The biggest thing that worries me Deb about the giftedness spectrum is generally the really, really gifted ones have deficiencies in other areas. So while a gifted child could be brilliant with listening and learning, they are crap and reading and learning. Or they can read, but have difficulties writing. Or they are mathematical geniuses, and at age 10 still can't catch a ball.
So while I get that it can't be "diagnosed" til 4-5 (which was when I believe I was "diagnosed") surely there are things that can be done in the meantime to try and make your child as well rounded as possible, and try to eliminate, or at the very least identify any potential problems in advance.
The word gifted tends to rub people up the wrong way anyway. Its used to describe an exceptionally elite type group of high IQ people (or highly talented in other ways), but some people dont get that just because their child is above average intelligence, it doesn't mean they aren't "gifted" in the true sense, it just means they are bright.
I think it would be great if Jenna was jsut really bright, or if she's really dumb, thats fine too (her fathers genes ), and I'm not interested in hothousing or anything like that. I just want to feel OK about talking about my daughters accomplishments without feeling like a freak or a bragging mum.
I dont take it personally at all, I didn't think this would be the place for the discussion. I wanted frank conversation, and maybe some are right that all it would be is a "my child's clever too" thread which would dilute its usefullness to those that need the support.

Anyhoo - it doesn't matter at all. Upkeep or not - I'm not going to bother. If I need more information I'll hunt it down elsewhere