Early signs of giftedness include:

unusual alertness in infancy
less need for sleep in infancy
long attention span
high activity level
smiling or recognizing caretakers early
intense reactions to noise, pain, frustration
advanced progression through the developmental milestones
extraordinary memory
enjoyment and speed of learning
early and extensive language development
fascination with books
curiosity
excellent sense of humor
abstract reasoning and problem-solving skills
vivid imagination (e.g., imaginary companions)
sensitivity and compassion

If a child exhibits a majority of these characteristics, parents may wish to have the child assessed by an experienced examiner to find out if the child is gifted. Firstborn children tend to be recognized more often than their siblings. When one child in the family is gifted, it is quite possible that others may also be gifted. Early identification is recommended (ages 3 through 8) because it permits early intervention, as important for gifted as for any other children with special needs.