Gifted Children

ViolaLass

You seem to be doing a lot of things with him in English, which will be covered at pre-school. Why not focus on your own language? He won't learn it elsewhere.

Also, how about learning a musical instrument?

Newly_retired

Lots of great suggestions, eg musical instrument, another language, nature, things he probably won't get in nursery and primary school.

I was never pushed by my parents or labelled G & T, and it came as a surprise to me that I was cleverer than almost all of my classmates. At some stages eg top infants, four of us had done all the syllabus and so we tidied the stock cupboard or helped less bright kids. My form did GCE in the fourth yr and I was already a year young. At 14 I started A levels but really had not the maturity for some of it eg literature.
So the point I am making is that pushing a child in the academic subjects is not always advantageous. They may end up marking time or struggling with emotional immaturity.
Better to focus on social skills, expansion of ideas, practical experiences, non school skills.
Later, if you can choose a school which manages differentiation well, in sets, or other ways, maybe a grammar or private school even, your son will get the opportunity to work at an appropriate pace. But outside of school he can do other things too.
I had friends brighter than me. One had a breakdown, another turned to drugs, another developed a life shortening illness. There is no guarantee that he will fulfil his potential. Life is complex. Do your best to allow him to develop good social skills, make friends, be kind. Eat healthily, keep active.

tibawo

Just to add my piece... At nursery/pre school I was called in as dd1 was 'not' were she should be for her age and they were worried about her. I wasn't and refused help. She is now deemed to be g and t. Whilst I am proud of her she has also been given the chance and encouragement to try new things and do things that make her happy.

I would let you child guide you op and encourage their interests. Try to do something non academic and stretch other skills too.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

I could read and write before I went to school because my Mum taught me (she herself left school at 16 with only one or two O Levels). She tried the same with my younger brother, but he developed at a different rate- we both ended up going to university.

Ensure they can read and then fill the house with books- all sorts of books- and they won't go far wrong. I still recall the sensation of finishing the first book I read on my own (Five On A Treasure Island).

FBaby

Within the top 2%, there is then an unbelievable difference between an IQ of say 130/135 and 145/150.

Totally agree with this. There is quite a difference between my kids and those on the genius children programme. They were totally amazing at the age of 12. I see my kids as being clever, I see them as being geniuses indeed.

BucksLady

I find the term ''gifted'' extremely ambiguos. For example, I used to work as an examiner for a Music Board (grades, diplomas etc) and found that some of the most talented candidates actually had Asperger's Syndrome or other disabilities. There was one particular child who had very poor verbal skills and yet aged 9 she was taking grade 8 piano - no mean feat.

I like to think of ''everyone'' as being special in some way

quidsy

Many kids who find things easier than the crowd early on have a bad time of it later in their school life once everyone levels off a bit. They have learnt that they can get top marks by not really putting much effort in & then other kids who have really worked at it then start catching up or surpassing them.


It is better to teach your kids that effort is a much more valued trait than intellect.

FBaby

quidsy wrote: »

Many kids who find things easier than the crowd early on have a bad time of it later in their school life once everyone levels off a bit. They have learnt that they can get top marks by not really putting much effort in & then other kids who have really worked at it then start catching up or surpassing them.


It is better to teach your kids that effort is a much more valued trait than intellect.

Why one or the other? I did wonder at one stage that DD might start to struggle when things would get a bit harder as she got used to doing very little work to get top grades, but she has proven that this is not the case at all. She studies very hard and will spend many hours going over her GCSE books, doing practice exercises.

She is a very hard working pupil, naturally quite competitive anyway and really likes to push herself whatever she does. Teachers normally comment more on her dedication than on her intellectual ability. I really hate this attitude that because you are clever you are lazy. The two are not exclusive.

fabforty

There is a difference between 'bright' (even very bright) and 'gifted'.

wannabe_sybil

I suggest you use eg YouTube, Ceebeebies etc. I am not sure if bear is gifted, but he has benefited a great deal from eg dvd of jolly phonics (his go-to dvd when he was about three or four). There are some great documentaries on YouTube as well if they are interested later on. It's a relaxing way of a child absorbing information. I'm really slack about screen time but very, very strict about age appropriate and so far, so good. Bear is top of his class for stuff like maths.

However you can expect a blip now and then, like when bear found out that bananas are radioactive. It got awkward. He's over it.