How do I know if my child is gifted?

[uhohgruffalo]

My DS has been speaking since about 10 mos. He is 23 mos old and he is now speaking in four- to five-word sentences, all the time. He can sing many songs, knows all the words. He tells jokes. He is memorizing Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss.

I don't advertise this stuff to friends, and I've generally downplayed his abilities, believing that children develop first in those areas that interest them, and with DS it just happens to be language.

But I have started to get CONSTANT amazed comments from friends, family, neighbours, play group facilitators, strangers in lifts (!)... So now I'm starting to wonder if maybe he IS a bit gifted. And, if so, how should I handle it? Do I continue to downplay it, so he feels "normal"? Or is that harmful? Or is it even too early to know if he is gifted?? What do I do???

[globaljen]

Romy7... has he had a test for dyslexia? As several kids I have taught have been brilliant at verbal language, but struggled when trying to put their words on paper. My little sister spoke early, and now is doing a PhD but is severely dyslexic, she just needed help to work out what to put on paper, and found it intimidating to start with. There are ways and means, and levels of dyslexia..

[MrsMattie]

he sounds fab!

He's way too young for 'gifted' to mean anything, though, I think. Having him assessed would be pretty pointless at such a young age (don't think anyone would assess a child so young anyway).

My son is 3 yrs old and was an early talker. He now has an amazing vocabulary and people often mistake him for a much older child. His nursery want to have him assessed before he starts reception as they feel some sort of statement of his G&T-ness would benefit him at school. I'm not so sure, really. I don't see my son as 'gifted', I see him as...well...him. A unique little individual, like all children. I'd hate for him to be labelled or some how singled out so early on in his life, to be honest. Before you go down any route that labels him 'gifted' think about what you're doing it for, would be my advice. So much of the stimulating, engaging environment your child needs can be provided by you at this stage in his young life.

[avenanap]

ds could count beads to 10 at 14 months, when he started school at 4 there were children who couldn't do this. Remember that all children are good at different things and no two are the same. Just because he's very good at language this doesn't mean that he'll be good at sport or music or maths. Try to encourage the things that he is not as good as aswell and make sure you leave more time for him to play and be a child.

[Romy7]

globaljen - nah - not unless he'd still be able to tell you how to spell everything lol?
i don't know that much about dyslexia really - his spelling tests are fine because he has no option but to sit and write one word when they say it (he went from 'did' to 'fluorescent' in one test lol - it did make me laugh and wonder whether the teacher was taking the p.)
i do think it's sort of because in his head he's already 'done' whatever it is - discussed it to the nth degree whilst planning with the class, so when they all move on to writing whatever it is down, he can't see the point. it's more a case of working out what motivates him really. but hadn't thought of there being any other reason for it, so thanks for the idea - i'll pay a bit more attention lol!
but he is good at bottomsitting!

[Quattrocento]

Your DS, a PFB by any chance?

[Romy7]

what mine? no - pfb even cleverer
ds is poor ignored middle child - that must be why he tries so hard, sob.
that and being sandwiched before the devil child was born...

[Romy7]

oh. i did it again.
even cleverer

or were you talking to the op?
sorry!

[byebyebirdie]

What's a PFB? I worked out the FB -first born? Yes, he's my one and only, for now. Not sure what hte P is for

[KaSo]

All 3 of mine could do that at that age, 1 is of 'above average intelligence', the other is clever and the third is normal to slightly below average for his age.
Progress at that age means very little.

[Quattrocento]

P=precious

[Doodle2U]

My son could point to all the countries on the world map by the time he was two and a half - and I'm talking Iraq, Namibia and a whole host of others I don't even know myself.

He's now 7 and just bolloxed his SATS - so my advice would be.....assume he isn't unless he writes a concerto before his next birthday