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Levels of Giftedness
How Smart Is My Child?
By Deborah L. Ruf, Ph.D.
Many parents wonder how their children compare to other children. They may have very good reasons to suspect their children are gifted (for example, their 5-year-old is adding pupils and eyelashes to their drawings of people or their 3-year-old can read an "Exit" sign), but they're not sure how to prove or disprove it. Proof about giftedness can be critical, because it helps parents to provide more opportunities for their kids' increased growth, enjoyment and success in areas of interest.
There are certain childhood behaviors – milestones – that can tell us when children are ahead of or behind others their age. Most of the charts on childhood development show the typical range of behaviors for each age group. If your child is ahead of those tables, that doesn't necessarily mean he or she is on the fast track or slated to become the next Doogie Howser, M.D. Levels of giftedness range from those who are simply bright to those who are intellectually astonishing.
Here's an overview of the various levels of giftedness and milestones that are common – but not necessary – to each Level. Here, also, are the numbers at each "Level of Giftedness" that you are likely to find in an average elementary classroom of 28 children. It is the overall "feel" of where the child fits that tells you the level.
- These children show interest in many things before they are even 2 years old, like colors, saying the numbers in order and playing simple puzzles.
- Most of them are good talkers by age 3, and by 4, many print letters and numbers, recognize simple signs, their name and know most of the alphabet.
- By the time they are 6 years old, many read beginner books and type at the computer, and most read chapter books by age 7.