Gifted? How do I develop my baby further?

[Upseydaisey]

Hello everyone,

My baby was always a very alert baby, and by 3 weeks she'd cry for her milk and if my husband or mom start climbing the stairs with her she'll stop crying and be very alert knowing she is going up to have milk.( I always fed her upstais in the bed room)
She started walking at 11 months and recognised people like neighbours and carers at around 7 months.

she was very inquisitive always as a baby and the only TV programme she wathched was Count down! (she watches all the kids programmes now at 22 months :D)

She was able to say the full alphabet and count up to about 20 and recognise letters and numbers from around 20 months, She loves reading and makes us read to her all the time and remembers everything that is in the books. She speaks well and says 3 word sentances at the moment.

She knows how to work the iphone, htc and the digital cameras we have at home. For example she'll go the skype app on iphone and say she wants to talk to her grand ma, or she'll put youtube on and go to favourites and play songs!

Everywhere I go I get other moms say to me she is very advanced but I dont know if this is common for her age or if she is advanced, mainly what I want to know is how to help her further and make sure she doesnt get bored at somepoit and not push her to the edge by doing it! Thank you :)

I can't believe how many people think that just because there is a G&T programme in schools that there is such a thing as "gifted and talented children" that are different from (and better than) other children.

G&T programmes are just a way to ensure that the children of the stupid get the same chances as the children of the bright. Only thick people think their children are incredibly clever.

Some children are good at things that they do in school - that just means you don't have to try very hard to figure out what their talent (or gift it). Others are good at other things and it takes better parenting and guidance to help them develop themselves.

The very idea that 10% of children in every school can be categorised as "gifted and talented" is hilarious.

Oh this has really cheered me up.

Wonderful.

are you for real?
you have what i believe is known proffesionaly as a NORMAL BABY

Bless you heart OP! Your baby sounds perfectly normal to me. We all think our own babies are the most amazing and gifted ever but its not a very good idea to say so out loud because it makes you sound a bit like a knob.
Lucky baby to have a Mum who loves her so much though - maybe just enjoy her and chill out.

TSC. No sense of humour failure here.

Not bothered that mine is on the G&T register at school. Just happy she is happy and enjoying school.

And, TSC, I wasn't laughing at you.

DD 1 was seriously slow. You baby would have definitely appeared G&T in comparison.

Now at school, she is G&T.

I am sorry but it is rare that at this age these are solid indicators, most children just 'balance out'.

I'd recommend less TV and more reading varied activities etc.

In the meantime just enjoy. Yes, your baby is sharp and I'm sure you get lots of comments, not all of them are meant (often find myself saying, 'wow isn't so and so utterly gorgeous' when I am actually thinking 'crikey, strange looking child but can't think of anything else'. If your DD is sharp, this is what people will pick up on, doesn't necessarily make her G&T though).

I've just come back to this thread and hope my earlier post wasn't read as being mean to the OP. This was not intended. I'm sorry you were laughed at. I agree with some of the other posters that the most important thing to do is widen her experience. A good general knowledge and experience of the world around her is the best education you can give a pre schooler. Social skills are also really important. Make the most of her being little and enjoy your time together.

Have fun and talk to her - chat on and on about any old nonsense - talking and listening are easily the most important things you can do for your child at that age. Try not to compromise your choice of language (within reason) and stay away from the tv!

i'm with senora

my older three were all real slow starters - never did anything quickly

does not pan out that way

chill

Don't take this the wrong way, but you might want to get hold of a copy of Oliver James accessible book about the development of personality - "They f&&k you up your mum and dad - surviving family life". Don't be put off by the title - it explains the impact of parental behaviour on the development of self belief, empathy, over-achievement etc. Above all it is important to make sure that your child learns that she is accepted for being her, and not rewarded for achieving "clever" things. Otherwise the risk is that you end up with lots of paper qualifications but a lifetime of internalised stress etc etc. Other good "perspective changing" (if guilt inducing) reads are Penelope leach "children first" and also "toxic childhood" by sue someone (can't remember surname)

thats a bit ott

I'd be wary of the Oliver James book myself, or at least aware that the man has some serious issues: having been raised by a pretty dysfuctional mum, he thinks everything that goes wrong with a child is the fault of the mother.

i agree cory

The best thing you can do for your child is to encourage social skills, being able to deal with other children, as she gets older, possibly be aware of other children's skills and help nurture them, not to alienate them because she can do something they cant.

Teach her to be helpful and kind to others. Encourage all aspects of life: arts, drama, music, environment, sports, etc. If a child is encouraged in life skills, then the academic skills will naturally develop but you will have created a happy well adjusted child.

If you only focus on academics and ignore arts, drama, sports, etc then you are limiting her choices in the future.

Ensure she has a happy childhood being a child, and allowed to play and socialise with other children of all backgrounds.