Think your child is not gifted? Think again. Giftedness is an often-misunderstood concept, and most people equate giftedness with academic achievement. But, according to the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC), gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude (defined as an exceptional ability to reason and learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top 10% or rarer) in one or more domains. In other words, giftedness is “a complex and multifaceted concept that can manifest in various ways” ([1]).  

In this post, we'll explore the different intelligence domains, helping you better understand and support your child's unique strengths. Authoritative academic sources (see, e.g., Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences [2]) recognize as many as nine types of intelligence. More generally, the intelligence domains can include intellectual intelligence, creative intelligence, emotional/social intelligence, kinesthetic intelligence, and spatial intelligence. In this blog post, Gardner’s nine intelligence types are consolidated for clarity and cohesion.

A rough probability analysis makes it clear that, assuming the intelligence domains are independent, if a probability of not being gifted in a particular domain is 0.9, then the probability of not being gifted in any of the five domains is 0.9*5, or 59%. That means (at least in the perfect world where all children have equal access to skill development resources) that four in ten (or two in five) children can be top performers in at least one of the five intelligence domains. That’s a high number!

In reality, because intelligence domains are not fully independent and because no measure of aptitude or competence is perfect, the math is a bit more complex: for instance, one study analyzed several definitions and numerical cutoffs for giftedness and found that differing definitions and identification methods significantly impact the percentage of students identified as gifted, ranging from 1.4% to 37.4% [3].

The bottom line: giftedness has many faces. Let’s explore some of them.

Intellectual Giftedness (e.g., Gardner’s logical/mathematical, naturalist, spiritual/existential intelligence)

Intellectual giftedness is perhaps the most recognized form of giftedness. Children with intellectual giftedness typically excel in academic settings, demonstrating advanced reasoning, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Intellectually gifted children often grasp complex concepts quickly and may exhibit a strong desire to learn.

Creative Giftedness (e.g., Gardner’s linguistic, musical intelligence)

Creative giftedness is characterized by innovative thinking, imagination, and/or artistic expression. The term can also refer to exceptional abilities in generating ideas, products, or solutions through various forms of expression, including art, music, writing, or problem-solving. Characteristics of creative thinkers can include openness, inventiveness, distractibility, intuition, and individualism [4].

Social-Emotional Giftedness (e.g., Gardner’s intra-, inter-personal intelligence)

Some gifted children possess exceptional emotional intelligence and/or social skills. Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict [5]. Gifted children with high emotional intelligence may demonstrate empathy, leadership abilities, and a deep understanding of human relationships.

Kinesthetic Giftedness

Kinesthetic giftedness is characterized by exceptional physical coordination, balance, and movement [6].

Spatial Giftedness

Spatial giftedness involves the ability to visualize and manipulate objects in space.  Recognizing spatial intelligence can improve outcomes in STEM education, enhance problem-solving skills, foster creativity, and support diverse learning styles [7].

Helping your Child Discover Unique Strengths

Understanding the various intelligence domains is crucial in providing effective support for your child. Parents should consider providing ample opportunities for children to practice skills in different intelligence domains and closely observe outcomes to identify areas where their children are passionate explorers and/or strong performers. Examples of steps parents can take include:

• Providing opportunities for exploration and discovery
• Encouraging creative outlets and artistic expression
• Fostering emotional intelligence through socialization and empathy-building activities
• Collaborating with educators to develop tailored learning plans
• Celebrating your child's unique strengths and accomplishments

Conclusion

Giftedness is a multifaceted concept that encompasses a wide range of abilities and talents. By recognizing and embracing the various modalities of giftedness, you can better support your child’s unique needs and help them thrive.

References

[1] National Association for Gifted Children. (n.d.). What is Giftedness? Retrieved from https://nagc.org/page/what-is-giftedness.

[2] Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books.

[3] McBee, M. T. (2019). The Quantitative Implications of Definitions of Giftedness. Gifted Child Quarterly, 63(2), 93-109. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2332858419831007. 

[4] Shenfield, T. What is Creative Giftedness, and How Can Creativity Be Nurtured in Gifted Children? (2021). Retrieved from https://www.psy-ed.com/wpblog/what-is-creative-giftedness-and-how-can-creativity-be-nurtured-in-gifted-children/.

[5] Segal, J. What is emotional intelligence (EQ)? (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/emotional-intelligence-eq.

[6] Gardner, ibid.

[7] Scientific American. (2010). Recognizing spatial intelligence. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/recognizing-spatial-intel/.