Characteristics of Gifted Students

Cognitive Traits

Very observant

Extremely curious

Intense interests

Excellent memory

Long attention span

Excellent reasoning skill

Well-developed powers of abstraction, conceptualization, and synthesis

Quickly and easily sees relationships in ideas, objects, or fact

Fluent and flexible thinking

Elaborate and original thinking

Learns quickly with less practice and repetition

Unusual and/or vivid imagination

Social and Emotional Traits

Interested in philosophical and social issues

Very sensitive emotionally and even possible physically

Concerned about fairness and injustice

Perfectionist

Energetic

Well-developed sense of humor

Intrinsically motivated in areas of choice

Relates well to adults

Language Traits

Extensive vocabulary

May read early

Reads rapidly and widely

Asks "what if" questions

Additional Traits

Enjoys learning new things

Enjoys intellectual activity

Displays intellectual playfulness

Prefers books and magazines meant for older children

Skeptical, critical, and evaluative

Asynchronous development

From giftedkids.about.com