Following are some core traits, aptitudes and behaviors of gifted kids:

Communication skills: Highly expressive with words, numbers or symbols. Has an unusual ability to communicate verbally, nonverbally, physically, artistically or symbolically; uses particularly apt examples, illustrations or elaborations.

Inquiry: Questions, experiments and explores. Asks unusual questions for his or her age. Plays around with ideas; extensive exploratory behaviors directed toward eliciting information about materials, devices or situations.

Insight: Quickly grasps new concepts. Senses deeper meanings. Has a sudden discovery of a correct solution following incorrect attempts based primarily on trial and error. Has an exceptional ability to draw inferences. Appears to be a good guesser. Is keenly observant.

Reasoning: Uses logical approaches to figuring out solutions. Has highly conscious, directed, controlled, active, intentional, forward-looking and goal-oriented thought. Has the ability to make generalizations and use metaphors and analogies. Can think things through in a logical manner. Is a critical thinker.

Imagination-creativity: Produces many ideas; is highly original. Solves problems through nontraditional patterns of thinking. Shows exceptional ingenuity in using everyday materials. Is keenly observant. Is highly curious.

Sources: Hawaii Department of Education and the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented.