Almost every parent believes their children are gifted. In some ways, they’re correct. It appears miraculous to watch a child develop from an infant to a human who can read, solve arithmetic problems, and form friendships. It’s no surprise that many parents feel this way.
Most people interchange adjectives like bright, gifted, special, extraordinary, and talented, but when a psychologist employs the term “gifted”, we’re usually talking about something statistically pretty rare.
Signs your child may be gifted
According to research only 3 to 5 percent of children are really gifted, although some estimates reach 20 percent. How can you tell if your child is one of them? Here are some of the early signs of a gifted pre-schooler, from the American Association of Gifted Children at Duke University:
- Learns quickly and remembers easily
- Seems mature for his or her age
- Has a large vocabulary, unusual interest in words, or already reads independently
- Experiments to solve problems
- Prefers older playmates
- Seems sensitive
- Displays the ability to think abstractly and metaphorically
- Exhibits intellectual curiosity
- Shows compassion for people or animals
- Enjoys puzzles, mazes, and numbers
- Questions authority
- Seems to get bored easily
What to do if you think your child is gifted
If your child exhibits multiple of these traits, consider getting him or her evaluated by a child development expert. You can also assist your child to develop their inherent abilities by reading to them and introducing them to hobbies like painting, music, nature, and sports.
