How Smart Is My Child?
Parents: If you think your child is smart, you are probably right because you have noticed his or her special abilities from a young age. But it’s not only parents that know whether a child is smart, children do too. They see their superior grades in school and ability to learn new information rapidly.
Beyond your child’s being smart, the next question is often: How gifted is the child? Giftedness is defined by the National Association of Gifted Children as “students with gifts and talents who perform—or have the capability to perform—at higher levels compared to others of the same age, experience and environment in one or more domains.”
There are different levels of giftedness ranging from moderately gifted to profoundly gifted. It is important to note that test scores are not the sole determinant of giftedness level. Factors of chance such as opportunity for instruction and intrapersonal qualities play a role:
- Early childhood intellectual milestones and behaviors
- General personality
- Degree of intrinsic motivation
- Inner drive for continued independent learning
Deborah Ruf, who has a doctorate in tests and measurement, is an acknowledged expert on levels of giftedness and has described giftedness as being divided into five levels. Below are the levels as well as brief descriptions of some attributes of each level:
Level One Gifted: Moderately Gifted
- IQ scores of about 117 to 129.
- Start kindergarten with end-of-year skills already mastered.
Level Two Gifted: Highly Gifted
- IQ scores of about 125 to 135.
- Master most kindergarten skills one to two years before kindergarten (by age 4).
Level Three Gifted: Highly to Exceptionally Gifted
- IQ scores of about 130 to 140.
- Master majority of kindergarten skills by age 3 or 4.
- Question Santa or Tooth Fairy by age 3 to 5.
- Most spontaneously read with or without previous instruction before kindergarten.
- Most read simple chapter books by age 5 to 6.
- Most intuitively use numbers for all operations before kindergarten.
Level Four Gifted: Exceptionally to Profoundly Gifted
- Full scale IQ scores of about 135 to 141+.
- Majority of kindergarten skills by age 3.
- Question such concepts as Santa or Tooth Fairy by age 3 to 4.
- Majority at 2nd to 3rd grade equivalency in academic subjects by early kindergarten.
- Majority at upper high school grade equivalencies by 4th to 5th grades.
- Show concern for existential topics and life’s purpose by early elementary school age.
Level Five Gifted: Exceptionally to Profoundly Gifted
- Full scale and domain scores at 145+ (slightly lower if tested after mid-teenage years).
- High intellectual profile across all ability domains, great inner drive to learn across. domains (although not necessarily demonstrated in the regular classroom).
- Majority have kindergarten skills by about 2-and-a-half years or sooner.
- Question concept of Santa or Tooth Fairy by age 2 to 3.
- Majority spontaneously read, understand fairly complex math, have existential concerns. by age 4 to 5 with or without any instruction.
- Majority have high school level grade equivalencies by age 7 or 8 years old, mostly through their own reading and question asking.
What You Need to Understand About Levels of Giftedness
Due to the limitations of current IQ tests, levels four and five appear identical, but they’re not. The difference between the two levels is in the degree of the behaviors, which Ruf spells out in her list of milestone attainments. Do visit her website FiveLevelsOfGifted.com/what-is-iftedness-2 to see a lengthy list of the behaviors that put children in the different levels.
How to Know Your Child’s IQ
IQ tests start being reliable for children between the ages of 6 and 9. Testing before a child is enrolled in school may not provide reliable results. Typically, schools give group IQ tests about three times during children’s schooling, which should give you a good picture of their IQ. Do remember that on any given day, a test result may not be accurate for such reasons as illness, lack of effort or unclear instructions.
Why Have Your Child Tested for Giftedness?
Before having your child tested for giftedness, consider what you hope to discover. Knowing a child’s level of giftedness can help parents and educators fully develop the child’s abilities. Private testing can be expensive. Most parents have their children tested to advocate for their inclusion in a gifted program at a school. Before you select a tester, make sure it is one whose results the school will accept.
Parents should send questions and comments to DearTeacher@DearTeacher.com and visit the DearTeacher.com website to learn more about helping their children succeed in school.
©Compass Syndicate Corporation, 2024