This ERIC digest discusses strategies for recognizing and nurturing giftedness in young children in the regular classroom. It begins by describing giftedness and providing a list of characteristics common in gifted four-, five-, and six-year-olds. The use of portfolios for identifying giftedness is discussed, along with the benefits of consulting with parents. General principles of teaching young gifted children are then presented and include: (1) create a learning environment the invites inquiry, uses thematic instruction to connect content areas, makes a wide range of materials available, provides activity centers for self-initiated projects, has flexible seating arrangements, offers active, lesson-related activity options for students who finish work early, and provides opportunities for creative movement, mime, dance, and singing; (2) allow for flexible grouping; (3) provide variety; (4) offer choices to allow children to chose group mates and topics and assist in designing projects and their formats; (5) create ground rules; (6) evaluate students individually; (7) compact the curriculum; and (8) incorporate creative thinking. Teachers are urged to use tests, class assignments, observations, informal interviews, consultations with parents, and portfolios for ongoing assessment on how children are performing. (CR)