Gifted Children

ViolaLass

ruthcoppard wrote: »

Only Maths needs early encouragement [mathematicians often peak in their teens], the rest can just develop interests as they become more mature.

Evidence for that?

benjus

If the top 5% is considered gifted/talented (as has been suggested on this thread), that's still quite a lot of people - over 3 million among the general UK population and about 250 thousand primary school age children in the UK. So not really surprising that numerous people on here have such children or are themselves gifted.

If you're looking for the next Einstein or Mozart, I'd say you should be looking for the top 0.000001%.

sugarbaby125

lulalola wrote: »

Agree that the best thing you can do is continue to stimulate him at home. My parents realised at about your son's age that I was way ahead of the other kids, and helped me to develop my skills through reading, writing, art, music etc. I was also picked up at primary school as G&T and given special work to do which, although I did enjoy it, singled me out and got me bullied. I also developed a massive anxiety to always get things right and be the best, and made myself ill with stress throughout my GCSEs, A Levels and university. It's only now, at nearly 30, still suffering from anxiety, that I am allowing myself to realise that there is more to life than being the best and having a successful career. So please be careful if you decide to push him. Although stimulation is good, he won't lose his intelligence by being allowed to be a kid.

You sound a lot like my now 23 year old daughter. She was identified as Gifted and Talented at 7 years old in Primary School. She has mostly A and A* GCSE's, 4 A Levels and various other qualifications. 2 years into University where she was doing a Psychology Degree, she decided to leave. She will never return to finish her Degree and I simply did not care. All of my family and friends were appalled that she has ended up as a part time George Colleague with a Local Asda. But they forget that just because studying in an academic environment came easily to her, it did not follow that she enjoyed studying. When she finally realised that for herself, she made the best decision for herself and I fully supported her and continue to be so proud of her. She is really shy, so working in Retail is making her more outgoing and confident although it is a slower process with her than most young adults. She lives in a house share and she has saved all her life, and continues to have substantial savings in an ISA. She is generous, loyal, loving, kind and a beautiful daughter inside and outside. She is far more intelligent than me, but I have 30 more years life experience and 100% more common sense, so there are still times when I look smarter :j

sugarbaby125

summerspring wrote: »

Unfortunately in a state school (or any mixed ability environment) the stronger or more intelligent ones are held back by the slower ones.

You need to get him into a school where the academic level is higher. However it might be quite expensive, so not sure if that would be an option for you?

Not necessarily true. All of my children once identified as Gifted and Talented (3 out of 4 children) were then stretched in their Primary and/or Secondary Schools and given opportunities to continue to make them grow and develop as good citizens not just on a academic level. :T

Louloulou40

I'm sorry but your child being a bit faster at 3 does not mean he is gifted, by reading the comments he has been in nursery a long time already and they will have been teaching him from a curriculum already unlike the children who have been at home. Most of these kids even out if nursery thought he was exceptional they would have told you this.
My eldest son was reading at 3 my youngest was 8 before it clicked both now away studying both have strengths and weaknesses both intelligent people.
Kids are just kids at 3 with ebbs and flows some learn faster some slower very few genuine geniuses but plenty of pushy parents

JP08

There have been a couple of comments on here about private (just to be confusing, calling themselves Public) schooling if your child is "gifted" AND you can afford it.

Bear in mind that many of these schools do scholarships for those who are genuinely over-achievers. My utterly wonderful step-daughter (ok I'm biased but the schools aren't when they select) was the recipient of one. 5 years at a well respected school, summer schools on exchange in the 'states for her, brilliant A level results, and not a penny for us to stump up.

Big BIG thanks to her (state) school for pointing her in this direction and supporting her throughout her application.

pollypenny

summerspring wrote: »

Unfortunately in a state school (or any mixed ability environment) the stronger or more intelligent ones are held back by the slower ones.

You need to get him into a school where the academic level is higher. However it might be quite expensive, so not sure if that would be an option for you?

Not so. Sweeping statement.

A good state school will stretch all pupils.

I have been privileged to teach a number of exceptionally bright pupils and they have all excelled.

holidaysforme

I can't actually believe I'm reading this. OP, here's a few things for you to consider.

G&t is very much overused and lots if children in any class in any school in the UK will have that label.it's pretty meaningless!

There are very very few truely gifted children. There are lots of bright children, children who have amazing memories, and powers of recall, but that does not make them gifted.Really gifted children are usually musicians or athletes, not three year olds in nursery able to build a tower with blocks bigger than the other three year olds.;)
Gifted children are a teeny tiny percentage of the population.

There is no way on earth that a three year old would be identified as 'gifted' in a Nursery school. That's utterly ridiculous.

He's three. When he goes to school next year, there will be lots of children doing exactly what he's doing and some will be doing it faster than him.

He's a child. He needs to learn to play, share, develop social skills and make friends. The best thing you can do is help him with this, not obsess about whether he's a genius or not.:)

Lastly, you really do.not want to be 'that' parent who thinks their child is special and brighter than all the others.:rotfl: I know form teacher friends that parents like you peovide a few laughs in the staff room on occasion.

I'd back off if I were you and allow your son to be a child. That's what's really important.

123xyz

If he genuinely is identified as Able, Gifted and Talented when he starts school, he may well be eligible for Pupil Premium Grant or Statement Funding. AGT children have "special educational needs" in the same way as children who struggle, and the PPG received now must be used for that child alone, not swallowed up into the school budget, which will help him enormously. However, at age 3, don't make assumptions!

LilElvis

123xyz wrote: »

If he genuinely is identified as Able, Gifted and Talented when he starts school, he may well be eligible for Pupil Premium Grant or Statement Funding. AGT children have "special educational needs" in the same way as children who struggle, and the PPG received now must be used for that child alone, not swallowed up into the school budget, which will help him enormously. However, at age 3, don't make assumptions!

The pupil premium would only be available if the parents are in receipt of certain benefits and the child is therefore considered to be disadvantaged. This is the sole criteria and the individual child's level of ability doesn't come into it.