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If you have never been a teacher at grade school or high school level, you have missed out on one of the rewarding experiences on earth. I know this because I spent some years teaching English Language and Literature-in-English before I moved into writing and editing.

As a teacher, you work with kids. You are like a potter molding the minds of future leaders. You are in effect a marker of the destiny of another so I insist, teachers have a special responsibility.

In the course of your duties as a teacher you are bound to come into contact with some very highly gifted children. Now, how do you recognize the gifted child and bring out his innate potential to the maximum level?

First, let us look at the indicators that reveal the fact of a child being highly gifted.

Reading Skills:

This is the one basic indicator of a gifted child. The child that can read fluently and confidently at a very tender age is special. So, you can spot the gifted child by virtue of his reading skills.

Numerical Ability:

You cannot expect a child in grade school to be at home with complex algebra and calculus. It is not possible. But some children from an early stage display an uncommon aptitude for figures. Recognize the signs and guide the child to the path of his naturally inclination.

Good Memory:

We all know that most kids don't have a long attention span. They are also very forgetful the reason is that they are usually playful and distracted. But the child who displays the ability to remember his lesson is special. It is a sign of diligence and commitment and this is very vital to success later in life.

Writing skills:

Writing skills here does not refer to fine hand writing. We are talking about the ability to write decent composition. This is an indubitable talent and should be encouraged from early stages.

Speaking Skills:

You cannot expect kids to have the inimitable speaking skills of Barak Obama. How ever, if a child can express himself logically, confidentially and clearly, it is a sign of great things later in life.

Leadership Skills.

It is never too early to expose kids to the basics of leadership. This is a large part of what they are getting trained for any how. So, the child that seems to be a natural leader in the class.

Aptitude for Sports:

Being a gifted child is not all about mental gifts. Some kids can also be highly gifted in a physical sense. In this case, we are referring to kids who have a natural aptitude for sports such as football, baseball, athletics and basket ball. Recognize the latent ability and encourage the kids to develop their potential.

Finally, permit to tell you something you already know. A teacher's job is a far cry from just going through the motions. As a teacher, you are involved with real live human beings. So keep your eyes wide open. Recognize the highly gifted child and do your best to bring out his gifts. It is the very least you can do.

Learn more about this author, Emmanuel Osondu.
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