How would you know if your child is gifted?

Question

My 6 yr. old starts interrupting class after awhile of just sitting down on his chair. I don't test him on spelling, bec. he always comes home with a 100% test; his reading skills are in a 3rd grade level; he also gets frustrated when he can't get a picture he drew right, doesn't like pants that are long; his shirts or collared shirts has to be tucked in even if school is over; his inside sleeves has to be on a perfect setting on his wrist when he wears a jacket or he gets angry too. What does all this mean to you? His principal said he's smart and very articulate. What does that mean??

Answer 1

It means he is smart and articulate.  My daughter is the same way.  Go to the book store and get The Big Book Of Search and Find and the Book of Mazes.  They also have other books of games  He can race through it as fast as his mind will allow.  Have him plant things and watch it grow.  Explain how everything works.  Piano lessons are a huge help as well.  So are swimming lessons which are a mind body workout.  This is the kind of kid that needs intelligent conversation and activites that will satisfy his curious and improving mind.  

You may find he has less in common with the neighborhood kids at times.  Play time and socializing are so important but when other kids do not find some of his interests to their liking they may blow him off which can be upsetting. This happened when my daughter wanted to put grass blades, bugs and dirt under a microscope and the other kids weren't interested.  In fear of her losing her interest in science, I had to play those games with her instead.  Now she is going on eight and excelling in science class.  We have experiments on window ledges across the house. Everything your son makes, put it out or hang it up to be admired.  No matter how ridiculous it looks spewed across your clean house.

As eager as your child is to learn, you have to be just as eager and excited in order for him to like himself for who he is.  Stay involved as you obviously are.  You won't regret how tiring it can be at times either.  Congradulations.  Your son is so lucky that you recognize his talents.

Answer 2

Smart-Pronunciation: \ˈsmärt\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English smert causing pain, from Old English smeart; akin to Old English smeortan

Date: before 12th century

1: making one smart : causing a sharp stinging

2: marked by often sharp forceful activity or vigorous strength <a smart pull of the starter cord>

3: brisk, spirited <a smart pace>

4 a: mentally alert : bright b: knowledgeable c: shrewd <a smart investment>

5 a: witty, clever <a smart sitcom> b: pert, saucy <don't get smart with me>

6 a: neat, trim <soldiers in smart uniforms> b: stylish or elegant in dress or appearance c (1): appealing to sophisticated tastes (2): characteristic of or patronized by fashionable society

7 a: being a guided missile <a laser-guided smart bomb> b: operating by automation <a smart machine tool> c: intelligent 3

— smart·ly adverb

— smart·ness noun

Articulate- Pronunciation: \är-ˈti-kyə-lət\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin articulatus jointed, past participle of articulare, from articulus

Date: 1586

1 a: divided into syllables or words meaningfully arranged : intelligible b: able to speak c: expressing oneself readily, clearly, or effectively <an articulate teacher>; also : expressed in this manner <an articulate argument>

2 a: consisting of segments united by joints : jointed <articulate animals> b: distinctly marked off

— ar·tic·u·late·ly adverb

— ar·tic·u·late·ness noun

Answer 3

In our school system, a child is identified as "gifted" in the third grade, when they start taking the state standardized tests.   I believe this is true of most public schools.  Sadly, many of the school systems have done away with their "gifted and talented" programs because of budgetary concerns.   You may want to check on this with your school district.

If your son is in private school, chances are that he will never be identified as gifted, because private schools often do not participate in state testing, and do not routinely do such testing.  If this is the case, ask your son's teacher for some recommendations as to how he can be tested.

Answer 4

His clothing has NOTHING to do with it...that's just a personal preference.

Both of my sons are gifted.  One has a faux-hawk and dresses like a skater (sans the baggy pants).  The other dresses like a prep.  

We found out our older son was gifted in kindergarten (we knew before that, though...he started reading at 3) because he would interrupt class all the time.  He was bored.  Now he is in 4th grade and part of the gifted and talented.  They sat him for testing in 2nd grade (which is not the norm in our district).  

Our younger son was tested last week because they knew who his brother was, and he blew everyone in his grade away when it came to any sort of academic work.  He doesn't want to join G&T and that's fine with us (until high school LOL).

Ask the school for a recommendation for a educational psychologist that tests children.  He sounds like he is very, very bright.  

If he is getting too angry, you might want to talk with a counselor about that, too.  I realize boys will be boys (I have two sons).  A mother will know when it crosses that line.

Answer 5

all that stuff about his clothing sound like sensory issues - you may want to read more about asperger's syndrome, non verbal learning disabilities and sensory integration issues...not that your son has any of it, but it might give you a frame of reference as to what is "normal" and what is unusual...

Is his behavior creating a problem in the classroom?  If so, his teacher should be referring him to your school's child study team for consultation.

Answer 6

I think he interrupts because he is bored. See what the school can do to challenge him. Maybe a learning center in the area can test him.

He sounds like he is very particular about what he likes and wants to do everything his best. His principal means he acts older than he is - another reason to see if they can challenge him more.

Answer 7

it means to me that he's smart, articulate, talkative, and a perfectionist.  :-)  the interrupting part may mean he's bored by the curriculum ... or that's he needs to work a little more on his behavioral/social skills ... or both.

if you have a gifted and talented program at your school and you think he's not being challenged enough in the regular program, it's certainly worth going through any required testing to get him in.

edit -- ask at the school.  if they don't have a gifted and talented program, there's honestly no reason to test ... he's smart; they know it; and having a gifted label isn't going to get him a different curriculum (and may put unnecessary pressure on him).  if they do have some kind of honors or gifted program and he has to be tested to get in, it's doubtless worth it, and they'll let you know what you have to do.

Answer 8

if the school thinks you have a gifted child they should test him to see if he is. Or he just might be a really smart perfectionist. i mean i'm gifted but i'm really quite the oppisite of a perfectionist. i mean i like stuff to be a certain way but i need them messy.i have no clue what articulate means but u should know what smart means.i mean i'm in 5th grade but my reading skills are on a 11th grade lvl. if hes gifted hes gifted. i don't really think its that big of a deal.