A definition of
giftedness is the foundation
upon which an educational program
for gifted children is built.
The variety of definitions of
giftedness offered by experts
in the field and by laymen suggests
that no one set of criteria exclusively
defines giftedness. However,
there does exist a common set
of characteristics manifested
by giftedness on which experts
in gifted education do agree.
Few gifted children will display
all of the characteristics
in a given list; however, when
clusters of these characteristics
are present, they do serve
as fairly reliable indicators
of giftedness. Presence of
these characteristics suggest
that a child might warrant
closer observation and could
require specialized educational
attention.
General
Behavioral Characteristics
of Gifted Children
Many typically learn to read
earlier and with a better comprehension
of the nuances of language. As
many as half of the identified
gifted and talented population
have learned to read before
entering school. They often
read widely, quickly, intensely,
and have large vocabularies.
- They commonly learn basic
skills better, more quickly
and with less practice than
their peers.They are better
able to construct and handle
abstractions than their age
mates.They are frequently
able to pick up and interpret
nonverbal cues and can draw
inferences which other children
need to have spelled out
for them.They take less for
granted, seeking the "hows" and "whys."They
can sustain longer periods
of concentration and attention.They
display a better ability
to work independently at
an earlier age and for longer
periods of time than other
children.Their interests
are often both widely eclectic
and intensely focused.They
are usually able to respond
and relate well to parents,
teachers and other adults.
They may prefer the company
of older children and adults
to that of their peers.They
are willing to examine the
unusual and are highly inquisitive.Their
behavior is often well organized,
goal directed and efficient
with respect to tasks and
problems.They may be very
independent and are often
very persistent. "I'd rather
do it myself" is a common
attitude.
- They enjoy learning new
things and new ways of doing
things.
Learning Characteristics of
Gifted ChildrenThey may show
keen powers of observation,
exhibit a sense of the significant
and have an eye for important
details.
- They have well developed
powers of abstraction, conceptualization
and synthesizing abilities.They
generally have rapid insight
into cause and effect relationships.They
often display a questioning
attitude and seek information
for the sake of having it
as much as for its instrumental
value.They are often skeptical,
critical and evaluative.
They are quick to spot inconsistencies.They
often have a large storehouse
of information relating to
a variety of topics which
they can recall quickly.They
show a ready grasp of underlying
principles and can often
make valid generalizations
about events, people or objects.They
readily perceive similarities,
differences and anomalies.
- They often attack complicated
material by separating it
into its components and analyzing
it systematically.
Creative
Characteristics of Gifted Children
They are fluent thinkers,
able to produce a large quantity
of possibilities, consequences
or related ideas.
- They are flexible thinkers,
able to use many different
alternatives and approaches
to problem solving.They are
original thinkers, seeking
new, unusual or unconventional
associations and combinations
among items of information.
They also have an ability
to see relationships among
seemingly unrelated objects,
ideas or facts.They are elaborative
thinkers, producing new steps,
ideas, responses or other
embellishments to a basic
idea, situation or problem.They
show a willingness to entertain
complexity and seem to thrive
in problem situations. They
are good guessers and can
construct hypotheses or "what
if " questions readily.They
often are aware of their
own impulsiveness and the
irrationality within themselves
and show emotional sensitivity.They
have a high level of curiosity
about objects, ideas, situations
or events.They often display
intellectual playfulness,
they fantasize and imagine
readily.They can be less
intellectually inhibited
than their peers in expressing
opinions and ideas and often
engage in spirited disagreement.
- They have a sensitivity
to beauty and are attracted
to aesthetic dimensions.
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