Copyright 2016 Theresa Harvard Johnson
Here are some signs that your child may be a scribe. This list is based on years of study surrounding scribal ministry, life as a parent and working with parents who have children. If your child exhibits more than twenty-five of these signs and operates in them consistently and often, then they are probably called to some area of The Scribal Anointing®. If we can recognize these signs NOW, we can begin to nurture and strengthen them. Who knows, your child might someday recognize the scribe in them! (I strongly recommend the book, “12 Keys to Developing the Creative Prophetic Scribal Gift in Children”)
1. They like to read all the time.
2. They ask to go to the library or bookstore weekly.
3. They love word games.
4. They love crossword puzzles.
5. They investigate everything.
6. They ask endless questions and never grow out of it.
7. They pay attention to detail and can rehearse it via memory.
8. They recount events verbatim.
9. They love worksheets.
10. They love notebooks.
11. They constantly take notes.
12. They correct others when certain words are mispronounced.
13. They obsess over their own penmanship style.
14. They like writing with specific writing instruments.
15. Words always manage to be in their artwork.
16. They look for an audience to tell their imaginative stories too.
17. They love making up stories.
18. They never outgrow telling jokes.
19. They love giving long, exaggerated explanations of things.
20. They are deep things.
21. Instead of sharing their feelings verbally, they leave letters, write stories or put them in songs, raps.
22. They spend a great deal of time alone writing.
23. They travel everywhere with a notebook and pen.
24. They are very educated and versed in specific subjects beyond their age.
25. They actually like school and become extremely upset if they can’t go or arrive late.
26. They have a passion for acting, drama or theatre.
27. They live in their own imaginative world and have no problem being the odd man out.
28. They like hanging around intelligent adults.
29. They are already thinking about college but are only in middle school.
30. They love teaching others how to do things (a little OCD about it).
31. They are protective of writings, videos, books, etc. that contain knowledge. Get really upset about these things if taken away.)
32. They collect specific “kinds” books or writings.
33. They would rather write, read, or go to school than go to the mall.
34. They hang around other kids who enjoy writing, poetry, and drama.
35. They obsess over their unique style of dress.
36. They may become enamored by certain words, phrases, or ideas.
37. They like movies, cartoons, etc. where kids solve mysteries and keep written diaries, blogs, or vlogs.
38. They talk to themselves often in different voices and are not crazy. (Can give clues about interests in theatre, film.)
39. They enjoy doodling – more than normal.
40. They create comic book characters, storylines, and draw out the scenes.
41. They only write with a certain color ink or type of pen.
42. They love collecting markers, pens, pencils, crayons, and other creative writing instruments.
43. Their rooms may be a mess, but there is a strange “order” to their writing area, desk, writing case or supply boxes.
44. They are up late at night reading and writing while others are playing games on the iPad or hanging out on the phone.
45. They interrupt grown people conversations – not out of rudeness, but sheer curiosity to understand. They ask lots of questions about what they heard.
46. They love Internet research and exploration.
47. They watch “How To” videos and “How Things Work” videos on the internet.
48. They have certain types of paper they prefer to write on or create with.
49. Every single notebook they own has been redesigned and formulated to their unique identity.
50. They have their own signature or seal for everything they complete.
51. They are extremely sensitive about their creativity.
52. They guard their scribal projects and writing from prying eyes.
53. They are very particular about WHO they share their scribal work with… including their book and reading choices.
54. They have healthy and strong imaginations.
55. They may spend a great deal of time daydreaming.
56. They may be fascinated with history or certain historical events.
57. They may talk excessively because they have a lot to say.
58. They will turn a word game, like word search, into a race to see who finishes first.
59. They enjoy games like Pictionary, Taboo, Trivial Pursuit, Clue or other similar games.
60. When their parents go shopping, they go straight to the school supply or pen aisle.
61. They take their time picking out book covers, book protectors, book bags, pencil cases, etc.
62. They sniff markers and papers; like some people sniff wine. (Not as in huffing! I would never, ever promote that. ONLY SCRIBES could understand this. Seriously. Some scribes who are writers loved it so much that they began creating scented pens and markers! Yes, seriously. Go look it up.)
63. They collect stray pens — working and non-working. No pen is safe in their presence.
64. They like rummaging through bags and boxes of ink pens just looking and choosing.
65. They like feeling or rubbing the texture of paper! (SO COMMON, NOT WEIRD!!!)
Also check out this article, “Don’t Destroy The Scribal Gift In Children.”
