Many parents wonder how their children compare to other children.

They may have very good reasons to suspect a child is gifted (for example, their 5-year-old is adding pupils and eyelashes to her drawings of people or their 3-year-old can read an "Exit" sign), but they're not sure how to prove or disprove it. Proof about giftedness can be critical, because it helps parents to provide more opportunities for their kids' increased growth, enjoyment and success in areas of interest.

There are certain childhood behaviors – milestones – that can tell us when children are ahead of or behind others their age. Most of the charts on childhood development show the typical range of behaviors for each age group. If your child is ahead of those tables, that doesn't necessarily mean he is on the fast track or slated to become the next Doogie Howser, M.D. Levels of giftedness range from those who are simply bright to those who are intellectually astonishing.

Here's an overview of the various levels of giftedness and milestones that are common – but not necessary – to each level. Here, also, are the numbers at each level of giftedness that you are likely to find in an average elementary classroom of 28 children. It is the overall "feel" of where the child fits that tells you the level.

LEVEL 1

These children show interest in many things before they are even 2-year- olds, like colors, saying the numbers in order and playing simple puzzles.
Good talkers by age 3, and by 4, many print letters and numbers, recognize simple signs, their name and know most of alphabet.
By the time they are 6-years-old, many read beginner books and type at the computer, and most read chapter books by age 7.
It is not unusual to find six to eight level one children in an average class room – children who are nearly always a few steps ahead of what the teacher is teaching the whole class.

LEVEL 2

• These children love looking at books and being read to, even turning pages without ripping them by 15 months. Some shout out the name of familiar stores as you drive past.
• Many of these children know lots of letters by 18 months and colors by 20 months, and between ages 3 and 4, they count small groups of objects, print some letters and numbers, and they drive their parents crazy with all their questions.
• They'll sit for what seems like hours as you read advanced level books, especially fiction and fantasy, but they require a bit less of your time by age 6, because most of them read for pleasure and information on their own by then.
• Level two children can find only one or two others in their classroom who are as advanced as they are, which starts to make it hard to find good friends.

LEVEL 3

• They're born wide-eyed and alert, looking around the room, reacting to noises, voices, faces.
• They know what adults are telling or asking them by 6 months. You say a toy, pet, or another person, and they will look for it.
• Everything level two children do by 15 months, these kids do by 10 to 12 months, and they can get family members to do what they want before they are actually talking.
• By 2-years-old, many like 35-plus piece puzzles, memorize favorite books, and know the entire alphabet – in or out of order!
• By 3-years-old, they talk constantly, and skip count, count backwards and do simple adding and subtracting because they like to. They love to print letters and numbers, too.
• They ask you to start easy readers before 5 years, and many figure out how to multiply, divide, and do some fractions by six years.
• Most of these children are a full two to five years beyond grade level by age 6 and find school too slow.
• There are one or two level three children in every 100 in the average school. They are rarely in the same elementary class and can feel very, very lonely.

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