Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Is my almost 2 year old gifted?

Hi there, I came across this website trying to find information on whether or not my daughter is gifted. She will be 2 in a month. She sings several songs by heart, knows the alphabet, can spell her name, knows her colors and how to count to 14. She has a fantastic memory and has conversations with us. My father is a genius, but wasn't sure if this is normal for her age because we have nothing to compare it to. She's at the point where she gets bored and I want to provide her with proper toys and stimulation for her needs. Not sure where to begin....

Maybe. I recommend PBS for a timeline of normal development.

As for boredom, we manage mostly with books, art supplies, cardboard boxes, a few puzzles, some blocks. The rest sits in boxes, largely unused. So I wouldn't worry about toys. Just play with her and let her explore.

Hi, welcome! Sounds like she is ahead of the normal development curve, especially interesting is the 'knows the alphabet' part you mention, but that in itself can mean a lot of different things.
I would also recommend reading at Hoagie's Gifted it a really great place to start and continue reading up about giftedness. Until a child is old enough to need testing for educational or other decisions, you might not be able to come to a definite conclusion, and that's ok. If she seems to need more stimulation, information, answers to questions the recommended advice is to follow the child's lead and you will be doing right by them. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice! It's not like I sit down and "work" with her to learn letters etc. She just has such an amazing memory. The other day I made a point to have her name whatever letter I wrote and she named every one (I listed them in random order) I always assumed I'd homeschool her once she was old enough, but if she continues to learn so quickly, I wouldn't know at what age to start.

In my opinion, gifted preschoolers don't need any less of a childhood than ND preschoolers. After all, you're not teaching her now and she's learning anyway. So I wouldn't recommend starting early if you're going to be homeschooling anyway.

Follow her lead.

If she's deeply interested in something particular--say bugs--do what comes naturally as a parent. Expose her to info about bugs through the library, your local park system, a butterfly show at a conservatory, the zoo, etc. Play in the yard and look at bugs. Watch TV shows together about bugs. If she asks questions about bugs, do your best to find the answers. Draw bugs. Pretend to be bugs. Make bug crafts. Whatever she likes, do that.

All of that is fun and it's coming from the child. It's not "sit down and learn" time.

When she's interested in something new, go with that. Don't keep on about bugs (or whatever) when she's done with the topic. Move on when she does. (Usually this happens right after you spent a bundle on bug-related birthday presents, BTW. LOL!)

Other GT kids have more general interests, wanting to learn a little about everything. But the same rules apply: follow her lead and give her what she asks for. Quit when she's done.

In my experience FWIW, homeschooling isn't something that most parents of GT kids "start," per se. It's just part of what you do because its what GT kids require, just like they require food and water. Even GT kids in a bricks and mortar school are frequently afterschooled because their parents are meeting their needs.

I'd say that your telling her the letters is homeschooling, but we don't usually call it that at age 2 because it's just good parenting. Your child wants to learn, and you're teaching. It's child-led, so it's the most natural thing in the world for both of you. That's ideal!

Well put No5no5 and I totally agree. I guess it really is about the approach to it all.

That makes perfect sense! I think I just need to relax regarding meeting her needs. I have a 4 month old as well and feel like I'm not providing enough stimulation or activities for her because I'm so busy with the baby right now. She doesn't get much interaction with children her age either. Just today I took her to church to visit the nursery. From what I saw in each "nursery" or sunday school class for ages 1 to 3, it seems she's cognitively at the same level as a 3yr old, but the nursery at our church separates children by ages, so she ends up chatting away to children who give her blank stares or aren't really paying attention to what she's saying. Do you find that gifted children have a harder time making friends their age?

lol you reminded me of when my oldest was 2yrs old i took her to a church child care w/ only other 2yr olds during a moms group and the first time i picked her up they said "she is really good with glue and crafts" i said "oh really iv never given her glue before" the second time she got more comfortable and started talking to the workers and when i picked her up they said "are you sure shes a 2yr old???" lolol i was like "uuhh yea...." like i wouldnt know how old my own kid was?? lol
anyways my oldest didnt make friends well she was shy and never knew how to relate well to other children its better now at 4yrs old because the other kids are getting to be more verbal and talk on a higher level but she still acts a bit odd with other kids at first

It's funny you say that. Today I was playing "ring around the rosey" with my daughter and we were trying to get the other kids in the nursery to learn how to hold hands, walk in a circle and sing the song. All she wanted to do was hug me after the song was done. She did share her crackers when I asked her to with the other kids, but she was clearly uncomfortable! Is your oldest the only child considered "gifted" or have you found that your other children are gifted as well?