Highly gifted 4 year old

by Bobbie Barrows

Oct 16, 2013

I am not a teacher but a mom. I am having a hard time with my school following through with things. I know she isn't learning to her potential. I could homeschool, but I worry about social need. Now she is in 4k but when she was tested last March she was at least 3 to 4 years above her grade level. I just wish there was a "great gifted source" to help with answers. Sometimes I feel with the amount of kids and lack of funds meeting my daughters needs is just unrealistic. She has been reading since 2, picks up on things so fast. I am i just being unrealistic in hoping her needs can be met?? Thank you for any, ANY advice

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Debbie On 10/16/13, GT Teacher wrote: > On 10/16/13, Bobbie Barrows wrote: > > Schools are imperfect places. If your daughter is or becomes > miserable in school, that's a sign her needs are Not being > net. If she goes to school willingly, and seems happy with > her school, you're way ahead of the game. > > It's not possible for ...See MoreOn 10/16/13, GT Teacher wrote: > On 10/16/13, Bobbie Barrows wrote: > > Schools are imperfect places. If your daughter is or becomes > miserable in school, that's a sign her needs are Not being > net. If she goes to school willingly, and seems happy with > her school, you're way ahead of the game. > > It's not possible for the group process that school > essentially is to design a class curriculum that is 3 to 4 > years above grade level - unless there are quite a few other > children who are 3 to 4 years above grade level. Some schools > have pullout enrichment classes for GT students and that's > their best effort at meeting the needs of GT kids. > > There was a website - [link removed]

Here's my opinion. I've been in a gifted program as a kid, my own children were in a gifted program, & I've taught gifted for 15 years, but it still just an opinion.

Schools cannot be and do everything for all children. Parents must be involved with their child's education, and it sounds like you are. Your child's school has a curriculum that they have to go through. It won't be perfect for all kids, so please accept that premise.

Your child is 4. Let her be a child. Let her interests drive you. Give her a magnifying glass & go outside. If she gets really excited by bugs, or rocks, take it further by getting books or movies, geared for her age.

Take her to museums. Go to plays and musical presentations (many symphonies have concerts specifically for children). Let her draw, paint, and create. Take her to National parks for walks and camping. And, like the other poster said, read to and with her.

Provide opportunities for her to play with children her own age outside of the school setting. Lots of gifted kids tend to be around people that are older than them, just because they're on the same levels intellectually, and then can't relate to kids their own age.

Many gifted kids do great in public schools when their parents don't let education stop at the school doors; I know mine did

Oct 19, 2013

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Leah Excellent advice, Debbie

The following article may be of interest

Oct 19, 2013

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Leah On 10/19/13, Leah wrote: > Excellent advice, Debbie > > The following article may be of interest

Oct 19, 2013

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Cadam Every type of schooling has it's advantages and disadvantages. None are perfect and remember that the educational option you choose for your daughter now may not work in a couple of years. You can always change your mind. My own kids have been homeschooled and now they are all in public school but I teach at a homeschool co-op because I don't want ...See MoreEvery type of schooling has it's advantages and disadvantages. None are perfect and remember that the educational option you choose for your daughter now may not work in a couple of years. You can always change your mind. My own kids have been homeschooled and now they are all in public school but I teach at a homeschool co-op because I don't want to work full time right now (not that there are any teaching jobs available around here....).

With such a little one I automatically think of finding a 1/2 day K program for fun and friends, then meet her academic needs at home.

When she is older, if you think home is the best situation for her there are many many social opportunities for homeschoolers. Seriously, most have trouble making sure they are home enough to get the real work done. There are co-ops, play groups, park days, field trips, art classes. Local children's museums often have classes for homeschoolers. Our local Kroc center has a whole day of science, art, music, drama.... etc. There is an art program that runs one day a week covering drama, drawing, painting, pottery, and music. That doesn't include the myriad of after school programs available to kids here.

Basically, if the only thing keeping you from homeschooling is "socialization", don't let it.

There are a lot of academic programs out there geared to self-pacing (meaning she can go through them at her own pace) and multi-age program with ideas for a variety of levels. These are great because you can choose the activities that match her level instead of her age.

If she is reading so well in English give her another language to puzzle over. I love programs from Classical Academic Press. They have Latin, Spanish and Greek for sure and might have Hebrew and French in the works. There are a lot of songs and stories involved and they have a whole website of games and animated videos you can play with for free. Greek is fun because of the different alphabet.

