Mumsnet Talk

Is it possible to assess a child of 2 1/2 for G&T or is it even appropriate.

Should we wait till primary school age when they are in school?

I am concerned that my child will not cope well in a state school and wonder if there are any alternative, if I should be doing anything now?

Just enjoy spending time with your child. He or she may be clever now but thick in a few years. I've read lots of similar threads on mumsnet and that is the usual advice.

ROFL

nice try

What makes you feel your toddler is gifted?
Far too young to worry about such things.......

Message withdrawn

He can count to 100, do addition, spell the numbers to 18, has a prodigious memory and is hyper active.

I read a couple of articles on assessment and he seems to fit the bill.

I would be interested to know from what background the comments are made as they seem mostly negative.

My comment is not intended to be negative, but I agree that you should just enjoy him!

He does sound very clever, but it's too early to worry about this IMO.

Spell the numbers to 18? Sounds very strange.
Have you had him assessed by a child pyschologist? Is he on the autistic spectrum, maybe? Have the pre-school voiced any concerns about him?

Do your research on state schools in your area now. You don't have to go in looking like a Pushy Parent, referring specifically to your child's achievements - just look at their policies etc.
Have his nursery given any advice? Ds's recommended private school for him, but we've found the state system more than adequate at the moment.
There are excellent state schools out there and some pretty poor private ones!
Home Ed may be something else you could consider?

Ok, Did I say he was my child? It's my friend boy. I'm not a pushy parent, just a concerned friend. Maybe I am a little out of touch with current school policy but I am surposing that any child over or under achieving will have a difficult time.

Not sure whats "strange" about spelling numbers 5- F-I-V-E. Is it autistic? As far as I can make out he is normal in every way except maybe over active and needs to be kept occupied, which I understand is one of the characteristics. He is able to pick up things really quickly. From a comment it is suggested that his progress might tail off in time. Is this true?

How to or if appropriate to get him assessed?

"I am concerned that my child will not cope well in a state school and wonder if there are any alternative, if I should be doing anything now?"

???????

Erm, you kind of implied that he was your child, unless the reference to 'my child' is for totally different reasons?

Message withdrawn

that does sound very advanced to be spelling things! although it could just be memorising it. you could get a toddler to recite the list of 50 US states if you tried hard enough, but that doesn't mean the child understands what a state is, IYSWIM!

what are his social skills like?

Message withdrawn

These threads always go this way on G&T. However, to give you a serious answer, 4 is really the youngest that you can do any type of quantifiable testing and still there are some tests that are not normed until age 6. So for the next year or so continuing to stimulate the child in a variety of activities is the way to go. You can find some good information on the NAGC site.

what exactly are you concerned will happen at school, otto?

I didn't mean to imply you were a 'pushy parent' at all.
Best to research your schools, sit back and wait for^them^ to notice that a child is operating above the norm

My 2.6 year old can spell "fart" thanks to his 5yo brother! Sorry, I digress...