Definition of Giftedness
Some people concern about the academic achievement, others concern about the emotional and behavioural gifted individuals. Regardless of the variations of understanding giftedness, the gifted individuals can tell you right away how they feel like. Giftedness is intense sensitivity that you can't help it or deny its existence.
Giftedness intensifies an individual's capacity to quest for deeper meaning of everything, anything. Giftedness triggers persistent passion and adorable compassion to reach perfect. It is a call for a fulfilling life.
Many gifted individuals echo the following definition from the bottom of their hearts: "Giftedness is Asynchronous Development in which advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity are combined to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm.
This asynchrony increases with higher intellectual capacity. The uniqueness of the gifted renders them particularly vulnerable and requires modifications in parenting, teaching and counseling in order for them to develop optimally." The Columbus Group, 1991
Common Characteristics of Giftedness (L.K. Silverman and E. B. Maxwell, 1993)
The "timetables for development" gifted children have different from other children.
They may display significantly advanced abstract thinking and sensitivity to feelings or moral issues. Nonetheless, they may not be showing equally exceptional performance in the regular educational setting as their age peers. They may even be facing more challenges than others.
- 1. Reasons well (good thinker)
- 2. Learns rapidly
- 3. Has extensive vocabulary
- 4. Has an excellent memory
- 5. Has long attention span *
- 6. Sensitive (feelings hurt easily)
- 7. Shows compassion
- 8. Perfectionistic
- 9. Intense
- 10. Morally sensitive
- 11. Has strong curiosity
- 12. Perseverance when interested *
- 13. Has high degree of energy
- 14. Prefers older companions/adults
- 15. Has a wide range of interests
- 16. Has a great sense of humor
- 17. Early or avid reader **
- 18. Concerned with justice, fairness
- 19. Judgment mature for age at times
- 20. Is a keen observer
- 21. Has a vivid imagination
- 22. Is highly creative
- 23. Tends to question authority
- 24. Shows ability with numbers
- 25. Good at jigsaw puzzles
* Consider attention span or perseverence for areas of interests: Does the child stay with tasks for long period of time?
** If the child is too young to read, then is s/he intensely interested in book?