Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Do some gifted children hothouse themselves?

You know, everyone has different ideas about what they think kids should be able to do by a certain age.

After reading all about the Montessori method, I realized that many kids can be introduced to reading before they are 6 years old, and that it might even benefit them. If you teach your kid to read by 4 or something, outside of a school, then maybe some people would say you were hothousing. In my family, we expect that babies be potty trained before 2 years old. I was fully potty trained by 22 months and my little sister even earlier than that. My mom didn't push us or mess us up by teaching us about using a potty.

I have no problem showing my 8 month old how her shape sorter works, trying to teach her shapes, or reading her whatever book I feel like reading to her (or whatever she chooses.) It is my job to educate her, or at least provide opportunities for learning.

If she happily learns the symbols on a flash card, I'll happily show her more flash cards! All this stuff in the early years is just basic knowledge about the world, anyway. Once you learn your ABCs, numbers, and all the basic stuff like colors and animals you get to REALLY learn about the world. You get to read books on anything you want to read about. You need the basics first, though. Why not get them out of the way so your kid is ready to explore their interests fully when they want to?

Also, some people think kids should just play all the time before entering school, but playing is learning to a child and if they are having fun learning what you show them, then I think it is just fine.