August 22, 2025
When we talk about gifted children, it’s easy to picture them as kids who simply “do well in school.” But reality is far more complex. Being gifted is not just about academics or IQ scores; it’s about a combination of abilities, perceptions, and behaviors that often set them apart from their peers in ways both remarkable and challenging. These traits come with unique needs and experiences that parents, educators, and even the children themselves must learn to navigate.
In the way of definition, a ‘gifted’ individual has an IQ of 130 or more, with 100 being the IQ average across the population … 2% of the population is gifted.
One of the most striking traits is the ability to comprehend material several grade levels above their age peers. A gifted child might be eight years old, but capable of understanding concepts taught in high school, or even college. This can create a mismatch between their intellectual capacity and the curriculum offered at their grade level.
In some cases, it’s exhilarating for them. But it can also lead to boredom if their learning environment isn’t adapted to keep up with them. The challenge isn’t just about giving them harder material; it’s about giving them deeper, richer learning opportunities that respect their capabilities without skipping over the social and emotional growth they need at their age.
When I was in 6th grade, we had to write an essay about mythology after our unit on Greek Mythology. Everyone was writing about Zeus and Hercules and so forth. I wrote my essay on “Where Was Atlantis?” Mrs. Fix gave me a D, said I didn’t follow directions. Amazing that 65 years later I clearly remember that.
Many gifted children also show surprising emotional depth and sensitivity at a young age. They don’t just understand that people can be sad; they can feel the weight of another person’s sadness in a way that can seem far beyond their years. This emotional intensity can make life harder. A gifted child might worry about global conflicts, environmental destruction, or social injustice in a way that’s intense and personal. For adults, it can be surprising to hear a ten-year-old talk about these topics with the seriousness of a seasoned activist. But for the child, that emotional engagement is a real part of their inner life.
Another hallmark trait is a strong sense of curiosity. Gifted children don’t just want to know what something is; they want to know why, how, and what if. A trip to the park might turn into an interrogation about the physics of a swing, the life cycle of ants, or the geology of the rocks. They’re not satisfied with superficial answers, and they can tell when someone is brushing them off. While this makes them incredible learners, it can also be exhausting for parents and teachers trying to keep up.
Hand in hand with curiosity is enthusiasm for unique interests and topics. While most children might cycle through popular hobbies, gifted kids can latch on to a niche interest with an extreme level of intensity. Whether it’s ancient Egyptian architecture, marine biology, black holes, or classical music (Atlantis?), they often dive headfirst into learning everything they can. This focus can make them stand out among peers, not always in ways they’d like.
Many gifted children also display a quirky or mature sense of humor. They might enjoy wordplay, satire, or jokes that require background knowledge far beyond their age. They often get humor that flies over the heads of their peers, and conversely, they may not find common playground jokes particularly amusing. When your sense of humor is out of sync with those around you, it can add to the sense that perhaps there’s something wrong with you…a self-esteem downer.
When it comes to learning, many gifted children absorb information quickly with few repetitions needed. They can grasp a concept the first time it’s explained and immediately apply it…if it interests them. This means they may become impatient in environments where lessons are repeated for the sake of the group, and they tune out. While this ability is a clear advantage academically, it can also be a source of frustration when they’re required to “show their work” or follow step-by-step processes they’ve already internalized.
I know a Mensan whose math grade on quizzes was constantly marked down because she didn’t show her work as requested. She didn’t show it because she did it all in her head and simply wrote down the answer.
Taken together, these characteristics paint a picture of children who are operating on multiple advanced levels all at once. Being gifted isn’t just “being smarter.” It’s having a brain and a heart tuned to a different frequency. That difference can be thrilling and full of potential, but it also means these children may feel out of place, misunderstood, lonely. This was very real for me.
For parents and educators, supporting a gifted child means more than feeding them advanced books or enrolling them in challenging programs. It means letting them dive into their obsessions without judgment. But also teaching them the patience to navigate environments that won’t always move at their speed. It means protecting their sensitivity without allowing them victimhood.
Recognizing their unique characteristics is the first step in giving them what they truly need: the support to grow into the adults they are capable of becoming.
Next Week: Nurturing intellectually gifted children.
Thoughts, questions, or reflections? I’d love to hear them. You can reach me anytime at anthony@workingprofit.com
