Challenged by my son's brain

[onthefly]

DS has always been very interested in the world around him and how everything works - millions of questions and non-stop chatter and play, etc. But in the past few weeks he's really gone into hyperdrive. He's asking much 'bigger' questions, and everyday inventing some new machine, or drawing up plans or maps, or building something.... So now I'm wondering if I need to offer him some new stimuli. He is pretty good at amusing himself, but I just sense that he needs more right now. I wish he could read!
Anyway, I don't like to direct his activities and in any case he likes to do his own thing, but he's frustrated and angry a lot, too. School has been keeping him entertained a few days a week, but more recently he's been talking about how he's looking forward to pre-primary next year as they'll have different things to do (he's bored with kindy, I think).

He's not into sports, really. He needs a science geek club for 4 year olds. Do such things exist? My mum suggested there might be a gap in the market for me to start a business. HA!

[LimeSlice]

Sorry, am FAKing...

Scitech?

[onthefly]

yeah, I thought I might try taking him there some time. It's quite a hike from here, unfortunately, though the train ride is always fun.

[Epacris]

Is he into Lego yet? I just think Lego is so brilliant because you can follow the instructions if you want OR do imaginative free building stuff too.

[onthefly]

yeah, he has lego and enjoys it. Does not follow the instructions! (which are all lost anyway, along with many of the fiddly little bits)

[LimeSlice]

Would he have a go at model aeroplane building? Basic circuitry or Meccano - there are some pretty coo ones these days.
He sounds like he may have the aptitude for it, and the processes and structure may appeal to him if he likes invention and design....

Have you maybe considered have him assessed for giftedness?

[LuluHB]

Have you seen the ABC Reading Eggs program? My kids do it through school - light intro in kindy and then they get stuck into it in pre-primary. Might be something else to stimulate/challenge him.

I get truly baffled by some of the questions the girls ask me. The educational toy stores also have great games that are fun, but more stimulating than just the normal trouble, bingo etc

[Frangipani Lou]

Your DS sounds like a really switched on child :-) the kind of child I'd always enjoy having in my kindergarten :-)
In Melbourne we have a place that recycles office and manufacturing off cuts and bits and pieces. Everything from electrical cable to timber and containers. It's called 'reverse art truck' and the other place is 'resource rescue'.
I wonder if there is something like that near you?? I think resource rescue delivers. Some tips also recycle bits and pieces and could be another option.
Giving him lots of bits and pieces would continue to challenge his creative inventive brain and is unstructured enough not to put him off. Frustration is a normal part of some children's learning.
There are some great factual books around that would also feed his enquiring mind but I can't thing of the name of them! If I do I'll come back and add the info.

[loulabelle]

Your DS sounds like a really switched on child :-) the kind of child I'd always enjoy having in my kindergarten :-)
In Melbourne we have a place that recycles office and manufacturing off cuts and bits and pieces. Everything from electrical cable to timber and containers. It's called 'reverse art truck' and the other place is 'resource rescue'.
I wonder if there is something like that near you?? I think resource rescue delivers. Some tips also recycle bits and pieces and could be another option.
Giving him lots of bits and pieces would continue to challenge his creative inventive brain and is unstructured enough not to put him off. Frustration is a normal part of some children's learning.
There are some great factual books around that would also feed his enquiring mind but I can't thing of the name of them! If I do I'll come back and add the info.

REmida is Perth's version of this.

[onthefly]

oh yes, he always gets non-fiction books from the library these days. And he loves drawing maps and plans.
While he has a blossoming interest in reading and writing, he wouldn't be interested in doing set activities like that. The emphasis on learning the alphabet & sounds and writing practice at kindy are the things he complains about most. He enjoys play writing and drawing on his own terms. He isn't able to replicate what he sees, yet, though, which is a source of frustration for him and I think the reason he only ever scribbled till he started at kindy. We do do math, as that fits in with everyday life a little easier. He can do basic addition and subtraction but hasn't shown much interest in doing anything more than that. Will see.

I like the sound of that remida thing! I shall look into it.
He learnt to use a phillips head screw driver quite some time ago. For a while I kept finding screws all over the place and he tried to take apart a few of his toys to see how they worked. He promised to put tem back together - but being 2.5 he didn't do a very good job of it

[MantaRay]

You'll probably find he hates repetition. Letting him work on things he's interested in at his own pace is a good idea. You're doing a great job.

Art, it has been discussed before but hasn't gone ahead for various reasons. There are various forums around the country that are dedicated to parents of gifted kids so they are probably a better bet. I have the link to a good one in Qld if you are interested.

[onthefly]

You'll probably find he hates repetition. Letting him work on things he's interested in at his own pace is a good idea.

Yes, he does. And yes, there's no other way with my son!

[Epacris]

Oh yes, FrangipaniLou and Artechim, great idea. Get some small electrical items, preferably already broken, like toasters, kettles, video players, old computer equipment, that sort of thing, cut the plug off so he’s not tempted to plug them in, give him a set or screwdrivers and some pliers and just let him take them apart. Hours of fun!