Talented Children's Characteristics, More Than Just Academic Value

YOGYAKARTA - Talented children often seem to stand out in their environment. For some people, talent is synonymous with high academic achievements or almost perfect report cards. However, educators or researchers who are familiar with the talented world know that their differences far exceed the numbers on paper.

Talented children can be seen from their distinctive sense of humor, sharp questions, or their rejection of a boring learning routine.

Understanding the characteristics of talented children is not only important for educators and parents, but also helps children recognize their potential. This characteristic can be the basis for determining steps in education.

As mentioned above, talented children cannot be measured by academic achievements. There are talented children who appear on average, even below standards, in formal education systems it could be because their learning needs are not met.

Talent is usually identified by performing a combination of talent tests and direct observations of children's behavior. From there, there are a number of common characteristics that are often encountered in talented children. Reporting from Steppingstone School, here are 10 characteristics of talented children.

Talented children respond to life with greater emotions and enthusiasm than children in general. If they are interested in a field, that interest can develop into a positive obsession. For example, a child who likes horses will read all books about horses, draw horses, and even imitate the sound of horses.

They tend to recognize more alternative behavior or solutions, even those that are not offered directly to them. This tendency sometimes makes them argue frequently or question instructions, but actually shows the breadth of their perspective.

Once able to speak, talented children often engage in high-level and philosophical conversations. Therefore, they prefer to interact with adults or older children in order to find a commensurate intellectual speech partner.

They have a clear picture of being perfect and can be frustrated when the results don't match personal standards. This can make them reluctant to try new things for fear of failing.

Their curiosity is almost unlimited. They can ask questions in a row or do spontaneous experiments that make parents overwhelmed.

The director of elementary school, at The Roeper School at Bloomfield Hills Lorene Porter said that maybe you almost always see great curiosity in children, but not in older children. He is strongly reminded of the possibility that education is inadequate or in accordance with children's needs.

If they are interested in something, they will explore it thoroughly. The process of trying, dismantling, repairing, repairing, and starting again can be done repeatedly without being bored.

Talented children tend to have a unique perspective on the world. They are sensitive to injustice, easily understand other people's emotions, and sometimes show smart humor from an early age.

They quickly lose interest if they have to re-learn things that have been mastered. For example, children who can already read at the age of three will feel bored when studying the alphabet in kindergarten.

Talented children are able to remember the details of events or information with high precision. They even remember the experiences of childhood that most people usually forget.

Emotionally, they are more sensitive to themselves and others. Strong empathy is often seen in their response to sad stories or injustices they hear.

It is important to remember that not all talented children present all these characteristics. Having talent also doesn't mean they are better than other children, but shows how they process the world with different depths and intensities.