Gifted Traits

No two gifted individuals are the same; each has their own unique patterns and traits. There are many traits that gifted individuals have in common, but no gifted learner exhibits traits in every area.

This list of traits may help you better understand whether or not your child is gifted (source: Clark, B. (2008). Growing up gifted (7th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.):

Cognitive

Creative

Affective

Unusual emotional depth and intensity
Sensitivity or empathy to the feelings of others
High expectations of self and others, often leading to feelings of frustration
Heightened self-awareness, accompanied by feelings of being different
Easily wounded, need for emotional support
Need for consistency between abstract values and personal actions
Advanced levels of moral judgment
Idealism and sense of justice

Behavioral

Spontaneity
Boundless enthusiasm
Intensely focused on passions; resists changing activities when engrossed in own interests
Highly energetic—needs little sleep or downtime
Constantly questions
Insatiable curiosity
Impulsive, eager, and spirited
Perseverance—strong determination in areas of importance
High levels of frustration—particularly when having difficulty meeting standards of performance (either imposed by self or others)
Volatile temper, especially related to perceptions of failure
Non-stop talking/chattering

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Gifted Traits

Cognitive

Creative

Affective

Behavioral

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