I think my child is advanced and I don’t know how to nurture it?

[Queenslotus]

I’m a single mum to a almost two year old (23 months!) and I think she may be advanced? I’m not really sure as she’s my first, and there’s no other babies in the family to base anything off (PFB) and I’m just going from google and what nursery, friends, family have said. This is not a Brag post.

Some examples of this are:

A very extended vocabulary- knows all animals, even types of animals such as kingfisher penguin, artic fox for example. Can identify around 15 dinosaurs by name? Today she spoke in a 13 word sentence “I want a drink and then I want to go to the park but most of her sentences are around the 8/10 word mark? She loves talking. Can express her feelings very clearly “I’m not happy with that” “I’m ready to go here now” and describes her dinner as “delicious” or “Gross” for example (depending what It is haha!) so uses a wide range of adjectives. I’d say she knows around 600/700 words but possibly more.

She loves numbers, is counting to about 20 and can identify the numbers from the clock, door signs, etc. Is very confident with alphabet and can read letters, organise them so they are in the correct order and read out her name if she sees it’s written

She’s not however good with physical things, she cannot jump, climb or scooter and was a late Walker at 20 months!!

I’m just wondering if she seems advanced and how I can support her going forward? I want her to carry on learning and exploring but I’ve had a few comments from friends about her being advanced and me not exploring “options” about her future? Private schools etc already! Or taking it seriously enough.

But like I said, I’m a single mum and I’m not sure how I can support her other than exploring and learning.

It’s too early to say OP. She sounds bright, yes.

My DD was also an early talker, full sentences before two, she freaked out many adults who couldn’t believe how well she spoke (nursery told me she was exceptional aged 14 months. When I laughed as said I guess you tell all the parent that they said ‘no, no, we’ve never had a child that can speak this well so young.)

She’s still smart and articulate at eight. Amongst the bright group of kids in her class, sure, but is finding stuff like spelling tough. Maybe showing some signs of dyslexia (which I also have, along with an Ivy League degree).

So - meet her at her ability and interest level and no stress or pressure. I played down attention on how advanced she was as a pre schooler and it’s easier to support now some things are a bit bumpy.

Kids are different. I have a younger child who talked much later but seems ahead in other ways.

Two is too early to be sure of anything. Just enjoy her!

Have you heard of orchard toys? They do lots she might enjoy.

www.orchardtoys.com/dept/language-literacy-games_d0121.htm

Books books books

If she were my child and I had some spare cash I might try and get her to learn a second language.

She definitely sounds like a smart cookie.

At this stage, I wouldn’t worry too much about actively trying to nurture anything - so much of what kids learn is play based, so play will help her as much as anything. If she particularly enjoys numbers etc then you can play games that involve those skills, but make sure it’s fun and not a chore.

You could also look into classes for things she might enjoy like music / coding / whatever. She’s maybe a bit young at the moment, but in a year or two she might get a lot out of things like that.

If she’s advanced in some things that’s great - but I never really understand the need to ‘nurture’ something just especially because they are advanced in it. To what end? She’s already doing well in it. The talking she’s managing fine without further special input - leave her to it and focus your energy in support her with what she struggles with.

Join the library, read lots of books to her and with her, sing songs, read poems and rhymes . play card and board games that develop memory and tactical thinking, do lots of craft. cooking, running about and climbing trees in the park, excercise to develop physical co-ordination. She's just at the age for a balance bike!

Just like any child needs :-)

Don''t start panicking about private education; there are plenty of excellent state schools.

PP are right, don't ignore the physical part

Read lots of books, do art, do music.... people tend to focus on academic stuff but there is so much more to life. And your child will be happier to learn all kinds of different things. Like identifying local animals, plants, insects... a globe is also a great thing to have and show them where they are in the world

She sounds delightful and you are clearly doing a great job. She definitely sounds very clever but there isn't anything more you need to do, try not to stress, she sounds wonderful and it's OK to just enjoy her.

Walking late is common amongst highly intelligent children so you don't need to worry about that. And not being able to scooter at 23months is not a concern.

She's walking so I'm sure she can run. Definitely nurture her gross motor skills ie climbing, ball play, dance, a running bike etc
But she doesn't have to be great at everything, she just needs opportunity and encouragement.

Gross and fine motor skills are essential so you could also focus on those. What eyfs is looking for is a deeper understanding of number so many children will know 0-20 but what if 12? It’s 10 snd 2 x 1s, it’s 10+2, 8+4 etc. All way too advanced for now but working at greater depth goes beyond simple memory of things.

I could read at 18 months

😂😂😂 you couldn't though could you - made my day though!

She sounds bright but not worryingly exceptional. I would work on her gross motor skills as they are so important for writing, if her core isn’t strong enough she won’t be sitting well enough at a desk to write.