View Full Version : too young?
how young is too young?
Just wondering if there are any places in Perth that can help me?
my DD1 is 22 months old and extremely intelligent. she has a photographic memory (only have to tell her something once and she'll remember it forever), says well over a thousand words (talks proper sentences and can even tell me a story! even tells me and DH off!!!), knows almost every single nursery rhyme, can say the whole alphabet, can count to 16, knows all her colours (pink, yellow, orange, red, blue, green, black, white, brown, purple, grey etc), knows at least 30 animals and their sounds, remembers everyones names and faces, uses words like Fabulous, Amazing, Delicious etc, remembers things that happened 6 months earlier (with no previous mentioning of them either), is toilet trained (at 20 months), and yeah, the list goes on!
when she was 12 months old the child health nurse mentioned that cos she had a vocab of well over 30 words (at 12 months) that she would prob be speaking 4 word sentences by 18 months. she started doing this by the time she was 16 months old. the CHN said she has a development of a 3-4 year old.
i've read so many books / websites about child development and looks like she's in the 4year old range for most things, not just her speech and vocab.
her first word was around 8 months (not too early), but she started walking at 10.5 months.
obviously, each child is different, but "they" say children can't kick a ball straight ahead if aiming there or jump up with 2 feet off the ground till they're 3. also read somewhere that they can't run till they're 2. DD1 can do all of these and has done so for many many months!!
also, "they" say that you can't tell which hand is their dominant hand until they're about 2, but ever since DD1 was born she has been left hand dominant - DH is a lefty.
She sings, dances, colours-in all day and helps me around the house. helps me clean (dusts, vacuums, wipes the floor) and also helps me with her baby sister. She watches a lot of TV/DVD's and even chooses what she wants on. she turns the TV on, gets the disc she wants to watch, turns the dvd player on, takes the old disc out of the player, puts a new one in, closes the player, presses play and then even puts the old disc back into the correct case in a drawer, closes the drawer, then always closes the cabinet doors in which the player is in. i dont have to do anything at all. just sit and watch.
another thing is "they" say that children can't take complex orders until they're about 3 or 4 but i can tell DD1 whatever and she'll do it. i can say something like, "honey, can you put this book in your bedroom then go into your sister's room and get me her pink jumper in her bottom drawer please?" and she'll run off and do it all. no questions asked. she can also dress herself.
now...... the reason for this post is...
firstly, i want to see if
* anyone else has a child like this (ie, is this normal or is she gifted?)
* how can i keep her at it? (i believe most children tend not to keep going forward after 5 years old)
* How can i do more with her at home?
* Is there somewhere/someone in Perth that can help me (or tell me) what else and how else i can continue teaching her - home schooling maybe?
Most learning centers around here teach the child according to their age, not their intellect. I believe that my DD1 is a lot more intelligent than other children her age and even tends to like being around adults and older children more rather than children her own age. I wonder if there is a school or something that takes a 2 year old (after she turns two!) but teaches them what a 3 or 4 year old learns?
any advice/suggestions/ideas are greatly appreciated!!
TIA!!
:D
* anyone else has a child like this (ie, is this normal or is she gifted?)
She certainly has a lot of markers for a gifted child, however I would be cautious about labelling at such a young age. You need to detremine the benefits of doing this, and at this age the benefits are minimal. You have seen that she is significantly ahead of her expected development, so she now needs this cultivated. Whetehr she ends up being labelled as gited later in life will not change this.
* how can i keep her at it? (i believe most children tend not to keep going forward after 5 years old)
Firstly, could you explain why you think this? If this was the case people wouldn't learn anything.
Secondly , yes it is true that you have the most brain function and making of connectiosn before school age than any other time in your life, but this is becasue your brain then works on making more specific links after this age.
But ... a gifted child won't necessarily stay that way if not given the opportunities. Age is irrelevant.
You keep her at it by not 'teaching' as such. Just make all learning a normal part of your day. Talk about everything, have conversations with her with the expectation that she will continue to engage in teh way she does. Look for oportunities in the home to learn without becoming a stereotypical 'teacher'. Cook, play, read, read, read. When reading, talk about how language works, why some letters make certain sounds, and the times they don't. Turn everything into a learning opportunity.
Don't call her gifted. Treat her a normal, she will realise soon enough that she is different, so she needs to know that you see her as normal.
* How can i do more with her at home?
Cook with her, make her do housework and see how she is a part of a community, with communal expectations, walk aournd the community and talk about everything - what fences are made of, how bricks are different to wood, why the sky is blue, number patterns, the role of the sun, why you don't see the sun during the night and so on.