If she loves math, introduce her to Fred from the Life of Fred math books. It is a math program but written like a story about Fred, the 5 yo math genius who teaches at Kittens University. She may or may not understand all of the math, but she will have fun.

If she loves science or outdoors get her a special journal and take her on walks t explore the natural world. She can write down her observations and draw pictures of what she sees.

I remember the feelings that come with an 10 mo who has no need of baby signs because she can talk, or a 3 yo who stamped her foot and demanded her own math book like big brother.....

It gets easier in some ways and harder in others. The local elementary school taught her almost nothing in the three years she was there but it gave me a break from her intensity and the middle school has been great.

If it is best for your daughter to be in a traditional school, plan to challenge her at home. Take her places, do projects, find a list of classic books and start reading through them. Just watch her emotional state and make sure she is dealing with it well. If you have a supportive teacher your daughter can do extra research about a class topic and present what she has learned kind of like show and tell.

Blessings, Christina

Oct 19, 2013

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fwiw Two more thoughts in addition to what has been written here:

Music lessons and scouting. These two things were saviors for both myself and my children.

Music lessons (Suzuki is probably the option for a child this young) allow kids to learn and grow at their own pace. And the amount of mental challenge out there is nearly unlimite...See MoreTwo more thoughts in addition to what has been written here:

Music lessons and scouting. These two things were saviors for both myself and my children.

Music lessons (Suzuki is probably the option for a child this young) allow kids to learn and grow at their own pace. And the amount of mental challenge out there is nearly unlimited.

Scouting allows kids to dig their teeth into badges (ie. learning opportunities in a variety of topics).

School is never going to be 100% matched to each kid's needs and interests. But there is so much that can be done at home to supplement what kids are doing and school and to provide mental challenge.

On 10/19/13, Cadam wrote: > Every type of schooling has it's advantages and disadvantages. None > are perfect and remember that the educational option you choose for > your daughter now may not work in a couple of years. You can > always change your mind. My own kids have been homeschooled and > now they are all in public school but I teach at a homeschool co- op > because I don't want to work full time right now (not that there are > any teaching jobs available around here....). > > With such a little one I automatically think of finding a 1/2 day K > program for fun and friends, then meet her academic needs at home. > > When she is older, if you think home is the best situation for her > there are many many social opportunities for homeschoolers. > Seriously, most have trouble making sure they are home enough to > get the real work done. There are co-ops, play groups, park days, > field trips, art classes. Local children's museums often have > classes for homeschoolers. Our local Kroc center has a whole day > of science, art, music, drama.... etc. There is an art program that > runs one day a week covering drama, drawing, painting, pottery, and > music. That doesn't include the myriad of after school programs > available to kids here. > > Basically, if the only thing keeping you from homeschooling is > "socialization", don't let it. > > There are a lot of academic programs out there geared to self- pacing > (meaning she can go through them at her own pace) and multi-age > program with ideas for a variety of levels. These are great > because you can choose the activities that match her level instead > of her age. > > If she is reading so well in English give her another language to > puzzle over. I love programs from Classical Academic Press. They > have Latin, Spanish and Greek for sure and might have Hebrew and > French in the works. There are a lot of songs and stories involved > and they have a whole website of games and animated videos you can > play with for free. Greek is fun because of the different > alphabet. > > If she loves math, introduce her to Fred from the Life of Fred math > books. It is a math program but written like a story about Fred, > the 5 yo math genius who teaches at Kittens University. She may or > may not understand all of the math, but she will have fun. > > If she loves science or outdoors get her a special journal and take > her on walks t explore the natural world. She can write down her > observations and draw pictures of what she sees. > > I remember the feelings that come with an 10 mo who has no need of > baby signs because she can talk, or a 3 yo who stamped her foot > and demanded her own math book like big brother..... > > It gets easier in some ways and harder in others. The local > elementary school taught her almost nothing in the three years she > was there but it gave me a break from her intensity and the middle > school has been great. > > If it is best for your daughter to be in a traditional school, plan > to challenge her at home. Take her places, do projects, find a > list of classic books and start reading through them. Just watch > her emotional state and make sure she is dealing with it well. If > you have a supportive teacher your daughter can do extra research > about a class topic and present what she has learned kind of like > show and tell. > > Blessings, Christina

May 28, 2014

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