Gifted Education School Network Experience Sharing Compendium - Traits of Gifted Students

Traits of Gifted Students

Every gifted student is unique. Although gifted students do not constitute a single homogeneous group, many of them have similar characteristics. The following are some commonly found traits among gifted students:

Cognitive traits:

• high level of language development and verbal ability
• extraordinary memory and attention
• advanced reading and comprehension ability
• logical thinking
• prefer self-directed learning
• quick thought processes
• extremely curious
• early ability to use and form conceptual frameworks
• high problem solving and analytical ability

Affective traits:

• zany sense of humor
• unusual emotional intensity
• perfectionist
• early development of an inner locus of control
• leadership ability
• very sensitive to oneself, others and the surroundings
• like to compare their accomplishments with other classmates
• like to make friends with older and mature persons

Creative traits:

• high energy level
• high aesthetic sense
• risk taking
• imaginative and always day dreaming
• good at divergent thinking
• like to work independently
• flexible, willing to explore new ways to solve problems

While some gifted students have attained high levels of cognitive development, this does not necessarily imply similar levels of development in the emotional, mental or social aspects; and vice versa.

Moreover, these characteristics may not be necessarily manifested in a positive way. For example, in cognitive traits, gifted students require advanced subject knowledge. If the learning content is too simple, they will lose learning motivation in the long term. In affective traits, their sense of humour may sound sarcastic to others; students with high energy levels may be disruptive in lessons. In such cases, the gifted individuals are obviously displaying difficulties in adjusting to the environment and timely support would be needed from their teachers and parents.

This Compendium showcases lesson examples in deploying differentiated instruction and/ or infusing affective education to cater for the learning and affective needs of gifted students. Schools are encouraged to make reference to and adapt the examples in designing whole-class teaching or pull-out programmes so as to unleash the potential of their gifted students.