Learning Characteristics

SOME LEARNING CHARACTERISTICS OF GIFTED CHILDREN

By May V. Seagoe

Characteristics

Concomitant Problems

1.Keen power of observation; naive receptivity; sense of the significant; willingness to examine the unusual.

1.Possible gullibility; social rejection; value system and its defense.

2.Power of abstraction, conceptualization, synthesis; interest in inductive learning and problem solving; pleasure in intellectual activity.

2.Occasional resistance to direction; rejection or omission of detail

3.Interest in cause-effect relations; ability to see relationships; interest in applying concepts; love of truth.

3.Difficulty in accepting the illogical

4.Liking for structure and order, liking for consistency, as in value systems, number systems, clocks, calendars.

4.Invention of own systems, sometimes conflicting

5.Retentiveness.

5.Dislike for routine and drill; need for early mastery of foundation skills

6.Verbal proficiency, large vocabulary; facility in expression; interest in reading; breadth of information in advanced areas.

6.Need for specialized reading vocabulary; early parent resistance to reading, escape into verbalism

7.Questioning attitude, intellectual curiosity; inquisitive mind, intrinsic motivation.

7.Lack of early home or school stimulation

8.Power of critical thinking; skepticism, evaluative testing; self-criticism and self-checking.

8.Critical attitude towards others; discouragement from self-criticism

9.Creativeness and inventiveness; liking for new ways of doing things; interest in creating, brain-storming, free-wheeling.

9.Rejection of the known, need to invent for oneself

10.Power of concentration; intense attention that excludes all else; long attention span.

11. Persistent: Goal-directed behavior

10.Resistance to interruption

11. Stubbornness

12.Sensitivity, intuitiveness, empathy for others; need for emotional support and a sympathetic attitude; ego-involvement; need for courage

12.Need for success and recognition; sensitivity to criticism; vulnerability to peer group rejection.

13.High energy, alertness, eagerness; periods of intense voluntary effort preceding invention

13.Frustration with inactivity and absence of progress

14.Independencein work and study; preference for individualized work; self-reliance, need for freedom of movement and action; need to live with loneliness

14.Parent and peer group pressures and non-conformity; problems of rejection and rebellion