When cooking, make her count out stuff, show you the same amount in a different way etc.
* Is there somewhere/someone in Perth that can help me (or tell me) what else and how else i can continue teaching her - home schooling maybe?
At this stage, just live life with her, It's the talking that teaches. You can go and get a whole lot of pragrams and enrol in groups etc, but a parent IS the best teachers of a toddler.
Make sure you have all poosible opportunities at home - art, science, cooking, technology, literacy, numeracy.
A lot of the learning will be through talk at this stage. The more 1:1 talk time with an adult the better.
Georgias Mummy
19-09-2010, 21:25
I think you should let her be a child !! Don't push her to learn more obviously she is doing well learning now so why change anything?? I think you will find that a lot of 2 yr old girls can demonstrate these behaviors. A clever little girl you should cherish and love thats it. Dont put pressure on her.
I think you should let her be a child !! Don't push her to learn more obviously she is doing well learning now so why change anything?? I think you will find that a lot of 2 yr old girls can demonstrate these behaviors. A clever little girl you should cherish and love thats it. Dont put pressure on her.
:iagree:
WorkingClassMum
24-09-2010, 12:59
Check out this thread (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=358535) and maybe send a pm to Jaq
Goodluck - she sounds very special
Don't worry, I'm here. Off doing a bit of research on schools.
OP - here is a list of Montessori schools - you can set it up to show only the WA ones as well, I think (http://montessori.org.au/schools/listing.lasso). I'll explain why a bit later ...
Firstly, your Qs. Yes, I think your daughter probably is on the gifted scale; a lot of those characteristics are quite similar to what we went through with DD1.
I don't agree that a lot of 2yos would be able to do that; I think a few 2yos would be able to do some of those things, but not many would be able to do all of them.
I think it is a bit early to determine whether or not she is gifted; keep in mind, too, that giftedness offers a huge spectrum of possible things ... some kids will easily be identified as gifted (early readers, for example) while others will not (there are many children with learning issues that prove to be gifted as well as learning disabled).
So basically, to find out whether your child is gifted or not, you might need to get her tested at some point. Otherwise, it will become apparent once she starts kinder and the like that she is either at the high end of normal, or on a scale all of her own.
How do I keep her at it? Not sure what you mean by this either. For many gifted children, you're biggest problem will be keeping UP with her, trying to slow her down a bit and learn to smell the roses and just relax. That's why comments such as "don't push her" (no offense cja and Georgia's mummy) make me smile - I often visualise myself bumping along behind Annika, hanging on for dear life as she drags us all in her wake!
They won't ever show the same trajectory as in early toddlerhood, but they will continue to amaze and thrill you with their wonder for the world and the fruits of the mind etc ... and when they learn to read, the world becomes their oyster.
]More at home ...
Don't bother with trying to "teach" her ... follow her, fuel her passions for things, let her play in the dirt and with water, and cook with her and read to her ... a child this age will automatically seek out the lessons they most want to learn. Try not to let it drive you mad :o Gifted kids can be very intense ... we talk about "excitabilities" and "intensities" and I'd imagine you will find out soon enough what I mean :p
Schooling options
The schools I've posted above are all Montessori schools, and Montessori as a general learning philosophy is a great option for gifted children. At home, Montessori principles are helpful in suggesting different activities and the best learning environments, as well as teaching you how to observe your child and best figure out what she needs.
A Montessori school, particularly a full school (ages 3-11) allows your child to do "kindergarten" in an environment where they are mixing with a three age range, and can work to whatever developmental (not age!) level they are at.
My 3yo was doing reading with the preps within months of starting at our school, and now is able to go into Year 1 next year because she has 2 years of Montessori behind her, and they are well and truly familiar with her abilities.
A good Montessori school (one that follows the method rigourously) will look at your CHILD and the developmental behaviour they are showing to determine what work she should be doing. Kids are rarely as advanced in all areas, so a child might be doing normal 3yo practical life tasks, year 2 language work, prep maths, OR working to a different set of standards altogether.
I can't speak highly enough of how good Montessori has been for Annika, and would strongly urge you to have a look at your local Montessori schools. I think they are a superior educational choice for ALL children, but for gifted kids, they might just be the ONLY educational choice.
My daughter is 21months. Her first word was "dad" at five months. She could say her own name at 9months. She now can count to 10. Say , blue, green, yellow, red etc. Says the alphabet. Can also string sentences together and completely understands what I am saying if I ask her to do something. She can do puzzles and pronounce more complex words that only have been said once to her. She has really been able to do all of that 4/6 months ago. I read books to her all the time and have done since she was 12 months old, we talk to her alot and explain/describe things that are in her environment and have lots of play time together :flowerz:(not so much now that I have a 5 week old).
