Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school Playing dumb?

If he's gifted, he may be a perfectionist. This can lead children to intentionally do things wrong (or in a goofy way) rather than risk trying to do them right and then doing them wrong.

Try playing a game where you sometimes do things wrong, pretend to be confused and ask him if you did it right. If he laughs and sets you straight, you'll know he knows the skill.

Another possibility is that he's experimenting with social boundaries. (What will happen if I do this? How will mom react?)