I know a child who, well before 5 years of age, could look a complex picture for about a minute and then draw a very close representation of the photo without having to look at the picture again! He also prints perfectly and can write anything he sees. I think he's gifted but his Mom's not so sure. Here's the funny part - the only subject he's having trouble in at school is ART b/c he wont sit still or follow directions. Hmmmm...
I don't find that odd at all and here is why: At kindergarten level 'art' is very structured with coloring inside the lines and tracing a picture. For a child that shows true talent it can be frustrating. I had substitute teached in kindergarten and one day was asked to be the teacher's aide. So I was there when the teacher was putting together the Mother's Day projects and I came across this one picture that to the typical eye would look like scribble and nothing else but clearly the child had talent. Her figures had volume and details and were incredibly whimsical but the teacher argued that the child was nothing of the sort since she won't color inside the lines. So I had a nice little conversation with the teacher about conforming kids like this and she should allow her a little freedom and just see what she can do.
