1. Gifted Learners:
Characteristics

2. Giftedness is a greater awareness, a greater sensitivity, and a greater ability to understand and transform perceptions into intellectual and emotional experiences.
—Annemarie Roeper (2000) 2

3. Characteristics Not all gifted students will have all characteristics
Some students will have some of the characteristics but may not be gifted
Both positive and negative manifestations

4. Characteristics Learns new things quickly
Has extensive vocabulary; background knowledge
Intuitive
Thinks creatively
Grasps big-picture concepts, connections
Grasps math concepts easily

5. Complex games, fantasy, nonfiction
Characteristics
Great sense of humor
Variety of friends
Complex games, fantasy, nonfiction
Perfectionistic
Observant
Curious

6. Asynchronous Development
Uneven
development
Uneven cognitive abilities
Conflicting messages from others
Difficulty with
interaction
Asynchronous Development

7. Heightened Multifaceted Sensitivity
Giftedness: Two Types of Characteristics
Cognitive
advanced compre-hension
efficient information processing
excellent memory
Affective
heightened sensitivity
heightened self-criticism
emotional intensity
(Mendaglio, 2003)

8. Developmental Potential: Overexcitabilities
Intellectual
Emotional
Sensual
Psychomotor
Imaginational

9. Intellectual Strong desire to know and to understand
Curiosity; abundance of questions
Desire to learn

10. Sensual Enriched perceptions of and reactions to sensory experiences
May involve one or more senses
Sensory experience may be viewed as too intense
Seeks sensory outlets for tension

11. Psychomotor Heightened excitability— neuromuscular system
Intense physical activity
Rapid speech
Less sleep
Need for movement
Difficulty relaxing
Psychomotor

12. Emotional Deep attachment Intense joy and exuberance
Strong empathy and compassion
Concern with death, fears, anxieties, depression

13. Imaginational Rich imagery, visuali-zation, inventive
Vivid dreams
Fantasy; imaginary playmates
Difficulty in separating real from imaginary
Imaginational
Kristie

14. Tips Remember they are children first Appreciate their interests
Validate their sensitivities
Give opportunities for them to be together