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Is My Child Gifted?2/12/2006
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It is a misconception that all gifted children make high grades and enjoy school. Some do, some don't. Children can be highly intelligent and still not succeed in school. Historically, many highly gifted individuals had very difficult experiences in formal education. In fact, Thomas Edison's mother homeschooled him for most of his education because of his school experience.
So if grades are not the only indication, how can you tell that your child is gifted?
Parents of Gifted Homeschool Children
Homeschooling parents of gifted children usually fall into one of two categories. They are either:
- Hesitant to assume their child is gifted, or
- Too anxious to be convinced that he is.
We do not have a school system to tell us how our child compares to other children or to inform us that he has scored higher than most other kids in his class on a standardized test. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Do we really want to have all of these comparisons among children?
Oddly enough, parents’ assumptions are usually correct concerning their child’s ability and giftedness. If you think your child is gifted, there is a good chance that you are right.
Why is it important to know if my child is gifted?
Is it good to compare our children to others? Why should we give one child a label and not others?
The reason gifted children are identified in public schools is ostensibly so the school can meet their needs and ensure that students are challenged. Even so, most schools fail to challenge gifted students. As a homeschooling parent, however, you are at an advantage because you can individualize instruction for your child, challenge him to meet his potential, provide enrichment in the areas of strength, and encouragement in areas of weakness.
One reason it is important to know whether or not your child is gifted is because it will help you better understand her. Gifted children have characteristics that are both positive and negative. For example, they may learn easily and rapidly, but also insist on doing things their own way. Gifted children can be learning disabled in one area (ie: math) and gifted in another (ie: reading / writing). Gifted children can have ADHD and can also be underachievers. When you are able to understand these characteristics you will be better able to understand your child and the needs that she has.
Gifted children have a need to be challenged and engaged. If you force a gifted child to work in a curriculum that leaves little time for reflection, discussion, and/or creativity, this can make homeschooling a troubling experience for both you and your child. Gifted children have a need to think at higher levels, have open-ended discussions, and accelerate through curriculum at a rigorous pace. They may also have intense interests and may need the freedom to explore and investigate these areas of interest.
One of the great advantages to homeschooling is that you can be more flexible with your child. If you are working in a curriculum that is too easy for your child she may become bored and then “turn off” to her assignments because they are not intellectually engaging. Furthermore, many gifted kids are creative children. They need opportunities to express their creativity through art, creative writing, story telling, invention, etc. . .
So, you are still wondering if your child is gifted? Unfortunately there is no magic formula or “gifted test” you can give your child, but a good place to start is by looking at definitions of giftedness.
Definitions of Giftedness
I.Q.
Traditionally schools looked to IQ scores to determine giftedness. This seems an objective and easy way to identify giftedness. Students who scored at 130 or higher on an IQ test were considered gifted. A few shortcomings of IQ tests are:
- The younger a child is the less valid an IQ test
- If you know your child’s IQ it may influence your expectations in a positive or negative way. If your child’s IQ does not measure up to your assumptions it may cause you to have lower expectations for your child.
- Some children to not do well in testing situations.
- IQ tests measure analytical and verbal skills and ignore other areas such as creativity, leadership, special talents, etc.
Renzulli
Renzulli says that a gifted child has creativity, above average ability, and task commitment. These three areas work together in a gifted child, although a child will often have an area in which she is strongest. Renzulli postulates that some balance in all three of these areas is needed for a child to be considered gifted.
Gardner’s Mulitiple Intelligences
Gardner’s theory of intelligence describes many areas of giftedness and theorizes that people can be gifted in one or more of these various areas. If a child shows skill and interest in one or more of these areas then he or she is gifted in those areas. The multiple intelligences are:
Linguistic intelligence ("word smart"):
Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
Musical intelligence ("music smart")
Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")
Characteristics
For homeschooling parents and for teachers, looking at characteristics can sometimes be the most helpful way of determining if a child is gifted. Gifted characteristics can manifest themselves in both positive and negative ways. It is important to be aware of both the positive and negative and to realize that a gifted child is not a “perfect” child nor necessarily a compliant child.
No one child will possess all of these characteristics, but gifted children will usually exhibit many of them.
Positive Characteristics
Learns easily and rapidly
Is highly imaginative. Is less inclined to follow the organization and ideas of others.
Has a high degree of curiosity. Asks many questions. Is interested in a wide range of things.
Has keen powers of observation and is alert.
Reasons things out, thinks clearly, recognizes relationships, comprehends meanings.
Has longer attention span and interest span.
Can often form generalizations and use them in new situations.
Has greater than average ability to grasp concepts and see abstract relationships.
Has a large vocabulary which is used easily and accurately.
Retains what has been heard or read without much rote skill.
Enjoys reading, usually at a mature level.
Follow directions easily.
Has a good sense of humor
Can use materials, words or ideas in new ways.
Has a strong desire to excel.
Uses a great deal of common sense and practical knowledge.
Is a leader in several kinds of activities. Is often asked ideas and suggestions. Is looked to by others when something must be decided.
Negative Characteristics
Can easily become bored with routine assignments.
May want to do things his/her own way—why not?
Can become a real pest.
May notice too much in the classroom
May see relationships others do not see and want to spend large amounts of class time discussing all this.
Sometimes doesn’t want to stop one project and start the next.
May notice the teacher’s lack of inconsistency with “But you said we should always…”
Can get lost pursuing own thoughts. Can appear to be daydreaming or not paying attention.
Often gets bored by repetitious assignments.
Always has nose in a book and maybe the book doesn’t seem terribly appropriate.
May not always pay close attention to directions.
Can make jokes at adults’ expense. Not everyone appreciates this.
Sometimes too innovative.
Can be easily or too deeply upset by perceived “failure”.
Can be too authoritative.
Can become too bossy and be unwilling to listen to the opinions of others.
Conclusion
In my opinion, if you continue to educate your child as if she or he is gifted, you can not go wrong. Students will often rise up to the expectations we have for them. The educational strategies that are suggested for gifted children can be beneficial for all children, as long as a child is not being pushed beyond his readiness or ability to understand.
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