Gifted children?

[Cadence]

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

[Rouge]

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.

[MantaRay]

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.

[mrsmac]

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.

[Lucy]

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.

[Cadence]

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!

[Mumeee]

Everyone thinks their child is 'gifted" and these days you can even be "socially gifted", "spiritually gifted" and lets not forget "aethetically gifted!" which sounds like a crock really.

In my experience - 2 years old is not old enough to be even tested for advanced abilities in any area, unless they happen to sit down at a piano and compose their own masterpiece unassisted! Dont buy into the psychologists who offer tests for toddlers - it is a money making scheme.

High intelligence is a good thing in the right situation but it is only a very tiny part of the equation and with great intelligence comes a myriad of problems, it does not offer a path to success in life. Dont be too quick to label your child as "gifted" - you may find that it does more harm than good.

I only have one thing left to say -whatever you do dont ever tell your child they are "gifted" - I have known way too many precocious preteens who have dropped out of school at the end of primary education and refused to attend again because they think they have nothing left to learn as they are "gifted".

Ok rant over. Sorry but this is an issue very close to my heart.

[MantaRay]

High intelligence is a good thing in the right situation but it is only a very tiny part of the equation and with great intelligence comes a myriad of problems

Mumeee, I agree totally with this. And that is a good reason for recognising that your child is "different" and dealing with their special needs early. Both the intelligence, and the other things that might go along with it such as delayed motor or social skills. My concern for DS is not to have him labelled, or push him, or to have him think that he's better than any one else (because of course this isn't true). My concern is that I can already see his behaviour deteriorate when he's not intellectually stimulated, and he is only 4. I know that it is often the bright kids that can be the trouble makers in school and drop out early. So it's very important to me that I make the right choices now about his education. If the local state school isn't going to be able to cater for him, then I need to find somewhere that can.

I think the rest of your post is quite harsh TBH. I can understand that there are pushy parents out there. But I think most of us are just trying to do the right thing by our children for now and for the future.

[milka]

I was just taking a break from my uni assignment when I saw this thread. Part of my uni assignment was putting together some information about Gifted Children and we had to research the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

If you want they have this link with some information for parents, and while it is aimed at school age children may have some information that could be good to read!

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/programs/gifted/forparents/default.htm

OK enough excuses... I'm off to finish my assignment!

[Mumeee]

I think the rest of your post is quite harsh TBH. I can understand that there are pushy parents out there. But I think most of us are just trying to do the right thing by our children for now and for the future.

I guess it does sound a bit harsh - but speaking from someone with an IQ of 146 and all the myriad of problems that go with that - I'm doing the best I can. I'm sorry.

And go private education - the Government schools wont cut the mustard. Sorry in advance to all the pro-Government school people.

[*Ali*]

And go private education - the Government schools wont cut the mustard. Sorry in advance to all the pro-Government school people.

I would actualley have to disagree with this, Private and Public schools both teach the same curriculum, and the teachers are all educated in the same places. Lots of public schools offer brilliant programs for gifted students- which really help them achieve their fullest potential. I agree that not all state schools may do this, but I dont think that just because a school is a private school and you pay enourmous fees will guarantee you a better education.
As a public school teacher I get a little upset and offended by opinions like this, as I think I do a damn fine job of educating the students in my class and there is no reason that each and everyone of them can't go on to achieve wonderful things in life.

I think the best thing we can do for our child at what ever age, is realise their potential, foster a love of learning and knowledge and provide them with vast opportunities to experience new things, encourage them to try and problem solve for themselves.

[Phteven]

And go private education - the Government schools wont cut the mustard. Sorry in advance to all the pro-Government school people.

On the contrary, all the government schools near me have streams for G&T children and for children with learning difficulties but the private schools have woeful facilities for dealing with differance. NSW's selective schools system means that gifted children can be stretched far more in the public system than in the private system where the poor things are forced to slow down to the level of the slowest child in the class.

[bushmanpat]

And go private education - the Government schools wont cut the mustard. Sorry in advance to all the pro-Government school people.

Friends of mine run a franchise of a well known tutoring company and they see just as many private school children as government.
Also, I went to a private school and the scores of our school in the ACT equivalent of the HSC were atrocious. (edited)
In my opinion, the quality of ones education is much more influenced by the opportunities and support given by the parents than by the teachers of your chosen school.

In terms of your gifted child, I agree with the puzzles and various games etc. Also, share with them your amazement in nature. Point out a spider making its web, or maybe weeds growing in a roof gutter.
I was once jumping on a trampoline with a friends 3 (?) yr old when I noticed some grass clippings on the mat. I showed him how to charge himself up with static electricity and chase the grass clippings across the mat without touching them and it fascinated him for AGES. And after I left mum had to go out and chase grass clippings, and when dad got home from work, well you get the point.

Good luck with the little one and I bet you'll learn a few things yourself

[Lulu]

Oh yeah, I went to both public and private....and it was my friends from the public school that were headhunted by OS companies straight out of uni/school.....

[Mumeee]

Sorry I didnt mean to start a public versus private debate - should I delete that part of the post to avoid it being ongoing?
I always went to elitist schools so I really dont have a point of comparison other than the Government primary schools I have taught in.

For resources and information here are 2 great ones:

The Gifted and Talented Childrens Association http://www.gtcasa.asn.au

The International High IQ Society http://www.highiqsociety.org

[*Ali*]

Mummee- I dont think it is about a public vs private debate, it is about providing the very best for our children with the resources available to us. I think though it can be dangerous making statements like that- we have enough pressure on us as parents without making people feel worse about themselves or worry that there children are never going to reach their full potential in life because they can't afford to send them to the best private school.

I understand the point you were trying to get across, and I dont think it is what you said, more the way you said it. I agree that there is a difference between gifted and clever, and that is why as educators (I am guessing you might be one as well) we need to encourage parents to help children explore and expand their potential without pushing them too hard.

[Mumeee]

making people feel worse about themselves or worry that there children are never going to reach their full potential in life because they can't afford to send them to the best private school.

If your child is "gifted" you wont have to worry about affording a private school because they will get a full scholarship.

[mcrandi]

some children are gifted when born with education, special talents like music, arts