Some Characteristics of Gifted Children
This list is not inclusive. No one person will have all of these traits, but gifted people have many of these characteristics in common. If a large number of the traits listed are true to a great extent, a child may possibly need a program that offers challenge and enrichment. Whenever a parent or staff member refers a child for the gifted program, we will conduct further assessment to determine the most appropriate placement options.
When compared to their age peers, gifted people often:
- Read well at an early age, or are avid readers
- Have a wide range of interests; are very curious
- Are unusually sensitive
- Love puzzles, paradoxes, solving problems
- Have a terrific sense of humor
- Are intense
- Learn rapidly
- Have a sophisticated vocabulary/ express themselves well
- Are quite independent in thought and action
- Have an extremely good memory
- Are unusually persistent/ stubborn
- Are perfectionistic
- Have an exceptional ability with numbers
- Have a keen sense of fairness and justice
- Are compassionate
- Make intuitive leaps of reasoning; are insightful
- Prefer older companions or adults
- Possess gifts in areas other than school- music, athletics, dance, dramatics…
- Want to know what makes things/ people "tick"
- Seem to "see more" or "get more" out of a story, film, etc., than peers do
- Are passionate, leading them to become truly involved in interests/ concerns
- Prefer novelty, and are easily bored with routine tasks
- Seem highly moral, mature, responsible or self-disciplined
- Have vivid imaginations
- Feel overwhelmed
- Are very observant/aware
- Love lively discussions
- Have clear strengths and areas of weakness
- Are flexible/adaptable
- Thrive on challenge
- Are complex
- Are risk-takers, leaders, nonconformists, individualistic
- Are a delight