7. Gifted children often exhibit an advanced sense of humor. I’ve witnessed this in my classroom. At times, some of my jokes will go right over my third graders’ heads. However, there will be one or two children cracking up. These are often the gifted children. Gifted children may also be highly sensitive with intense feelings. 8. Gifted students frequently prefer to work alone, rather than in groups. This may be due to their unique methods of approaching their work or a feeling of social awkwardness. 9. All children seem to ask a lot of questions. However, the gifted child will ask even more! The questions may be very deep and detailed as these children try to satisfy their thirst for knowledge and understanding. At times, this can be challenging for parents and teachers. It’s important to be patient with these children, as we don’t want to squelch their curiosity. 10. A parent or teacher may notice that a gifted child learns more quickly. It is estimated that most children need 8–15 repetitions in order to learn something new. Gifted children frequently need only one or two. TESTING FOR GIFTEDNESS AND HOW TO PROCEED If you suspect that you may be parenting a gifted child, you may have your child tested by a psychologist. However, many schools offer the same tests at no charge to families. If you learn that your child is gifted, it is important to realize that you are parenting a child with special needs. It does require more from you. You will want to encourage your child’s curiosity and will need to provide a plethora of stimuli for your gifted child. You will also want to consider the educational possibilities. You may decide that your child can best be served at a school for gifted children. If this is not an option, you will need to check what services are provided for
gifted children at your child’s school. If it’s not enough, you may wish to consider hiring a private tutor or providing enrichment activities after school. I also encourage you to visit with your child’s teacher. Inquire as to how your child’s special needs will be met in the classroom. There is such a focus on the students falling behind that some teachers are less aware that gifted children need special attention too. When No Child Left Behind was implemented, I frequently stated that it was my own gifted children being left behind. Work with your child’s teacher to help him or her provide the environment and challenges that your gifted, creative, or talented child needs. WHY SHOULD I HAVE MY CHILD TESTED? According to the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), public school districts often use “subject-specific, standardized achievement or group ability tests to identify students that qualify for gifted programming.” You may decide to have your child independently tested as well. Ask yourself the following questions before deciding to have your child tested: » Are there indicators—such as academic performance, social-emotional characteristics, or certain behaviors—that make me suspect my child is gifted? » Is my child not thriving or unhappy in his current learning environment? » Is my child applying to a gifted and talented enrichment program, camp, online course, or independent gifted school where test results are required for admission? » Does my child demonstrate giftedness, but it’s not recognized because I suspect other factors (such as a learning disability, ADHD, or anxiety, for example) may be getting in the way? » If the answer is “yes,” to any of the above questions, you might want to pursue having your child tested privately. Source: nagc.org
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