Is your child gifted? Check out these signs of an academically talented kid

In South Carolina, students must meet at least two of these three requirements to be considered "gifted and talented":

• Students must demonstrate high aptitude (93 percentile or above) in verbal/linguistics, quantitative/mathematics, or nonverbal areas on standardized tests such as Measures of Academic Progress

•Students must demonstrate advanced level on Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests in either reading or math

•Students must demonstrate a high interest and commitment to academic pursuits. In grades 1-6, this is measured by standardized tests. In grades 7-12, students must have a GPA of 3.75 to 4.0

•In Lake Woebegon, "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average," says Garrison Keillor. What about your child? Is your little one "above average?" Here are some "gifted" traits to look for:

Infants

• Low tolerance for the familiar and a preference for novelty

• Might get fussy if facing one direction for too long

• Appears alert and needs less sleep

Toddlers

• Frequently reach "milestones," such as walking and first speech, earlier than average

• May speak late, but then speak in complete sentences

• Strong desire to explore, investigate and master the environment (opens up cabinets, takes things apart)

• Toys and games mastered early, then discarded

• Very active (but activity with a purpose, not to be confused with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)

• Can distinguish between reality and fantasy (questions about Santa or the tooth fairy come very early)

• Highly gifted toddlers may also show an intense interest in numbers or letters. These are often the children who start doing simple math or teach themselves to read by the time they are 3.

Source: http://giftedkids.about.com