Hello,
I have a few questions and I hope that someone can help me. I have a 2 year old daughter, she attends creche two days a week and the carers there are always going on about how clever she is. She is extremely talkative and has a huge vocabulary and an excellent memory. It seems that everyone (health nurse, GP, people we don't even know who we see at the shops) comment on her abilities and are surprised that she is so advanced for her age. I work full time and she stays with her nanna on the other 3days that she is not at creche. I am wondering if at this age I should be trying to provide her with something more to further extend her or whether I should just wait and see how things pan out when she is older?
I am just concerned that she may not be challenged enough, are there tests they can do at this age to see if a child is gifted? Don't get me wrong I am not at all pushy I just want her to be happy and healthy, I just want to make sure that I do the right thing by her academically.
Thanks
I have a gf who's daughter is gifted (she has seen a child psychologist and gone through all the rigorous testing). One thing I will say though is that a gifted child is different from that of a child prodigy, which is what most of society thinks of when they think of a gifted child. Gifted children often learn differently and with the right nurturing and environment they can go on to achieve whatever they set their little hearts too. Honestly I would suggest waiting a few years and seeing a child psychologist before she starts school if you are still concerned. For the moment find her loves and nurture them, give her things that she finds interesting to do that challenge her. Like for example if she loves puzzles, words, art, maths, science etc. Most importantly try not to focus on the academics too much but just have fun with it, at this age its still about fun - even with a gifted child.
Cadence, my first DS is just like that too. We have gone with the flow so far - not pushing him, but allowing him to take the lead in things. He was able to read all the letters of the alphabet and a few words by the time DS2 was born when DS1 was 19 months. But not because we overly encouraged it, we just answered when he pointed to a letter and asked "what's this?".
Just like your DD, my DS has been doing day care 3 days a week and grandparents 2 days a week while I work ft. It has worked really well, as he gets lots of stimulation. But now, as he is approaching his last weeks before starting proper kindergarten next year, it is showing that he is getting bored. In the past when he got bored they moved him up a room, but now he's already in the oldest room there is nowhere to go.
I am hoping that he will do well at kindergarten, but I am a bit concerned about schooling choices. He is reading lots and lots now, and does maths in his head all the time - every situation he finds himself in he will count, add, subtract and is now starting to multiply. The day care has a carer who is trained in special education, and she tells me that the reason he doesn't mix well with kids his own age is that he at a prep level and he would get along really well with a group of prep kids. Trouble is, that's a whole year away.
So now, we are on the list to have him assessed. Not because I want to push him or label him. But because I think it's going to be important for choosing a school and also for deciding down the track if we should try for him to skip a grade etc.
My advice to you is to wait it out right now, but keep an eye on things. If she is showing the same signs when she's 4 or so, they can be assessed at that age. But you might need to book in quite a bit in advance, so maybe look into it at 3 1/2 or so. GL hun.
As a teacher I would advise you to let her go at her own pace and not push. I have seen plenty of children who are burnt out before the middle of high school by over ambitious parents (not saying you are) Children sometimes progress quickly then plateau so she may be an early developer too.
Very similar to Mel's example, Olivia is a bright spark.
We have an eye on her, and the only additional activity she does is art lessons (she has a natural knack). She IS bored at kindy, but thankfully her behaviour is good, the kindy is small, and they take the time with her to give her a stretch task.
Similar to Mel, we have not pushed her in any way, but we have picked her primary school carefully, with advice from the kindy director. It is a normal state primary school but if offers a SHIP (Students with High Intellectual Potential) focus.
At 2, BTW, Olivia was barely walking, but talking like a 7 year old, and drawing like a 5 year old. Reading by 3. But I am not sure she is "gifted" as such, but just a bright spark. But happy to encourage her.
Hello,
Thank you all for your advice. It is all appreciated. I think that I will let her continue to do what she is doing and answer her questions and encourage her when she asks. Other than that I will see what happens when she is older and if she is not being stimulated enough then I will address it then.
Thanks again for sharing your stories of your own gifted/ clever children!
Gifted children?
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