what about clever babies??!!

[jenna12345]

Why is it we feel almost embarrassed to say when our children are very clever yet there is always help around when they are behind? I feel like i cant ask these questions to people i know? My ds has just turned 15 months and has always been a good talker. The childminder (he only goes 2 afternoons a week) has highlighted to me that he is very advanced not only in speech but in behaviour and understanding and she has never cared for such a bright child?! Im shocked and obv delighted it is lovely to hear but she said if I dont nurture this he may not continue to develop at this rate and will get bored. I now dont know what/how far I should take the 'learning'. He wants to be clever and good which I think is half the battle won. He is only a baby i know but whilst he is keen to learn i want to be able to nurture this. Any advice? .. also what is anyone elses 15 month old saying/doing. I had a quick count of words ds says clearly and in context (without prompting) and the list was around 70 words? Is this unusual?

My bilingual child could also do the same. At 2.5 can even do basic addition/subtraction. But is painfully shy, not v physically adventurous (can't jump!) and needs prodding in social situations. Just as much as I don't boast about the former, I don't despair about the latter. My CM did say in an off hand manner, 'he's a bright one.' Great but as PPs have said it means nothing. I am wary of constantly doing things to stimulate him because I think children should also learn to be bored, and imagine having to carry the expectations of being 'clever' at 2.5. I offer him books, music, swimmimg, walks in the park etc. I also work FT so some days are just about keeping one's head above the water rather than tapping into his 'inner genius'!! My advice: let him be, read to him, talk to him but please don't be disappointed if in a year's time he is just like other kids.

I think everyone likes to see a spark of genius in their toddler. In reality they are just all developing and learning at different rates, having little spurts here and there which might make them seem ahead of others.

I don't think you can identify gifted and talented until much later on. Just play with them, let them explore the world and keep them well stimulated.

Schools do have help / extra stuff for clever kids. The G & T register.

So don't worry about her not being stretched.

And between now and school I'm sure you'll have no problem stretching her. If you just do stuff she likes, she'll end up being stretched.

But do check out the G&T section here if you feel you're struggling.

What sort of help do you think your 15mth old needs?

When you have worked that out you might be better placed to claim it doesn't exist and that there is plenty for children who are 'behind' at the same age.

If you have a bright, chatty 15mth old you will need to talk to them, stimulate them, play with them, introduce them to new experiences, give them boundaries, encourage them to choose and feed, clothe and love them.

Exactly what you need to do with all 15mth olds. Even the 'behind' ones.

Just love your ds, play with him and talk to him like you always did, and he'll be great. Absolutely no need for "support" or anything special.

Surely that's good news, right?!