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I am new, but have enjoyed reading many of your posts.

I have a 2-year old daughter with a late November birthday who started reading sometime between 18 and 20 months. For a while, I believed she had just memorized all her books, but I finally convinced myself that she could recognize words when I typed them on a computer and she was able to read them.

She is currently enrolled in a Montessori program, but we're looking at alternative private school options for pre-K on. The problem is her late November birthday, which misses the cutoffs in Virginia, DC, and MD. I'm hoping to convince the schools to make an exception, but I would like to have an independent assessment to strengthen our case. Since the private schools we are considering require applicants to take the WPPSI�III, I was considering having her tested as soon as she turns 2.5 (min. age for the test) to have the scores in hand earlier on in the application (or negotiation) process. However, would it be more advantageous to wait until she is closer to 3 years (the latest age we could schedule the test is 3 years because results are due at the schools in January 2009)?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

I think it depends a lot on the child. Does she like to sit at a table and do little games one-on-one with an adult? Or is she one of those kids who doesn't like to sit still or be directed to a particular task?

I guess if you test earlier your would have a chance for her to be retested (on a different test) if necessary...

My son took the WPPSI-III at age 4.5. He really enjoyed the experience and has asked me when he will get to have another "brain checkup".

Cathy

It depends on the day. She's never been a great sleeper. After a rough night (which is still not infrequent), I don't think she would be able to do it. However, on a normal day, she probably would enjoy it even.

Very cute about the "brain checkup"

What happens if your child has an off day on their testing day? Can the evaluator choose to cancel the session?

Can you get the sleep thing to work? (or let her sleep with you the night before the test, if that's how she sleeps best?)

Lots and Lots of gifted kids sleep poorly! For some it's because they are terrible about winding down, for other it's because they just don't need a lot of sleep. Figuring out which situation fits your particular kid is the key. I think that a lot of us freewheeling gifted mom's really rebel against the schedual thing, which doesn't help the child sleep well. That was true of me anyway!

I was convinced that my DS11 just didn't need sleep as a baby, but I might have noticed that he drifted off just fine as long as he had skin-to-skin with me!

Anyway - welcome!
Grinity

Interesting note on sleep and giftedness! My DD9 STILL won't sleep alone and neither will many of her friends -- a fact that is there but a bit under the radar until you ask their parents.I have always been convinced that this is one her quirks -- She is very independent until-- she's not! I was TERRIFIED to sleep when I was a child.

Do you have any citations about this/

Aline

The diagnostician we used says there are tests normed down to age 2--my kids were tested at 4-5, and that was considered young. She says she would cancel if kid has an off day, but since she doesn't know my kids--how would she know when it's an off day. I would keep goals in mind when you test...since you want to get into the preschool, test as close to deadline as you can. My kids who skipped early had a little trouble with dexterity skills (writing). IQ scores for many things are valid for 2 yrs, so you want to make sure it's valuable.

Hmm. I'm no help on that one; my ds took the WPPSI at 5y5m.

Can I ask another question? You don't have to answer, I'm just curious. Why are you switching out of Montessori? We had a great Montessori Early Childhood experience (ds did a toddler program from 2-3, and Early Childhood from 4-5). We switched out mainly so he could start K with his classmates, and Montessori past K just wasn't an option for us.

I know a lot of gifted children, especially gifted preschoolers, do well in a Montessori program because it's less structured.

Just curious!

We never intended staying in Montessori past K (at the latest). I really like Montessori for pre-school ages, but I don't necessarily think a little more structure is a bad thing for grades 1 and up.

The reason we're looking to transition her for pre-K instead of a little later is that the private schools here in the DC area (like so many other places) are so competitive that it seems to make sense to apply as early as possible.

A secondary factor is her Montessori school's location. We're fairly happy with the school, but a major drawback is that it is 25 miles away. I drive her in in the mornings and then have to wait for her until school is out (there is too much traffic in this area to attempt the drive back home). On days that there are evening activities, we're traveling 100 miles -- it's a little much. There are not many alternative Montessori options closer to us due to her November birthdate. We cannot apply for September entry (she needs to be 3), and they will only consider her application for November entry if they have any openings at that time.

cym, did your early-skipped children have any troubles besides less-developed dexterity skills?