It is possible to tell if a child is gifted at very young ages, sometimes as young as infancy. Signs of giftedness in infants include need for less sleep and unusual alertness. Some studies suggest that the need for stimulation can be seen in gifted babies.
Giftedness can also be seen in toddlers. Characteristics of young gifted children include high energy levels and intense curiosity. Gifted children also tend to reach developmental milestones earlier than other children.
That means they may be walking and talking earlier than other children. However, not all gifted children reach all milestones early. In fact, sometimes they may appear to be behind. For example, some gifted children don’t begin talking until after they turn two.