Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about giftedness in early childhood
Why is it important to identify the unique abilities of children at an early age?
Giftedness is influenced by various factors and is defined in terms of the interaction between the individual’s characteristics and his or her environment. The development and evolution of outstanding achievement potential is also influenced by learning processes. The development of very young children is particularly very dependent on the specific environmental conditions, learning opportunities, and stimuli with which they grow up. This is why it is important to observe children from an early age, focusing on their strengths and providing them with a variety of opportunities to try out new things in many different areas. This allows children to discover their “passions” and adult caregivers to support the unique strengths of the children in their development by providing them with specific opportunities for learning.
Early childhood education plays an important role in two ways: it can help to identify and effectively promote children’s abilities and, if necessary, it can compensate foradverse effects related to the children’s backgrounds. Focusing on the individual resources of each child helps Kitas to recognize and promote the potential and abilities of all children, regardless of their gender and background. Therefore, the observation and documentation of children’s development should not only include possible developmental delays, but also identify the children’s unique strengths and talents. Quality pedagogical activities that foster these strengths as well as the children’s own interests and enthusiasm, create the basis for their appreciation of their own abilities, high intrinsic motivation to learn, and ultimately for the development of their own unique potential for achievement.