As parents, we have a great responsibility to support our children in every way possible, especially academically. We read to our children from an early age, engage in conversation to build vocabulary, we encourage them to be confident learners, motivated to do their best—and we take responsibility for their learning. Plus, we work closely with our children’s teachers to ensure we stay informed concerning their educational needs.
As children grow and learn, parents want to make sure their youngsters receive every advantage available to them. This includes opportunities that may identify a child as a gifted learner.
First of all, what does “gifted” really mean? The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) characterizes a gifted child as one whose ability is significantly above the norm for his age. NAGC also conveys that individuals may be gifted in different domains, such as intellectual, creative, leadership or in particular academic areas.
So, what should you be looking for to determine whether your child excels academically? One thing parents must acknowledge is that there is a marked difference between being a high achiever and being a gifted learner. High achievers in general do well in school, are attentive, need several repetitions to master a task, get As and perform at the top of the class. In gifted learners, the following characteristics are evident:
- Deeply curious
- Excellent memory
- Questions often
- Enjoys solving problems
- Self-taught
- Learns basic skills quickly and with little help
- Abstract thinker
- Longer attention span
- Wide range of interests
- Highly sensitive to the needs of others
- Interested in doing things differently
These are just a few of the many attributes seen in gifted children. Not all gifted learners demonstrate all of these characteristics all of the time. A complete list and many other resources can be found on the NAGC website.
Each school district has its own set of screenings and evaluations used to determine whether a child is a gifted learner so the school may better serve each individual student to meet her educational potential. Many districts screen at predetermined grade levels, administer one or more assessments specifically designed to identify the gifted learner, give an IQ test, request teacher documentation to show evidence of exceptional performance and align their requirements to comply with state mandated guidelines.
If you believe your child displays characteristics of a gifted learner, begin the process by talking to your child’s teacher. In addition to what you already see in your own child, the teacher will be able to give you some insight into what your child exhibits on a daily basis in the classroom setting and can point you in the right direction if you would like more information concerning the process of identifying a gifted learner in your particular school district.
Angela Rosheim is a library media specialist in the Liberty Public School District and the mother of three.