Hi everyone. Just wanted to introduce myself. English IS my second language so forgive me if there are spelling/grammar issues at times...:-) Also, this is going to be LONG so hopefully I won't lose you halfway through. I just want to paint a picture of where we are at with our kids for you more experienced parents of gifted children. I just found this board and I am very excited about it. As all of you probably feel it is nice to find a place where we all deal with similar issues that mostly can't be discussed/understood by friends/family.
I have 2 boys. DS1 is 3 yrs 10 months and DS2 is 21 months. I started to suspect DS1 was gifted at about 2 1/2 when all of a sudden he started to read Level 1 early reader books. I think I would have realized it earlier had it not been for the fact that I didn't really know what was the "norm". I have not had him tested yet but I think that might be a good idea. Would LOVE some suggestions about testing since I am completely new to this. I have been reading up about gifted children in books/internet trying to educate myself so that I can understand my son better and give him what he needs.
He was not really an early talker. Started to talk at 18 months but quickly improved and spoke in 5 word sentences at his 2 year birthday. Also want to mention he is bilingual.
Before I realized he was gifted I found it crazy that he just seemed to teach himself things. Yes, I sat with him a lot and read, did letter/word books, number books etc. But still. He would pick stuff up SO easily. I can't even remember that I taught him to read...he taught himself pretty much.
At this point he is advanced in both reading/writing and math. His elementary educated teacher in preschool said he reads at a 4th grade level with 3rd grade comprehension. He can pretty much read anything, chapter books etc. He writes on the computer in full sentences like a diary of his day. He is now up to 11,000 words. Fine motors kills are way behind and so are his gross motor skills. As far as math he is doing multi digit subtraction and addition and regrouping the addition problems. Also is starting to do some beginner multiplication.
He was in preschool last year where most of the kids were older than him. The school was going to bump him up to Pre K even though he misses the cutoff for it. I was happy about this. Sadly the school had to close so I was in a position where I would have been forced to put him in a 3's preschool program where he would have been one of the oldest. I did however ask the school I really liked if they would be willing to do a test on him for early Pre K entrance. They agreed and he passed no problem. His teacher now is WONDERFUL and embraces his abilities and understands what he is lacking as well. (Motor skills). I feel so fortunate to have him in a class with such great support from the teacher. She does say he is so beyond academically where the other students are and will ask her "what do I do now?". She is trying to challenge him since he is extremely hungry to learn but it makes it hard with having so many other students at a different level. So I brought in a 2nd grade math work book that he will work with while the other kids are doing the activities he already knows. She embraced the idea.
Other points I want to let you know about is that DS1 is extremely sensitive to noise and VERY emotionally mature. Is this something you find is normal for gifted kids?
I am not 100% sure about DS2 and where he is at yet. In many ways he is showing the same signs as DS1 did but not as extreme. At 20 months he has a great interest in letters and will read them out from signs in stores etc. He sings the whole alphabet song and can recognize and then say about half of them now. He counts to 10 and recognizes and then says numbers 1-5. He knows/says about 3 shapes and 3 colors. He doesn't have the same attention span that DS1 had and seems to only want to do things that he FEELS like doing at the moment. VERY determined and stubborn and has great attention span when it comes to something he is wanting to do. DS1 was easier to distract. He will however sit for 30 minutes+ easily and read with me. And even after that he cries then we have to stop.
The interesting thing about DS2 that DS1 didn't do is his sensitivity to peoples feelings. Extreme empathy. At 10 months old when DS1 cried he would crawl up and stroke him on the head trying to make him feel better. He has also always been so aware of his surroundings and what people are doing. More of an awareness than DS1 ever had. He seems to be very sensitive to noise/music and will cry if there is a song playing he doesn't like. Also visually he is very sensitive. The trampoline at the play center we go to has a worn spot on it and he spent a good 20 minutes pointing to it and being sad saying it has a booboo. This is just one example. Things like this happen every day. I am not sure what to think about it but when I started reading about gifted children having DS1 in mind a lot of the characteristics matched DS2 perfectly. Any thoughts? Is this kind of sensitive behavior common in gifted kids?
Seems a lot of you on here believe in breastfeeding (Nursed both kids to 20 months old), healthy organic eating no toxic exposure etc. I am with you all. I do believe it makes a difference, but if not, it won't hurt at least..
OK, sorry about the WAY too long message but at least now you know our story. I look forward to joining you all in the discussions and hopefully I can bring something to the table even though I am completely new at this.
Thank you for reading.
Annie
Last edited by 1111; 08/26/11 11:44 AM.
