HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS GIFTED?
_________________________________________

Here's a checklist of typical behavioral traits of gifted children.

• Walked and talked at an early age
• Has an advanced vocabulary
• Read at an early age
• Demonstrates a great appetite for books and reading
• Entertains self for large blocks of time
• Has good recall
• Consistently organizes, sorts, classifies and groups things, and names them
• Heightened curiosity (Asks ‘why’ often)
• Fantasizes often
• Shows sensitivity to other people’s feelings and empathy in response to their troubles
• Demonstrates leadership abilities
• Exhibits perfectionism
• Resists change
• Likes to discuss abstract concepts (such as love, justice, etc.)
• Has a high energy, needing less sleep than age-mates
• Learns new material rapidly
• Often prefers to work or play alone
• Loves puzzles, mazes, building blocks, and toys that challenge
• Has an advanced sense of humor
• Prefers the company of older children or adults
• Is highly creative, imaginative
• Is a keen observer
• Expresses unusual sensitivity to what they see, hear, touch, smell or feel
• Expresses concern for the world’s problems

Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented
406 East 11th Street, Ste 310
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 499-8248