Hi Everyone,

I've collated the developmental milestone data I received.

I created four MS Excel graphs for four questions:

1. Age at reading first word
2. Age at first reading a simple chapter book
3. Age at first doing simple addition (sum </= 5)
4. Age at first deliberately writing a letter.

I got the most responses to these questions. More responses would be great!

BIG CAVEATS:

*The data is only useful as a description of the kids included in the survey.

*It isn't linked to IQ

*It's self-reported

*There are a small number of data points

Obviously, this data isn't generalizable in any way. Although I did a few simple statistical calculations, they're only meaningful in the context of the group (and barely so at this point). More data would make them better.

That said, I think this is a worthwhile project that could provide interesting information if more people participate. The current little idea could morph into something more interesting and more statistically reliable, too.

In the meantime, the graphs are certainly interesting for us. They could also be useful for showing to school administrators, given that they paint a (little) picture of (a small group of) gifted kids. The approach I'm using here is a little different from what I've seen in other sources (Ruf, etc). If anyone has found something similar to this, I'd be happy to see it.

I created a Google page so that everyone can view the files:

Survey results #1

If anyone else would like to participate, please answer the following questions here or in a PM to me:

1. Age at which your child first read/sounded out a word.
2. Age at which your child first read a chapter book (Cam Jansen, etc).
3. Age at which your child could do simple addition (sum less than five) in his head.
4. Age at which your child first deliberately wrote a letter.
5. Age at which your child starting writing words (mispelled or not), not including his/her name.

New:

6. Age when child first wrote his/her name.

If interest continues, and if my time permits, I can continue this project.

Cheers,

Val