
Specific academic
aptitude or talent
These children
can be identified by their outstanding performance in either mathematics
or languages or arts. They are more focused than their colleagues. They
have a longer attention span, which is difficult to find in children of
their age.
Organizers
of various talent searches identify 'gifted' students as per their specific
academic aptitude and high scores in the achievement tests. These students
are also given the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
Creative thinking
and production
Creativity
is described as the core characteristic in a 'gifted' child. This helps
in generation of creative ideas-the ability to bring together seemingly
independent and dissimilar elements. The mind of a `gifted' child is very
clear and flexible and therefore can indulge in an intellectual play. Such
children can also submerge themselves in a particular task and provide
very radical solutions.
Leadership ability
Many teachers
identify this ability through a student's keen interest and skill in problem
solving. These children are generally very self-confident, responsible,
cooperative, adaptable and quite dominating. They are good at organizing
things and have the ability to stimulate and excite others. They are also
very articulate and can empathize with the rest of the group.
Visual and performing
arts
Special talents
in visual art, music, dance or drama show a pointer towards a 'gifted'
child. Such children are dominated by moods and whims. They have an ear
for music. They are emotional and therefore they often express themselves
creatively, either by singing or painting.
Psychomotor ability
These are kinesthetic
motor abilities like physical, mechanical, practical and spatial skills.
Gifted children
possess these psychomotor abilities and therefore they are very athletic,
coordinated, balanced and confident in physical activities. They are generally
quite well built and rhythmic, and very inventive in constructing or modifying
games.
Obviously they
are quite energetic and demonstrate great stamina, persistence and endurance.
Warning for parents
While the above-mentioned
sub-heads are characteristics of a `gifted' child, it is important to realize
that all 'gifted' children will not display all these qualities. They might
possess one or more of these qualities. However, it is for parents to recognize
the areas of expertise and utilize it to the optimum level. If these 'special'
areas remain unappreciated and underutilized, it might frustrate the child
in the later years.
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