I think just cherish the way she is and enjoy the wonderful stages of her life.
My DD1 is the same, so intelligent & does all the above thing u mentioned, I am just letting her me a child & enjoying seeing her growing up.
SalTheGal
24-09-2010, 14:49
Jaq has a wealth of knowledge- and some wonderful advice... and I was going to come in here and suggest you talk to her about Montessori too- I would really look into that option if you have one close enough, they sound wonderful (alas we don't have one here or DS would be there in a heartbeat)... also try to learn about the Montessori philosophies so you can implement them at home too.
Most of all cherish you little girl, she sounds wonderful!!! :goodvibes:
Amajai and Escada, can I ask what you would do when your nearly 3yo has taught herself to read and her kindy doesn't have books she wants to read? Or at 4yo she is getting a reputation for disrupting the class because she does in five minutes something that occupies other children for hours? Or when she comes home crying because none of her little friends want to play her very complex imaginary games?
It's all good and well saying "enjoy them" but children who outstrip the norm by a certain amount create problems for themselves and the people around them, as well as bring joy.
Better to be forewarned and have strategies in place than go into it with no idea of what MIGHT be ahead.
Amajai and Escada, can I ask what you would do when your nearly 3yo has taught herself to read and her kindy doesn't have books she wants to read? Or at 4yo she is getting a reputation for disrupting the class because she does in five minutes something that occupies other children for hours? Or when she comes home crying because none of her little friends want to play her very complex imaginary games?
It's all good and well saying "enjoy them" but children who outstrip the norm by a certain amount create problems for themselves and the people around them, as well as bring joy.
Better to be forewarned and have strategies in place than go into it with no idea of what MIGHT be ahead.
I honestly thought that this is what an average 2 year old does...I have noticed that she does alot more that some other 2 yr old do but i just put this to be intelligent not "gifted"... I do understand what you are saying about the issues that can occur as i see it happening already with her friends of the same age.... i dont know what to do :confused:
CazHazKidz
24-09-2010, 15:35
I don't have a gifted child (well i dont' think so, he's only 9 months :laughing:) but honestly I agree with the other posters that I would just enjoy her and let her grow and learn in her own time.
As for what to do when she got to a point where she was bored and needed extra stimulation, well I would cross that bridge when it came to it, and just enjoy the now. But that is just me personally, and obviously everyone is different. Some people feel the need to be prepared for every possible situation and I do understand that.
Escada, what made me think that the OP's child is likely to be gifted is the combination of all the things she said. Many children do one or two in isolation - most kids are good at something! But all of them, together, and the ability to follow complex instructions like that ... that's a pretty good indicator of abnormal recall and advanced social development. It might NOT be, but I'd say the likelihood is quite high.
Caz, as to wait and see ... I am actually the least prepared, plan-it-in-advance type person you'll ever meet. I thought my daughter was perfectly "normal" until her day carer asked me who had taught her to read. I said, "um? She can read?" I just thought she had memorised the books ...
Felt a bit mugged by that, I guess. All the signs were there earlier BUT I assumed all kids did that. Even know with Sofia I wonder what's "normal" because my frame of reference is so out of whack.
It's definitely important to know before they start 3yo kinder, I think, because that is when it starts to blow up in your face. (as per above examples)
Jaq,
I don't think there is anything wrong with encouraging a child who understands and can comprehend at at early age. My daughter was socialised no different to any other child we didn't not purposely make her read "flash cards" at the a of two months or anything like that. She naturally showed a personality that indicated to us that she showed signs of being intelligent for her age.
As for all baby's they are all different and I do believe that some catch on quicker than others. I would not classify my daughter as gifted I think she just is who she is.
When she is of school age I think I will cross that bridge when I come to it. At least I know that the foundations are there for her to read, write, comprehend and enjoy her schooling years in a positive way. :flowerz::)
I certainly hopes it works out that way for you, Amajai. Every child deserves to have that -- unfortunately, if we had left it to what most people think of as "school age", my daughter would be going into prep next year between 2 and 5 years ahead of her peers on various fronts ... and we wouldn't have necessarily known about it.
(Click on "jaq's homepage" in my profile above if you want to see what I mean.)
I certainly hopes it works out that way for you, Amajai. Every child deserves to have that -- unfortunately, if we had left it to what most people think of as "school age", my daughter would be going into prep next year between 2 and 5 years ahead of her peers on various fronts ... and we wouldn't have necessarily known about it.
