Introduction
Every parent believes their child is special, and many may even wonder if they are gifted, especially when they show impressive abilities for their age. But it is easy to stop there, as many people link giftedness with high IQ or good grades. For example, an IQ above 130 is often seen as the benchmark for being ‘gifted’. However, giftedness is actually broader than many think. This article will explore what giftedness is, the common traits gifted children share, and how parents can best nurture their potential.
What is Giftedness?
In simple terms, giftedness refers to the natural, advanced ability or potential in one or more specific areas compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment. The definition of these “specific areas” can vary across regions and institutions, but many of them, including Hong Kong, have developed their gifted education policies with the broad view of Dr. Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which includes:
- Linguistic intelligence: The ability to use language effectively.
- Spatial intelligence: The ability to perceive and understand visual and spatial information accurately.
- Logical-mathematical intelligence: The ability to think logically, reason critically, and understand mathematical concepts.
- Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: The ability to control one’s body movements and handle objects skillfully.
- Musical intelligence: Sensitivity to rhythm, melody, and musical patterns.
- Interpersonal intelligence: The ability to understand and interact effectively with others.
- Intrapersonal intelligence: The capacity for self-awareness and understanding one’s own emotions, thoughts, and motivations.
- Naturalistic intelligence: The ability to recognize, understand, and connect with nature and the environment.
However, not all areas of giftedness are treated equally. Some children who are gifted in areas like logic and reasoning, memory, or verbal skills may receive more attention in a traditional school setting. In contrast, other gifted individuals who excel at sports, music, art, or interpersonal skills are sometimes neglected.
Giftedness VS. Talent
It’s also quite common for parents to mix up giftedness and talent. While they seem similar, giftedness refers to an innate potential or naturally advanced ability without training, while talent develops through systematic learning and training. In other words, giftedness is the seed, and talent is developed when that seed is nurtured.
Why is it important to discover the giftedness in your child?
Why is it important to discover the giftedness in your child?Gifted children are different from their peers and naturally need extra support to develop their abilities. Without proper guidance, their gifts may be suppressed or go unnoticed, and more importantly, their mental well-being can be affected. Therefore, discovering giftedness as early as possible can help provide the best support and maximize their potential.
For instance, a musically gifted child could receive more professional training from a specialized music school, while academically gifted children may need accelerated classes or even skip grades to stay engaged in school. If their giftedness goes unnoticed and they continue on a standard educational track, not only is their potential held back, but they may also experience boredom, frustration, and even depression, as they may feel alienated and find it difficult to relate to their peers.
Traits & Behaviors of a Gifted Child
Carefully observing your child’s traits and behavior can also help identify whether they are gifted. Gifted children often share common characteristics, even if their specific gifts are in different areas. Some of these traits include:
| Cognitive | Emotions | Creativity |
| Advanced comprehension | Emotional Depth | Imaginative |
| Information sponges | Overexcitabilities | Creative Problem Solving |
| Intense focus and memory | Leadership | Adventurous |
| Excellent language ability | Perfectionist | High-level sense of aesthetics |
| Full of curiosity | Quirky sense of humor | Energetic |
Cognitive Behaviors
Children who are gifted often start reading early, show intense curiosity, and ask detailed questions from a very young age. They try to understand the world through reading books, asking questions, and even teaching themselves new skills, demonstrating an advanced level of comprehension and language abilities.
Emotional Behavior
Some gifted children have unusually high emotional intelligence and mature emotional depth. They could be highly compassionate and feel emotions much more strongly, hence more sensitive to others around them.
Creative Behavior
Children gifted in creative areas often have an imaginative mind. They always think outside the box, propose original ideas, and show flexibility and dedication in their work. Many also have a strong sense of aesthetics and a unique perspective on the world.
The Double-Edged Nature of Traits
Just a reminder, these gifted characteristics won’t always present positively; they can turn into negative forms. Gifted children may have highly developed cognitive abilities, but this does not necessarily mean their emotional or social development is equally advanced. For example, overenergetic behavior can cause chaos in the class, or a witty sense of humor can come off sarcastic or offensive.
How should we cultivate gifted children?
Between ages 2-6, there’s no need to rush into formal gifted education, as proper programs typically begin in primary school. However, to better support your child, you can select a preschool that provides opportunities for them to explore their strengths. For example, at Tutor Time, the tailored pathway approach allows teachers to identify each child’s giftedness and strengths, and provide tailored support for their development.
At the same time, while gifted children may show exceptional intelligence in certain areas, other skills, such as emotional and interpersonal abilities, are equally important in today’s world. Cultivating a well-rounded child is still one of the most important aspects of early education.
Conclusion
Giftedness is not solely determined by IQ or academic performance– it reflects excellence in a variety of areas such as social skills, creativity, sports, and more. Observing and discovering your child’s gifts early allows you to provide appropriate support and choose the right school so your child’s potential can be fully unleashed and utilized. If you’re still curious about whether or not your child is gifted, you can also ask an expert for a formal evaluation.
To learn more about parenting and development, visit: https://form.tutortime.com.hk/parenting-and-development
More Resources:
https://www.readandspell.com/signs-of-a-gifted-child
https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/how-to-support-your-gifted-child/
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