Measuring intelligence

[Whatnonsenseisthis]

Is there a way of measuring intelligence of a 3-4 year old?

Not because I think my child is a genius or anything but because, for our school choice, it would be good to know... Basically do we put her on the 7+ path or not.

At 3 she can write legibly if I spell the words, read simple books (red book band) and do basic maths (think 3 + 5 type level), but none of that is particularly a sign of intelligence I think, just a sign of us and pre-school working with her on that stuff, and her enjoying it / be willing to sit and focus.

I'm nervous about 7+ pressure, any work we do with her now is gentle and at her own pace.

Thanks to pps for useful thoughts on personality being more important than anything else when it comes to 7+. It confirms my gut feel that chilled school is best.

My son is not in an academically selective school, I'm not sure where that came from.

And for the avoidance of all doubt and to explain again the reason for my OP question - the only reason for me to question my gut feel is the possibility that she is really clever and I'm 'denying' her the option of that really good school (sorry to be a bit vague). But I accept that I don't know that and as some have says she could end up there anyway via a different route.

Sorry don't want this to be too identifiable..

I think just put her in the school you feel she'd be happiest in at the moment and worry about the 7+ when she gets to nearer 7...

Her interests/strengths could change loads in that time.

My main worry is that some children are pushed too early and too much.
Sure, some children seemed to get ahead sooner, but, as far as I know, it's not necessarily an indication of future performance.
I'd rather relax and let her learn at her own pace, and not go for a pushy school.

My main question would be where will she be happier?

The preschool version is called WPPSI.

I'm pretty clear that she (and we) would be happier at the chilled school as the pace at the other school is high and requires a lot of time investment and effort (homework, tutoring, early setting by ability etc). Time could be better spent doing fun family stuff. So I've answered my own question I suppose.

Thanks all

Of course you can do a cognitive assessment with a three year old, standardised tests exist; but they’re not enormously reliable, and tend to over-estimate IQ (or under-estimate if the child doesn’t want to participate).

My son had one done at three as a ‘practice’ for someone who was learning to do them. His IQ was pretty high, but I suspect that it’s an over-estimation (because he’s smart, but he’s not writing concertos )

Really, I think cognitive assessments for young children are useful for picking up problems, developmental delay, or specific processing/language issues - they’re no good for teasing out ‘clever’ from ‘very clever’.

Right decision!

As long as the chilled school is "good enough" academically - ie can handle a bright child - then I'd choose chilled every single time. We chose the chilled school over the pressured school for DD (who is bright academically, but not straightforward in other ways), and I'm so thankful we did, in fact I wish it was even more chilled...

Sometimes it’s lovely for a child to do well without pressure. They retain enthusiasm and a love of learning. They can learn at a good pace but enjoy other things as well. A good school will be able to introduce the children to all sorts of enjoyable things to learn such as a musical instrument, sport, drama, a language, craft and art etc.

There are plenty of children who get to Oxbridge and other top universities that have never had a day’s tutoring in their lives. They grow naturally into what is expected of them. I tend to think over pressurised children can switch off anyway.

There is no evidence that a heavy homework schedule for young children does much either. Self direction is an excellent trait - encourage it! Let her choose books from the library, sing, play imaginative games, talk about anything and everything! There is so much you can do instead of endless school work!

Thanks drs - that’s it. I could have dragged out the paperwork and checked but I knew someone would know it!

Good decision - I'd picked a chilled school over a more intense option every time!