(Click on "jaq's homepage" in my profile above if you want to see what I mean.)
You're definitely right here Jaq. To be honest - it is really stressful to have a child who is significantly ahead of her peers as this doesn't necessarily equate to an advantage at school.
Noone knew I could read when I went to school, so I found the work incredibly boring. DD has another year and a bit before she gets to school and when the kinder teachers tell me that they get ready for school in term four (so that will be Oct 2011) by doing some simple letter recognition and sounds, I panic. A child who at three is reading a number of books, counting past 100, adding and subtracting simple sums, understands sound blends, asks and comprehends scientific questions, hypothesises about space and works out 'rules' is not going to enjoy learning about Annie apple.
I let her be who she is to a point and don't go out of my way to teach her, but she goes out of her way to learn -so much so that keeping up is tiring. Because she goes out of her way to learn, I make sure that any activity we do (and she turns into a learning experience) does not look like one that I am pushing an obvious learning experience.
There are other issues for me though. The biggest one is social isolation - she has real issue with other kids, so we have to work on this. Being bright and talking and thinking differently to your peers doesn't help this which is why we want this fixed before school starts so that DD doesn't have social and academic difference.
By the way Jaq - very cool blog :D I'm going to become a follower.
myleysmummy
28-12-2010, 18:12
Jaq----- I 100% agree with you
Tatiana28
28-12-2010, 18:53
OP your daughter sounds intriguing.
All those people who are saying 'don't push her, let her be a kid,' have you seen the movie Little Man Tate?
thanks Tatiana - she IS amazing! hehe
she has actually been accepted into a private preschool starting in feb. yeah shes a year early - shes only just turned two - but she is so ready and really, we're just gonna see how she goes. since last posting, she has learnt to read almost all letters, knows the sounds for the letters and some words which starts with that letter, and i think i had forgotten to mention earlier as well that she knew all her colours, shapes and uses i, me, myself, you, we, us, him, her etc all in the right context. she never talks in 3rd person like a lot of toddlers do. she speaks in english, and can count in english and to 10 in spanish and a knows quite a lot of words in spanish and burmese as well. shes also great at puzzles and is getting to know her geography. she knows where a lot of countries are and has correct pronounciation of them too. also, knows which animals belongs to what country.
i'd say she excels in almost everything except socially as she doesnt like to "hang out" with children the same age but likes to talk/play with older kids or adults. i'm hoping preschool will change this.
as for learning, she wants to learn more and more and is always asking me questions and if she doesnt know what something is she wants to know what it is. i try and make everything fun for her and we do a lot of activities at home too like playdoh, painting, dancing, singing, swimming, blowing bubbles, dress ups, imaginative play etc etc etc. i dont think shes missing out on being a child. actually, she just won 1st prize in a colouring-in competition in the age group 1-4yo. i'm a very proud mummy!!
anyhow, even if anyone doesnt think i'm doing a great job, i think i am doing an amazing job with her (as well as having a little baby to look after) and i'm so proud of my beautiful little girl. both of them!!
:yes:
BabelFish
29-12-2010, 00:35
Our daughter is just like yours and was doing all of those things at 22 months, too. Now she is 29 months and the other night I read a new book to her twice and then she decided she wanted to 'read' it to me, whereupon she repeated it, almost word for word, from memory. I freeeeeeaked out!! :D
I've asked so many questions here about her but finally have found some answers in this thread!!
It really annoys me when people seem to assume that because your child is like this they have somehow been 'pushed' or, because you want to help stimulate them or help them grow you are also pushing them.
The GATCA in WA told me not to deliberately try to hold my daughter back because it is CLEAR that she learns at the pace she wants and she just drinks it all in - everything you can teach her.
I completely agree with letting children be children but stuffed if I'm going to sit back and let her flounder with boredom and frustration because I was too scared or anxious to encourage her to explore and extend her capabilities.
Gifted children thrive on education, experience, challenge. Who am I to deny that to my child? That's not the same thing as pushing. It's simply showing respect and support for her abilities and teaching her that her needs will be met.
By denying her what she NEEDS in order to be properly stimulated and not bored to death all the time I AM enjoying her. I'd be doing her a disservice if I wasn't willing to go where she wants to take me.
southcoastmum
29-12-2010, 01:57
I agree with everything Jaq has written. I am a special needs (incl gifted) teacher and my daughter starts at a Montessori school next year.
I recommend you join a local gifted support group. You will benefit from their experiences, particularly with schools.
