Characteristics of the Gifted Child

-Early learners with high energy                            -Fast mental processing

-Emotionally and morally intense                           -Asks complex questions

-Understand and make abstractions easily              -May ignore details

-Can conceptualize and synthesize                        -Impatient, perfectionist

-Creative, inventive and original                            -Keen and alert observer

-Concerned about fairness and justice                   -Long attention spans

-May be self-critical and skeptical                          -Asynchronous development

-Evaluates facts, arguments and people critically

-May not share interests with their classmates

 -For gifted children with disabilities see About.com: Gifted Children

For more information on the social and emotional needs of gifted children please visit our links page.

There you will also find links to information on clustering, acceleration and working with your child’s school can also be found there.  

What can parents do?

Parents need to list the things we want to see in class i.e. clustering, social/emotional work, ability to work ahead, special projects, access to field trips (e.g. Odyssey of the Mind), computer access, etc.

There is a need to be persistent and determined.

Check out our links for information on the best way to approach the school and how to set up  an education team for the gifted child’s education with a calm, non-confrontational attitude. For tips on how to do this, download Talking to your child’s school.

Connect with other parents of gifted children – GET INVOLVED! Join a group, talk to others, email people, ask questions, dig for answers!

Connect your gifted child with his/her intellectual peers. Suggestions include music classes, chess club, astronomy club, science clubs, computer groups, martial arts, the Science Centre etc.