Homeschool
Curriculum
Being the
parent of and raising a gifted child can be very exciting
and rewarding yet just as daunting as well. But first, how
do you as a parent recognize the characteristics of a
gifted child? Definitions and perceptions of what
exactly constitutes a gifted child vary among those experts
in this field of child development and education.
Gifted
children will generally not only require some modifications
to the teaching they receive, but will also require
parenting modification as well in order to develop
optimally. Many times because gifted children will still
develop physically and emotionally at an average rate, this
will present some interesting dilemmas for both parents and
teachers.
However, as
with any child that would have special needs, early
recognition and proper intervention play a key role in
supporting a gifted child.
Some early signs of giftedness may include:
- Has an
advanced specific talent with numbers and math or
perhaps can draw exceptionally realistic pictures.
- Early
and advanced language, vocabulary, and memory skills.
- An
advanced or intense sense of curiosity.
- A long
attention span.
- High
level of activity (although hyperactive children display
high levels of activity, theirs is usually one combined
with a short attention span).
-
Reaches child development skills well ahead of their
peers.
-
Functions at a high level not needing as much sleep
(infancy).
- At an
early age easily reacts to (recognize) their caregiver.
- At
some point the child may begin to sense they are
different and display signs of withdrawal.
- The
child could possibly show signs of frustrations as their
ability to express themselves (emotional development)
isn't on par with their mental capabilities.
-
Frequent anger and frustration is a watch point, and
could warrant seeking professional advice.
If your child consistently exhibits several of these
characteristics of gifted children (if your
child is gifted, many of these characteristics go hand in hand) you may want to
have your child assessed by a child development professional.
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