Very interesting topic. I have been wondering about this myself lately. I have 2 boys. DS4yr10mo is PG and was the typical milestone gifted toddler. Early reading self taught at 2 1/2, counting to 1000+ at 2yr 10 mo. all driven by his own passion. Very analytical.
DS2yr9mo is a different story however. Yes, he knew all upper lower case letters and all their sounds at 2 years of age and is now pointing to and knows about 40 words by sight. He also at times will sound words out. Still, nothing like my older that would obsessively go around the house at this age reading the clocks and refused to let go of his calculator. DS2 is totally different.
It is hard to explain but he has a much more depth in his thinking pattern, incredible abstract thinking. When DS4 would just look at a picture in a book and see what it was, DS2 will go off making up a story line about that picture. What will happen if he did this or that. Amazing creativity. HE also has an almost too intense personality and compassion for others. Observes EVERYTHING and there is NO WAY you can distract him. This was something that was evident before 1 year of age.
Also his memory. The other day he recalled that his uncle had tripped on some toys in Grandad's house so "We have to pick up the toys at Granddad's house so uncle XX doesn't trip". This uncle only visited ONCE 1 1/2 YEARS ago! The attention to detail is astonishing as well.
Another interesting thing he will do is look at a word like "together". He will then put his fingers over part of the word to find words within the word, like "to", "get", "the", "he". This is one of his favorite things to do while we read....:-)
So, yes, I do think there is usually some early advancement in gifted kids when it comes to the academics. But it seems like it is sooo much more to it than just that. I am not sure, obviously, at this point that DS2 IS gifted, although I highly suspect it...
Last edited by 1111; 08/29/12 07:50 AM.
