by Trenna Sue Hiler

Created on: April 20, 2008   Last Updated: November 15, 2009

Spotting a gifted child is not as easy task. In fact, very few gifted children display the same behaviors. They often have very different gifts. It takes a teacher quite awhile to learn to spot a highly gifted student.

James is a nuisance in the classroom. He won't sit still. He won't stay on task. He often bothers other students. When he does do work he does it fast and often in a sloppy manner. James is a highly gifted student without any resources.

Here are some interesting facts to consider about some famous highly gifted children.

1. Leo Tolstoy actually flunked out of college

2. It was reported that Louis Pasteur was a mediocre chemistry student at Ryan College

3. Winston Churchill failed and had to repeat the sixth grade

4. Albert Einstein could not read until he was seven and could not speak until he was four years old.

5. Walt Disney was fired from an editor position at a newspaper because he was said to have no good ideas.

It seems obvious that some highly gifted people are misunderstood. So what are some things a teacher should be looking for in the students?

~ Inquisitive ~

They ask a large numbers of questions and seem to need to know how and why. They often can not be put off with a simple answer.

~ Independent ~

Often these children can do it themselves and they know it. They appreciate being left alone to accomplish a task. They are capable of asking for assistance when they require it.

~ Fascination with one topic~

If something interests them they may have that one track mind. This can seem disruptive in a class room setting. All they want to do is write or math or art. They may refuse to participate in other activities.

~ Intuitive ~

Gifted children tend to pick up on nonverbal cues. They watch behavior and don't need things explained in detail. Sometimes this causes many misunderstandings because they may not have to social skills to make the correct assumptions.

~ Large Vocabulary ~

A large vocabulary often comes from communication and reading skills. The more you read the more vocabulary you are exposed to. The more you listen the more you hear. The more questions you ask about new topics the more words you are introduces to. Listening is a good way to identify a gifted student.

~ Cause and Effect ~

They seem to draw conclusions in this manner. It's easy for them to identify to this type of logic.

The other thing to remember is that they are children and individuals. There isn't a perfect list to let you know if a child is gifted. It's an investigation. Take all the help that is offered and do whatever it takes to get the child educated to their highest potential.

Sources:
www.ri.net
www.austega.com

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