Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone can list some qualifications/criteria that may indicate a child is "gifted". My mother always said, "Everyone thinks their crow is the blackest," so how do I know whether I am just doting on a bright child or if my child really "gifted"? I don't want to put pressure on her to perform at an unattainable level just because I think she is the best kid in the world

Thanks!
pumi

NeedKarma

http://www.brainy-child.com/article/gifted-child.html

http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/p...ex#pgiftedBkmk

http://www.nagc.org/index.aspx?id=957

dmatos

In Ontario, at least, you can talk to your child's teachers, and with them, recommend that they be tested to see if they are gifted. Having that label attached to them actually will help, as each new teacher will be informed of the fact, and even if you don't opt to place them in more challenging classes, the teacher will know to work them harder, and keep them from becoming bored. They should be able to do this without ostracizing your child from her classmates, too.

pumibel

Yes- her school is currently working on an identification program. I talked to a contact for Gifted Education Services and her teacher. Her teacher agrees that she is "highly able", I think was the phrase. They picked her for art club to encourage her artistic talent, but they have not yet started acedemic groups for the 1-5 grades. She is a full grade ahead on her reading level, and she has advanced communication skills. I think she talked before she crawled. They sent home a pamphlet for the Johns Hopkins giften student program, which is not associated with her school and not really close to home, but I am not sure about it- which is why i have been asking the questions. It requires commitment, so I want to make an informed decision. It could really stress her out if it is not right for her.

LUNAGODDESS

Let see... if you believe you have a gifted child...great...what I am reading in the replies that your statement has started a real controversy regarding nature versus nurture...this argument will continue until whatever ...so...should a parent push a child to achieve or should they just let it flow... I say do what is best for the child...Let's consider this situation...let’s look at the characteristic of your creative child(on the belief that the child is gifted)
Rationally thinking creative individuals [Is your child reasonable in their thinking]
• Self disciple, independent, often anti-authoritarian[ follows your direction without issues; does not want to be controlled]
• Zany sense of humor[your child is funny, whacky]
• Able to resist group pressure, a strategy developed early[will not follow the crowd]
• Greater tolerance for ambiguity and discomfort
• Little tolerance for boredom

Feeling creative individuals
• Un-frightened by the unknown the mysterious, the puzzling often attracted to it
• More self accepting less afraid of what others would say; less need for the other people; lack of fear of over emotions impulses, and thoughts
• Have more of themselves available for use for enjoyment, for creative purposes, waste less of their time and energy protecting themselves against themselves
• Capacity to be puzzled
• Ability to accept conflict and tension from polarity rather that avoiding them
• Physical/Sensing Creative individuals
• An ability to toy with elements and concepts
• Perceiving freshly
• Ability to defer closure and judgment
• Ability to accept conflict and tension skilled performance of the traditional arts

Intuitive creative individuals
• Are able to withstand being thought of a uncharacteristic or unconventional
• Are more sensitive
• Have a richer fantasy life and greater involvement in day dreaming
• When confronted with novelty of design, music or ideas, get excited and involved (less creative people get suspicious and hostile)

Let me explain what I mean about nature versus nurture controversy ...much of person’s ability is related to socio-cultural influences which are nurture as opposed to genetic factors [the parents blood line has proven strong in the academic/physical field] which is nature...

There are books available to address your search...many are used by educators
The source of this information is from “Excellence with Equity in Identification and Programming” by S. Richert. In the Handbook of Gifted Education, 2/E edited by N. Colangelo and G. Davis, 1997, page 79 and Growing up Gifted by Clark Brown

So go to a professional educator within your school system and have your child tested...there are tested with in federal funded school called Child Find...check with your providence or city ...walk in and say I believe I have a gifted child with special needs can you help find this out...and be supportive of the conclusion...isn't this fun...do not wait until your child get older find out now...

posheak

Everyone is gifted in his/her own unique ways. Its just that in life we get to meet people who are greater and lesser than we are. When we compare ourselves with the "lesser than us", we feel gifted. This is not the right attitude, the word here is not gifted but luckier. When we meet people who are far greater than we are, then we occupy the sit of that same "lesser than us person".

GIFTED, this word is for everybody and owned by everybody so there is no need comparing or measuring how much you are above or below other individuals. We just have to be especially THANKFUL.

good day

pumibel

I just want to thank everyone for their input here. My decision for now is to encourage Aud to do her best academically, and nurture her artistic abilities. She was chosen to join the art club and will have further stimulation with that. I figured out that it is probably too early right now for her to start accelerated programs. She doesn't even get letter grades yet. She loves science, so I am planning to get her involved with Girl Scouts too. This was the suggestion by her teacher.

Thank you all!

Mylittlesunshyne

Be more specific, Are you talking about Musical prodigies? mathmatical prodigies??