how can you tell if your child is gifted? She's 8 years old?

Answer 1

Often early speech or reading is a sign. A large vocabulary for her age or a reading level above what she should have. An interest in things that her peers don't seem interested in could be another thing to look for (e.g. an intense interest in science, mathematics, music, etc). Insatiable curiosity is often a clue. She may also feel more comfortable around adults, and adult conversations, than she is around children her own age.

The only real way to be absolutely sure would be to have her tested. Talk to the counselor at her school and they should be able to point you to someone who can administer the tests and make a determination one way or the other.

Answer 2

"Gifted" appears in many different ways and varies from child to child. It does not necessarily show itself in good grades or good behavior. I cannot stress that enough - - there are several criteria for gauging giftedness and an advanced aptitude in reading/spelling/math are not the only indicators of giftedness! A gifted creative thinker may not do well on tests at all, and in fact may not do well in a standardized school setting. A gifted child usually has the ability to see and think in a wider sphere than his/her peers. You might hear your child ask the most incredible questions, or make unique observations. They may have no qualms about challenging any authority if presented with a broad generalization (ie, if a teacher says "the sky is blue", a gifted child may blurt out "not when it's raining"! - - some teachers perceive this as rude, but to some gifted kids, it is a challenge they cannot contain). They may have a passion and excel in one (or more) specific area (music, art, etc). It is very important to expose your child to a wide variety of experiences, so they can discover and examine the world around them. Also, if your child is gifted, do not assume the school years will go by without any bumps. For a teacher with a classroom of 30 students focused on "no child left behind" methodology, a gifted child can be as much of a distraction as a "special ed" student. It is important that you are aware of what is going on at your child's school, utilize their programs, and advocate for your child. I highly recommend the following:

National Association for Gifted Children: www.nacg.org
Calif. Assoc for the Gifted: www.cagifted.org
Gifted Children: www.gifted-children.org

I also recommend books written by Jim Delisle and/or Judy Galbraith; you can find them by doing a search for "gifted child" on Amazon.com.

This is the definition used by my childrens' school:

Characteristics of Gifted Children:
A gifted person is someone who shows, or has the potential for showing, an exceptional level of performance in one or more areas of expression. Approximately five percent of the student population is considered gifted.

Bright Child vs. Gifted Learner
Sometimes a bright child can be confused with a gifted child. The following is a list that may clarify the difference between the two.

Bright Child: Knows the answer
Gifted Learner: Asks the question

Bright Child: Is interested
Gifted Learner: Is highly curious

Bright Child: Is attentive
Gifted Learner: Is mentally and physically involved

Bright Child: Has good ideas
Gifted Learner: Has wild silly ideas

Bright Child: Top of the class
Gifted Learner: Beyond the class level

Bright Child: Learns with ease
Gifted Learner: Already knows

Bright Child: Enjoys peers
Gifted Learner: Prefers adults

Bright Child: Completes assignments
Gifted Learner: Initiates projects

Bright Child: Is alert
Gifted Learner: Is keenly observant

Bright Child: Is pleased with learning
Gifted Learner: Is highly critical

Answer 3

i have a brother who's now 34 he is gifted. He could read 6 letter words like "notice" by age of 4 . He did math at 3. It has always been a burden for him honestly. I would not wish on my kids his gift. He has his whole life felt outcast and can not relate to people with a IQ lower then his "which happens to be everyone he knows". He can't form bonds correctly with people. He has said he wished he was dumb so life would be easier lol. i never got that gift. We had the same 1st grade teacher the teacher actually told my mom she expected more of me because of my brother she was disappointed.

Answer 4

Here's a couple of guidelines:

Observation: Does the child observe things in her surroundings? Does she assert things?

Processing: Does the child process and synthesize the information collected from her observations? This meaning that she takes the information and in a way analyzes it.

Conclusions: Does the child draw conclusions from her analysis?

Also, does the child verbalize it? That's the only way you'll be able to tell.

I asked my dad about this a couple weeks ago. He's a doctor, and he told me this is what I did. Of course, I was a very serious child.

Answer 5

My oldest son is "gifted". He was tested at school and they determined that in second grade he was reading at a high school level, in the 3rd grade he was granted special access to the local community college library at the request of his AIG teacher(academically and intellectually gifted) and school principal. They wanted me to give permission to advance him in grades to a higher grade, but after consideration of not only academic, but social ramifications, I declined to advance him. My son was very small for his age, the doctor recommended human growth hormones to help him gain a extra inch or two. With his extreme intelligence and small stature he was the poster boy for getting beat up in school, but he found friends in school that accepted him for both his intellect and stature, I thought his emotional well being was as important as his academic. He is now a junior in school, and is doing great, and has friends that he will have for life. I am glad that I didn't advance him in grades, and didn't push him to feel like he had to be the best at everything. I wanted a normal kid, not a show toy to take out and brag to my friends like lots of parents of gifted children do.

Answer 6

Every child is gifted in their own special way. Some are just tighter. It pretty much depends on the reactions of others to be honest. You should know as her parent though.

Answer 7

Have her tested. Most parents think their child is gifted. Just remember sroring high on tests doesn't make them gifted.

Answer 8

What are some signs she has? Need more info! Gifted how?

Answer 9

does she appear to be gifted for her age? What do others think about her?

Answer 10

the school told us. he was off the charts at 6. we just thought he was full of himself!! btw, he is 19 now, and a 2nd yr senior in college.