Many children's gifts go unrecognized until later in life. This is such a disservice to our children. There are so many talents that may go undetected by conventional tests given by our current educational system, fostering frustration and depression and making school much less enjoyable for a child.

Although many students are recognized as gifted at the age of six through standard I.Q tests, countless children are aware of their hidden gifts and abilities. Many standardized tests just check for left-brained or analytical intelligence. Too many people grow into adults and are unaware that they are indeed gifted individuals.

Even though some children have an I.Q. in excess of 140, these same children are frustrated their entire childhood and even teen years. Why? Even though they are successful at academics, they yearn to tap into their other creative capabilities. It is so hard to witness others enjoying their talents, sitting idly by holding a straight A report card. Yes, envy is a cruel beast. Even top students need to recognize their gifts at an early age. Sometimes academics just isn't enough of a reward; we must dig still deeper.

No, not all children are born with a high IQ, but many children have a specific gift. Nearly everyone has a talent. Parents, many times, must recognize the talent themselves. Since schools focus on intellectual traits, many artistic gifts go unnoticed. Many people may be unaware that public schools now have gifted programs for many children that are talented in countless other areas. Yes, schools test for the normal areas of science, math, written expression, spelling, problem solving, spatial concepts, and verbal expression. Some of the newer areas that tests can be requested in are in the areas of art, music, dance, creative writing, athletic achievement, and other more right-brained gifts that include many kinesthetic (involving physical movement) talents.

Since this is new to many local school districts, many times a parent must initiate the first step in recognizing their child's abilities. In many cases, the parent must request testing in a specific area. The school psychologist is able to perform tests to determine giftedness in nearly any area.

In order to spot a gift, the child must be exposed to many different activities. Get feedback from your child's teacher about his or her progress in different classes. If the art teacher suggests art classes, enroll your son or daughter in a weekend art program. If your child is gifted, you can tell what he or she loves by the amount of time the child spends doing a particular activity. Make sure the child has ample materials for honing his or her craft. Buy many magazines books on this subject for her to peruse.

Often times, it is not hard to notice that a child has a particular gift, but other times the creativity or artistic ability lies dormant. It is up to parents to expose their children to many different things in an attempt to bring out these abilities. Sometimes it may be an art teacher, choir instructor, or English teacher that first recognizes the gift. This is why it is so important that we stay in close contact with our child's instructors. Many times a talent can lie hidden for many years. Don't let this happen to your child!

Once a proclivity for a certain activity is noted, a parent's job does not end there. Many times, we parents, we must push for the additional testing and class time with our child's school. Many times a child will receive additional art classes, music lessons, or other individualized instruction. Enrolling your child at the local museum's youth art program or other community activities not only enhances the child's appreciation for the arts, but it also gives the child an additional outlet for his or her creativity.

How do I know if my child has a gift or talent?

1. How old was your child when they began talking?
If the answer to this question is between the ages of five and ten months, your child may be gifted.
2. How old was your child when they used complete sentences?
If the answer is between the ages of eleven and sixteen months, your child may be gifted.
3. At what age did your child first draw recognizable pictures?
If the age is between twenty and twenty-six months, your child may be gifted. This can vary greatly. Check with the local Art Museum, College Art Department, or an art teacher in your area.
4. Has your child ever won an art, dance, writing, or music contest?
This may be his or her talent.
5. At what age was your child able to write his or her own name? This one is a little more difficult to determine, depending on the difficulty of the name. The age here varies, but your child may be gifted if it was before two or three years of age. Many times a giftedness in art, drama, dance, music, singing, cooking and other kinesthetic talents may not be recognized by these factors or other conventional tests. My other daughter Caitlin did not know this until she started choir. She learned her talent for baking and cooking when she won a regional cake-baking contest.

How do I know what my child's talent is?
These next questions will help you to pinpoint what their gifted area may be.

What is your child's favorite activity?
Does the child always do this in his or her their spare time?
Do they tire of it easily?
Are they particularly good at this activity?
Does the child ask for tools to help with this activity?
Have they received praise from people or awards for achievements in this activity?
Are they almost obsessed with this activity? You see a pronounced perfectionism emerge when they engage in this particular thing that they enjoy.
What area do standardized tests and instructors say is your child's best subject? These are probably the areas that your child has the most talent. Give them opportunities to develop that talent.
If the answer to these questions is multiple for any one given thing, your child may be gifted in that specific area. Start watching your child for signs of his or her gift. Many adults find out so late in life where their talent lies. Wouldn't it be wonderful to know at a very young age? I know that I wish I had known much earlier that I had talent as a writer. Think of all those poetry and fiction contests I missed as a kid!
Copyright Katherine West 2000-2001