Identifying fast learners with potential

The following is a list of some characteristics shared by children who have high potential and may be fast learners. No child will show all of these, since high Potential does not mean in every area.

Speak fluently using advanced level words. Seem older in their thinking.
Very good memory for words, songs, rhymes, stories, places or numbers.
Keen reader, may have read a bit before starting school.
Obvious musical or artistic or sports talent ahead of others that age.
Puts ideas together in unusual ways and may see things in a different perspective. May be a divergent thinker.
Sets very high standards for self and others. Maybe has trouble due to perfectionism, may be quite judgmental.
May have extra sensitivities to food or chemicals – rash, runny nose, voice a bit different, constipation, tummy pains
Always does excellent work, beautifully presented. Near or at top of class.
Refuses to write things down or hand in required work but will do things for hours at home, maybe even the school work that was not handed in.
Doodles all over everything, books, work, walls when little, when thinking.
Gets into trouble for asking too many questions and pestering the teacher.
Can tell you all about a topic, in detail, but doesn’t complete the project.
Has been assessed as gifted by a psychologist or university gifted centre.
Has state run exam results off the top end – D or HD results
Thinks and argues well, is independent, self-sufficient and may be bossy.
Great interest in the future, dinosaurs, astronomy, death, world problems or computer games of skill, or electronics.
Like to mix with children a couple of years older. They permit it.
Have excellent general knowledge for that age. “A sponge” of knowledge.
Very sensitive to injustice and unfair treatment of self or others. Stands up for the underdog and is altruistic at an early age. Like the rules to be kept.
May have very few or even no friends in class as interests are too different.
May be a social leader, take charge, run things, have many friends.
May be a lovely, well mannered, good person who is balanced and friendly.
May have deep emotional concerns about evil, death, war, poverty and their lack of ability to “fix” things. May suffer depression at an early age and ongoing.
Read teenage magazines at a young age and take on inappropriate attitudes eg anorexia tendency. Usually they are not interested in the opposite sex too early because they can have them as real, ordinary friends.
May be very sensitive to colour, perfume, clothing labels, rough cloth, nature scenes. Really get ecstatic about the good ones and avoid the bad ones. They could be quite fussy and you need to watch out and cooperate or they suffer real pain.

If your child fits several of these categories then it would be wise to have an assessment to check out their real potential . This may be done personally or online at www.testmychild.net.