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Is Your Child An Old Soul Or Gifted? How To Tell The Difference

Do you have a young child who says things that make you think, how do they understand that at such a mature level? Or how would they know that; they have never done this before? Or a child who sits down at a piano at age 3 and plays a song they just heard by ear?

Old soul? Gifted? How do you tell the difference?

There are several signs that can indicate if a child is an old soul versus just being highly gifted. Here are some key differences:

Old Soul Characteristics

Young girl wondering.
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Here are some characteristics of “old souls”:

Curiosity and Introspection

Curious child.
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Old soul children often display intense curiosity and a desire to understand the world around them. They ask deep questions and seek answers that go beyond simple explanations.

Reading and Knowledge

Smart kid.
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They find comfort in reading and have a deep understanding of complex topics beyond their age.

Empathy and Sensitivity

compassionate empathetic child.
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Old souls are highly empathetic and sensitive to the emotions of others. They often have a strong connection to the natural world and prefer spending time alone to recharge.

Maturity and Wisdom

Mature happy child.
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They exhibit wisdom and maturity beyond their years, often displaying a deep understanding of life’s complexities.

Unusual Interests

Child reading.
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Old souls may have unique interests that are not typical for their age, such as a fascination with history, philosophy, or spirituality.

Highly Gifted Characteristics

Child in therapy.
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On the other hand, here are characteristics of highly gifted children.

Academic Excellence

smart child.
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Highly gifted children often excel academically, demonstrating exceptional abilities in specific subjects like math, reading, or science.

Quick Learning

Smart kids.
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They learn quickly and easily, often grasping concepts several grade levels above their age.

Creativity and Imagination

Kids imagination.
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Gifted children often display exceptional creativity and imagination, particularly in areas like art, music, or writing.

Advanced Reasoning

Smart happy child.
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They possess advanced reasoning skills, able to rationalize and argue effectively, even at a young age.

High Energy

happy active kid.
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Gifted children can be described as “intense” and have high energy levels, which can sometimes lead to anxiety or stress.

Key Differences

whispering secrets.
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Here are main differences between old-souls and gifted children.

Depth of Understanding

smart child and mom.
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Old souls tend to have a deeper, more spiritual understanding of the world, while highly gifted children excel in specific academic areas.

Maturity and Empathy

smart child.
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Old souls often exhibit more maturity and empathy, while highly gifted children may focus more on their intellectual pursuits.

Interests and Talents

smart child.
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Old souls may have unique interests and talents that are not necessarily academic, while highly gifted children often excel in traditional subjects.

The Takeaway

smart child. Playing chess.
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By recognizing these differences, parents can better understand and support their child’s unique abilities and needs.

From Self-Centered To Self-Aware: Parental Strategies To Curb Narcissism

Child wearing crown. Entitled young girl.
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For all parents, a paramount concern is ensuring the healthy emotional development of our children. In recent studies, the topic of narcissism among children has gained significant attention. As parents, it’s crucial to understand the underlying dynamics that may contribute to the development of narcissistic traits in our children, and how we can proactively prevent such tendencies from taking root. 

Drawing from the insights of experts like Cody Isabel, a neuroscientist and parenting coach, we can learn about the intricacies of parental influence on narcissism and effective preventive measures.

READ: From Self-Centered To Self-Aware: Parental Strategies To Curb Narcissism

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Author

  • Dede Wilson

    Dédé Wilson is a journalist with over 17 cookbooks to her name and is the co-founder and managing partner of the digital media partnership Shift Works Partners LLC, currently publishing through two online media brands, FODMAP Everyday® and The Queen Zone.

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