Fast starters: early predictors of cognitive giftedness in preschool children

To satisfy the needs of cognitively gifted children, it is important to get a timely perspective on their cognitive capacities. In this study we investigated the early predictors of high cognitive ability. In a longitudinal study among 4.131 children we predicted, based on information collected in kindergarten. which children would score among the top 10% in cognitive abilities in Grade 3. The results showed that, already in kindergarten, cognitively gifted children demonstrated an advanced scholarly development, in particular in the mathematical domain, as documented both by standardized tests and teacher evaluations. Cognitively gifted children also demonstrated more independent participation in class and a stronger task commitment. Second, the study considered which gifted students encountered academic problems throughout their school career. Some early indications of later problems were already observable in kindergarten, in particular in lower scores on math and language tests, in hyperactive or easily distractable behaviour and in student-teacher-conflicts.