Test your child's vocabulary. Gifted children often start talking early. While children developing normally might say their first words around their first birthday, a gifted child may begin speaking at around six to nine months. Being able to speak early is an indication that your child has sufficient control of her mouth, lips and tongue to allow her to make the sounds that form words. Early speakers tend to grasp vocabulary easily. If your preschooler is advanced, she will be able to communicate her thoughts and feelings. For example, she will be able to tell you whether she is sad or happy. The best way to test your child's vocabulary is by asking her how she feels. Being able to express how she feels will also exhibit her complex thinking ability.
Speak with your child's preschool teacher to find out whether the school has an affiliation with any mental health professionals who specialize in working with and testing gifted children. If your child is not in preschool or the school is not receptive to your requests, speak with your pediatrician. The pediatrician may be able to refer you to a child psychologist who works with preschoolers and tests giftedness. If you receive a physician's referral, testing may be covered by your insurance.
Have your child's IQ tested. Children as young as 3 can effectively be given IQ tests. It was once believed that children with IQs over 130 were gifted; the range for average intelligence is between 85 and 115.
Track developmental milestones -- age-specific tasks and functional skills that most children can do at a certain age. Pediatricians track and monitor these milestones, but you should be tracking them as well. When you take your child in for a checkup, you should be able to tell the doctor what milestones have been met since the last visit. You can check your child's movement milestones by playing ball. If he is able to kick a ball, throw a ball or catch a ball most of the time, he more than likely has exceeded milestones for movement. Development of hand and finger skills may also be an indication of giftedness. You can test your child by observing whether he can use scissors and draw shapes.