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Original poster

Help!!! Anyone else out there with VERY bright children????

100 replies

Bafreem · 23/02/2006 16:57

Hi
I have a 4 yr old (D.O.B.14.11.02) that can read,write (basically), swim without assistance,learning French (rapidly), ride ponies, beat me at chess and asks questions like "what makes the street lights turn on and off?" "If space goes on forever, what is beyond that?" "what is soil made of, because plants can grow in it and we can't ?"
My 2 yr old can count to 15 and knows all the alphabet/colours/animals etc. can jump and hop on either leg. (D.O.B.28.1.04)
I also have another....Crawling at six months and already using 'sign' to say hungrey/thirsty/attention required...

*hhelllpp!!! - anyone out there with the same???
Help required regarding state schooling, keeping them occupied and particulary, integration with other children.
cheers
Bafreem ( nickname is what my daughter called me before she could prenounce catherine or mummy!):

OP posts:
KateF · 23/02/2006 17:23

Poor Bafreem hasn't had an answer to her question yet . I would say treat them normally. Do lots of different activities, get books from the library, buy some age appropriate CDRoms, get a dressing up box. Worry about their education when they are a bit older.
FWIW dd1 seemed an extremely bright toddler but after a year and a bit at school has settled down as a clever but not outstanding little girl.

foxinsocks · 23/02/2006 17:23

I don't think bafreem called them gifted

Nobody said gifted children were better than the others

Bafreem is asking whether anyone has the same situation

soapbox · 23/02/2006 17:23

CD - she didn't say she was bright did she

Sorry Bafreem - couldn't resist

MaloryTowers · 23/02/2006 17:23

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Dinosaur · 23/02/2006 17:23

Sorry, I suggested searching under "gifted" simply because when the topic has come up before, posters tend to mention the "gifted and talented" programme in state schools.

MaloryTowers · 23/02/2006 17:24

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CountessDracula · 23/02/2006 17:24

Not really, but I have a dd born on 4.9.02 and she is only 3.5

foxinsocks · 23/02/2006 17:24

am so slow to type, I'm repeating what everyone else says!

expatinscotland · 23/02/2006 17:25

I'm not particularly gifted at maths, but I do know that someone born on 14/11/02 is not 4-years-old.

MaloryTowers · 23/02/2006 17:25

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hunkermunker · 23/02/2006 17:25

Oh, not what I meant - I have baby brain in both senses

You need to be one step ahead of a gifted child at all times is what I meant. A gorgeous child just sits there and looks cute, surely?

soapbox · 23/02/2006 17:25

Well since G&T are taken to be the top performing 10% (IIRC) it isn't too hard to be tagged that way even if you are only 'very bright'!

Blandmum · 23/02/2006 17:25

I'm a teacher and I know that very bright kids often get bullied in school. I don't think people should be bullied because they are very able. I don't think that it is nice when adults take the piss either.

I would never say that a gifted child has 'needs' like those of children with SEN, but having a super bright child isn't a stroll in the park either.

Gifted children aren't 'better' but they can sometimes need help in a way that exceptionaly attractive kids, or those good at sports don't.

If someone posts for help, it worries me a little that people just take the piss.

general advice would be breadth of stimulation not constant advancement, and not to be surprised if their attainment 'levels off' somewhat....this does happen with quite a lot of kids.

MaloryTowers · 23/02/2006 17:26

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Dinosaur · 23/02/2006 17:26

MT, it is true, both my DSs are on the gifted and talented programme at school and I wouldn't say either of them was "gifted" in the true sense.

CountessDracula · 23/02/2006 17:26

if your 4yo was born on 14.11.01 then I would say fairly normal really

Not sure riding a pony is a sign of being bright (often the opposite IME )

expatinscotland · 23/02/2006 17:27

You know what's funny, though, MT? I was in G&T programmes in both primary and secondary school. For real. Although you wouldn't know it now, I'm such a pleb .

foxinsocks · 23/02/2006 17:28

would agree with that cd

MaloryTowers · 23/02/2006 17:28

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Marne · 23/02/2006 17:30

I have a bright 2 year old, dont know where she gets it from as im thick as sh*t. She can count, knows colours, shapes, animals and can talk for england. She cam write the first few letters of her name, we dont push her (and i never will) she just loves learning.

CountessDracula · 23/02/2006 17:31

who's that trip trapping?

(just a thought)

SecondhandRose · 23/02/2006 17:31

Just treat them like normal children, why are you worried about integration with other children? They run around and play and get dirty.

Plenty of private schools do 7+ scholarships, apply for one the year before. We got one as my DD is super intelligent too (sorry had to get that in).

Get them the Usborne range of books they answer all those science questions. As far as state schooling goes try and find one with small classes so they get the attention they need.

foxinsocks · 23/02/2006 17:33

yes, sadly that did cross my mind!

Blandmum · 23/02/2006 17:33

CD....re the pony , What 'Every Sloany likes a Pony' do you mean????? Ms Nice but Dim

expatinscotland · 23/02/2006 17:35

I knew Spanish at that age.