Home › Flagler Gifted Support Network ›
 
FGSN Flagler Gifted Support Network

  
 
 
Characteristics of Gifted Children

 


The following characteristics often describe
 students who are gifted:


 

  •     Are curious and/or persistent
  •     Have an unusually large vocabulary
  •     Have long-term recall of information
  •     Display intense concentration
  •     Sometimes learn to read on their own
  •     Have a keen sense of humor
  •     Like to collect things
  •     Are independent
  •     Are creative and imaginative
  •     Tend to be perfectionist
  •     May be bigger and stronger than average children
  •     Sustain interest in one or more fields of knowledge over the years
  •     Initiate their learning activities
  •     Tend to dominate peers or situations
  •     Easily master intellectual skills
  •     Enjoy complicated games and puzzles
  •     Are interested in and concerned about community and world problems
  •     Are often self-critical
  •     Set high goals and ideals
  •     Are leaders
  •     Continually question the status quo
  •     Apply learning from one situation to another
  •     Solve problems in a clever, novel manner
  •     May have different behavior style
  •     Enjoy reading about a wide range of topics
 

 

 

The following needs are based on research conducted by Dr. Joyce Van Tassel-Bask, teachers and parents of gifted children.


Gifted children have special needs:

To be challenged by learning situations of cognitively complex, more abstract levels of thought.

To be Challenged with divergent thought, such as the thought involved in problem solving and decision-making.

To be challenged through cooperative and individual tasks which require sustained concentration on systemic inquiry and the integration of information and ideas.

To be challenged by thoughtful and focused discussions among intellectual peers and adults.

To be challenged in areas of strength and interest which accelerate the pace and the depth of content. 

To develop skills in critical thinking, research, creative thinking, problem-solving, coping with exceptionality, and leadership, while applying knowledge and abilities to real problems.