Common Characteristics of Gifted Individuals
 

K-8th grade students may now be referred by any staff member, parent, or community member to be tested for the gifted and talented program.  The referral time period is from January 17th- January 24th.  Take a look at the list of common characteristics of GT students to see if this sounds like your child.  Please see the elementary front office if you need a copy of the referral form.  All K-8th grade students have been sent home with a copy as well.

Because gifted children are so diverse, not all exhibit all characteristics all of the time. However, there are common characteristics that many gifted individuals share:

• Unusual alertness, even in infancy

• Rapid learner; puts thoughts together quickly

• Excellent memory

• Unusually large vocabulary and complex sentence structure for age

• Advanced comprehension of word nuances, metaphors and abstract ideas

• Enjoys solving problems, especially with numbers and puzzles

• Often self-taught reading and writing skills as preschooler

• Deep, intense feelings and reactions

• Highly sensitive

• Thinking is abstract, complex, logical, and insightful

• Idealism and sense of justice at early age

• Concern with social and political issues and injustices

• Longer attention span and intense concentration

• Preoccupied with own thoughts—daydreamer

• Learn basic skills quickly and with little practice

• Asks probing questions

• Wide range of interests (or extreme focus in one area)

• Highly developed curiosity

• Interest in experimenting and doing things differently

• Puts idea or things together that are not typical

• Keen and/or unusual sense of humor

• Desire to organize people/things through games or complex schemas

• Vivid imaginations (and imaginary playmates when in preschool)