Is My Child Gifted? What are the Signs?

All parents think their kids are pretty special. To you, they’re the most brilliant, artistic, talented children on the planet. But are they gifted? 

Though many parents use the term liberally, experts say that only about 5 out of every 100 kids can officially be called “gifted.”

So how do you know for sure whether your child is another Albert Einstein or Bill Gates? Although there isn’t one universally agreed upon definition of the term, here are a few general signs of giftedness:

1. Ability. Scoring high on tests is one of the most obvious hallmarks of intellectual ability. Some kids excel in a particular area, like math or reading. Others have a broader range of academic talents.

2. Curiosity. Gifted kids crave knowledge. They’re always asking questions, from the simple (“Why does my ice cream melt so quickly?”) to the abstract (“Where do we go when we die?”). When they get an answer, they ask even more questions. In their constant quest for information, gifted children often have their heads buried in books.

3. Talent. Multiplying three-digit numbers in their head, explaining in detail how the heart pumps blood, and playing a Chopin piano melody by heart are examples of the unique cognitive and artistic abilities gifted kids can possess.

4. Memory. Children who are gifted display an almost uncanny ability to remember things that happened months or even years ago. They can recall the minute details of what they read, learn in school, and see in television shows and movies.

5. Precociousness. Working two or more grade levels ahead in school are good indications that a child is gifted. Their intellectual precociousness is why some gifted kids prefer to hang out with older kids and adults than with children their own age.

6. Word power. You might hear a gifted six-year-old throw around words like “auspicious” or “exemplify,” and then use those words correctly in conversation.

7. Creativity. Having talent in music or art, or being able to put ideas together in new ways are both examples of creativity. Creative kids do things like take apart the toaster and figure out how to put it back together again, or build mansions out of popsicle sticks.

8. Leadership. Gifted kids take charge in school, at play, and at home. They have great confidence in themselves, and an innate ability to lead others in projects and tasks.

If your child meets some—or all—of the characteristics on this list, he or she might be gifted. To know for sure, ask your school principal or guidance counselor for a referral to a child psychologist for testing. Testing is a good way to make sure your child is being taught at the right level. If your child isn’t being challenged enough, ask your school or psychologist to recommend a gifted program in your area. Check out the resources listed below.

Don’t be upset if it turns out that your child isn’t gifted. Every child has his or her own unique talents. You just need to encourage and nurture whatever it is that makes your child special.

Resources for Gifted Kids:

Gifted and Talented Definitions, by State – http://www.ecs.org/clearinghouse/52/28/5228.htm

National Association for Gifted Children - http://www.nagc.org/

Webb, James T., Janet L. Gore, Edward R. Amend, Arlene R. DeVries. A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children. Scottsdale, Arizona: Great Potential Press, Inc., 2007.