Identification
Identification occurs throughout the year. The 3D: Dream, Dare, Discover programming decisions are made based on the following criteria:

• Standardized test scores
• Developmental information
• Specific subject assessments

Students may be referred to the 3D program by teachers or parents. While it is not required, it is often a good idea for parents to discuss their child's performance with their teacher before submitting a referral. Parents may pick up a referral form from the Whitnall GT office (Whitnall Middle School room 201) or by contacting one of the GT consultants. After completing the form, please return to the GT office. Parents may also call or e-mail the 3D specialists before submitting the form.



Could My Child Be Gifted?
All Children learn and assimilate knowledge. Differing life experiences and development rates vary the pace and degree of learning that may be taking place at any one time. This makes identifying "giftedness" in young children difficult. But we do know that there are some children who consistently show signs of high learning potential. The following is a list of traits that are often exhibited by children with "high potential". Please remember that these are just guidelines. Not all children will show all of these traits at all times.

A Remarkable Memory - The child remembers events and details for long periods and can recreate events that took place even years earlier.

Gets There Faster - The child's brain seems to move faster than other children of the child's age.  (Sometimes even faster than yours.)  He can predict outcomes quickly and seems to get to "the punch line" sooner than anyone else.

Make Connections - The child can link events and information together.  May make analogies.

Uses Words in Different Ways - May create puns, or use multiple definitions of common words.

Understands the Abstract - The child seems to have a concept of abstract or more complex information, such as death or how the circulatory system works.

Figures It Out (Problem Solver) - The child is inventive.  He/she often finds creative solutions to solve problems.

What Can A Parent Do?
The most important things parents can do for their gifted child are to love and care for them and to encourage the life-long habit of learning. Additionally parents can...

• Remember A Gifted Child is still a Child - the child still needs to make messes and be allowed to have the emotions and behaviors that are typical of children.
• Provide Balance - it's easy to concentrate on what a child does well, but it is equally important to provide experiences out of the cognitive domain.
• Model Responsibility - all children need to learn to accept responsibility, sometimes the gifted child is very good at figuring out how to get out of it. Help them become independent by modeling responsible behaviors.
• Be Supportive - children need to hear and see that parents and others appreciate and understand their efforts. A shower curtain on the floor can go along way in supporting early kitchen chemistry endeavors.
• Encourage Exploration - children can make new discoveries and learn more when all of their senses are involved. Let them physically explore an ever-growing environment.
• Allow Discovery - children learn easily from adult instruction, but they learn better when they figure it out themselves.
• Be Patient - and let good things happen!