What is Giftedness?

Everyone knows what a gifted child is, right? According to the image often portrayed in popular media, this is the child who's smarter than all the others, and even causes adults to feel somehow inadequate. But is there more to giftedness than this?

High academic achievement, as demonstrated by test scores and report card grades, is frequently the measure of giftedness. But what about the child who doesn't score high by those standards, but whose expansive vocabulary and verbal dexterity indicate above average ability - is this child gifted? And the one whose standardized scores are mediocre, yet he composes his own music and performs it movingly - is this child gifted?

Clearly, the definition of giftedness encompasses more than test-taking ability. Considered the leading expert in the field, and the one to coin the term "multiple intelligences," Howard Gardner put forth the theory that rather than being general, intelligence is actually rather specific. Very much in keeping with theories put forth by Louis Thurston earlier in the 20^th century, Gardner went on to categorize intelligence in seven ways. Children (and adults) who demonstrate marked ability in one of these domains are often gifted.

Gardner's Seven Intelligences and Children's Abilities

Verbal-linguistic intelligence refers to a command of language. Engulfing speaking (and adeptness at learning languages) as well as writing, children with this intelligence show a propensity for creative writing, poetry and public speaking. Moreover, they can "hold their own" in conversations with people far beyond their years, arguing their point quite eloquently.

Manifested in a high level of mathematical ability, logical-mathematical intelligence is also reflected in analytical and investigative endeavors. Children with this intelligence tend to be highly inquisitive, have a love not only for math but also for scientific experiments and discoveries, and have excellent reasoning skills.

Musical intelligence obviously entails an affinity for music. However, children with this intelligence have the capacity to read and compose music and lyrics, as well as to perform music exceptionally well instrumentally and/or vocally.

In bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, the body is the means by which children demonstrate their talents. Essentially a mating of intellect and mobility, children who hold this intelligence are well-coordinated, expressing talent in athletics, dance, acrobatics, etc. Children with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence also tend to learn better via action than by auditory or visual means.

Sometimes working in conjunction with logical-mathematical intelligence, spatial intelligence involves a facility with recognizing and visualizing the use of space. More difficult to discern, this intelligence is often seen in children whose artistry is reflected in painting or a knack for building or designing. An excellent sense of direction is an additional indicator of spatial intelligence.

Interpersonal intelligence and intrapersonal intelligence are the final two categories. Evidencing compassion and empathy, children with interpersonal intelligence work very well with others. Good listeners, they often play the role of mediator in conflicts. On the other hand, born of self-assessment and a willingness to exercise self-restraint, intrapersonal intelligence is the intellectual capacity to look within and understand oneself.

The Takeaway

Although Gardner's is not the only theory that views intelligence beyond the general - psychologist Robert Sternberg offers a triarchic theory that categorizes intelligences as practical, analytical or creative - it is the most far reaching.

The point of knowing the domain in which a child shows aptitude is to enable parents and teachers to offer support that enhances that ability. Although not every child who displays aptitude in one of these seven areas belongs in a class for gifted children, this knowledge affords each of them the opportunity to develop and use their gifts and talents.

Sources: http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/L._L._Thurstone

http://academics.tjhsst.edu/psych/oldPsych/sternberg/