Most parents do not know if their child is gifted, normal or dull. To know them requires a number of tests which can only be handled by experts. The measure device is intelligence tests. But sometimes intelligence tests do not accurately measure a child’s intelligence. Because foreign tests are based upon their culture and as such they are not useful for our children. Some tests have been adapted to Indian culture. The test for children of Karnataka, or Andhra may not be suitable for Odia children. The tests which are developed on our own culture can be of some use to our children.

Classification                          I.Q.              Percentage in population

Near genius or genius    140 and above       0.25

Very superior                         130-139              0.75

Superior                                 120-129              6.00

Above average                      110-119             13.00

Normal or average                 90-109              60.00

Below average                        80-89               13.00

Dull                                           70-79                 6.00

Moron, Feebleminded           50-69                 0.75

Imbecile, Idiot                    49 and below         0.25

Nearly all parents are not psychologists or education experts who can use intelligence tests for their children. Roughly the measure of intelligence test is interpreted in I.Q’s (Intelligence Quotient). If a child’s I.Q. is 100, then he is normal. If more than 100 he is gifted; if less than 100 he is below normal. For general information about I.Q. the following I.Q chart is given:-

From the above table it is evident that below average children and above genius children are less in number and average children are more in number. Any conscious parents can get their child’s I.Q. tested by the counseling export or by a psychologist.

But, for general information the following characteristic observed in children can roughly tell their giftedness. They are:

1. The child is generally higher than his age mates.

2. Has more strength than his age mates.

3. In infancy, walks earlier than his age-mates.

4. Speaks earlier than his age-mates.

When he goes to schools:

1. He learns quickly than others.

2. Remembers quickly and for a long time.

3. Speaks better than others.

4. Reads clearly than others.

5. Acquires learning ability more quickly than others.

6. Has greater vocabulary than others.

7. Has thinking ability more than the others.

8. Has more knowledge than others.

9. Discriminates easily between similar and dissimilar objects.

10. Solves difficult mathematical problems easily.

11. Having a habit of asking many questions to the teachers in the class.

12. Has a keen power of observation.

13. In very early stage shows interest in music or drawing pictures.

14. Very keen to know cause and effect relationship between things.

The above characteristics are just observations on gifted children. But there are many gifted children who do not show these characteristics. So parents may see if some of these characteristics are with their children at least they may assume that their children are gifted.