3 yr old obsessed with numbers?

[SomewhereInNeverland]

Hi I'm new here so not sure if this is the right topic for this but oh well. My 3 yr old brother is absolutely obsessed with numbers, does this mean he's g&t?

My aunt seems to think so, she says that means he's a genius. He doesn't go to nursery yet (we tried to take him to a playgroup but he screamed bloody murder and my aunt has vowed to never take him back there), he has just learnt numbers from tv I guess. He doesn't know any letters yet (which I think is odd because the kids tv shows teach letters just as much as number from what I've seen, he just seems drawn to numbers), but is the numbers thing a good sign? Or is that not unusual for his age?

[SomewhereInNeverland]

Just a thought, is it maybe that boys are more drawn towards numbers? Because my sister knew the alphabet at that age, but could only count to 20. My brother can count to 100 (with help) but doesn't know any letters yet.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

It takes time to work out whether a child is G&T, it's very rare that you can tell from a very early age as, generally, all children are like sponges. It doesn't mean that he's G&T as it depends on what he's doing with them. If he's just pointing them out then no. If he's trying to add or subtract then possibly. I'd just ignore it unless it's a problem and he's mega obsessive.

[nannyof3]

His 3 and can count to 100???

His not g&t......

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Some kids take to numbers like others take to collecting cars and putting them in order or my little ponies. Once they get an interest they sometimes run with it!
Def not just a boy thing.

[Seeline]

really depends on whether he actually understands the meaning of the numbers, or whether he is just reciting.
Does he understand that 4 is more than 1, and that 99 is alot more than 1?
Can he count actual objects?
Can he add two groups fo objects together, or take one group from another?

[SomewhereInNeverland]

Hi, thanks for the responses. I don't think he can count objects yet, but he does know that some numbers are larger than others. Don't think he can add or subtract yet either. Maybe he's just reciting then. Thanks again!

[ChazDingle]

my DS is 3 next month and he's been able to count for a while. He can count to over 300, both counting things and reciting the numbers and also recognises the numbers written down. He just seems to like them and has picked them up without us really trying to teach him. However he is useless at everyday things, he won't try and dress or undress himself for example. He also liked the number programmes on cbeebies like numtums and numberjacks and now likes team umizoomi.

[LucyLucas]

My brother always loved numbers from just under two and stilll does now. (is 27) He loved all things o do with numbers, books, just generally trying to figure stuff out. Is now an engineer working with numbers so always followed his love of numbers. (not a nerd by the way, lost in his own world but married now and his wife is expecting)

[GibberTheMonkey]

You make it sound like nerds don't get married or have babies.

I dont think he sounds gifted and talented either but he obviously enjoys numbers which is a great thing and to be encouraged.