I think that sounds like a teacher who doesn't really understand a true gifted child. Based on chronological age? If the child is showing mastery, he's ready to move on. If nothing else, rather than holding him back if he is ready, why not do it on a trial basis and see how it goes. My DD was grade skipped and all of the reserach we did before hand stated it's not uncommon for knowledge gaps to exist but the difference is that a gifted child can learn those things within a short amount of time and it shouldn't be an issue. I think he should go for it, if he qualifies, and if something becomes a challenge, you can work with him on it at home. I wouldn't hold him back because of a WHAT IF. We haven't had any knowledge gaps so far and I think we'll be in a boat again where we'll have to decide if we move forward or what we do next. You can't make this assumption based on ALL children not being able to think abstractly at a certain age, but rather, what is YOUR child ready for.