You have an amazing journey ahead, and you will need to be your daughters advocate, as not many truly understand giftedness.
very well written babelfish - thank you
:)
Wow, what a fascinating thread. I've so enjoyed reading through it. Has given me some food for thought for sure.
Our DD is 19 months and we are quite astounded by her lol!
Reading about your DD, OP - it was like reading about my own daughter. SHe's a few months younger than your DD but she is doing most things you describe. I have no idea how many words she has...let's just say a lot. I am most shocked by what she can process - multiple instructions like you described etc. AS she is our 2nd and I feel like my feet are only just hitting the ground since she arrived I think we hadn't really taken full notice of her capabilities. While our DS was advanced with language and I really do think he's a bright little button there is a real difference with DD. Sometimes I think there is nothing she doesn't know or can do lol.
That being said I am as wary as they come about all of this. DOn't really know why - I am a teacher and while I have taught many, many very bright kids I have only come across 3 kids I truly believe were gifted in my own particular classroom. I know there are many gifted people out there and it is vitally important their needs are met I still want to hang back and see what happens I guess. DS is just about to start kindy at 4 and a half and I'm all for believing that home is the best place to learn in the early years.
Good luck, please keep us posted.
Susan Mac
17-01-2011, 19:19
I've only skimmed through the posts, sorry, but I just wanted to respond:
I pretty much taught myself to read when I was 4. Surprised my mum by reading to her one day. I arrived at school being the only kid in the class who could read. It sucked for me socially. I was the weird kid right through school who loved learning and found school easy and didn't understand why other kids didn't.
I'm pretty freaked out right now because DS1 is 12 months off Prep and is starting to read, can count past 100, do basic addition, and questions everything. He is starting 2 days a week at kindy next week because he never plays with other kids (unfortunately he's 4 years older than his brother :( ) and even given the chance would rather hang out with adults.
I don't consider him gifted, just very bright. I think it is still too early for labels, and besides, I don't want labels. I even know that other kids his age are well ahead of him.
I always just work with him where he's at, and if he's interested in something we do it. Just a few minutes ago he brought an egg beater to me and wanted me to explain to him how it worked. But I am keen to raise independent thinkers, so I got him to try and work it out. Earlier today he wrote a story and we took photos to illustrate it. I just guided him a little to make sure the story had a beginning, middle and end!
oh, and he has been very obviously left handed since he started using crayons!
tinkerbell87
17-01-2011, 19:27
Awww sounds like a very clever little lady congratulations, I wouldn't put her I'n school or anything she has her whole life for that.
Better to be forewarned and have strategies in place than go into it with no idea of what MIGHT be ahead.[/QUOTE]
Could not agree more! I suspected my daughters was gifted very early and when she was 2.5 I contacted state gifted children association for information and advice. I would advise you to do same. To join gifted assoc you do not need to 'know' your child is gifted.
If you suspected your child was learning disabled would you seek advice and information or just let her 'enjoy been a child'?
Good Luck!
Noopy, your little girl sounds a lot like my DD1. She's 4.5 years old and I have already had to have multiple conversations about the Big Bang, Evolution :eek: where babies come from and how they are made (yes, that is a hairy conversation). I have never held back on factual information, however it can be slightly awkward when she's telling her 8 year old cousin how babies are made and born :eek: :laughing:
DD1's Kindy teacher told us on Tuesday that her skills are way beyond the others in the class and that she would fit in "better" academically and socially with the pre-primary or even year one class. But do you think they will advance her? no of course not :( And yes, I would like her to be advanced to the pre-primary class! She was beyond ready for school last year!
:gl: with your clever girl and enjoy!
Thanks, we got lucky this year cos she's only just turned 2 in Nov however I was able to put her in a private pre-school with other 3 and 4 year olds. she loves it and knows all the answers to everything and knows how to do everything. sometimes i htink its a waste of time as she's not learning anything new (as i'm in the class with her cos shes still so young and needs to be supervised - teachers orders - but i'm not with her as i have DD2 with me so we play in the room next door but i can see and hear everything that goes on!) but its great for her socially. thats really the only thing shes lacking. shes great mentally, physically, academically and whatever else there is and now cos of pre-school she's getting there socially too. i see her talking to people now which she never used to do before. however, she doesnt really speak to other kids but maybe thats just cos they don't speak as much as her or dont speak to her. if they do then she replies.
anyhow, i think this was a great stepping stone for her and has already givne her heaps of confidence which is what she needed. i am still teaching her a lot at home but to be honest i dunno what else to teach her as she knows "everything"!!!!!
i do a lot of crafts with her as well.
any suggestions is appreciated!
:D
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