so, what can you do besides spend extra time teaching them extra skills, "hothousing" as it's endearingly called (they seem to use it as an insult .?.). I'd rather spend the same sixty golden minutes of every diamond hour teaching ds new things he can do rather than telling him all the things he can't do. �Train the monkeys, wind 'em up, and let 'em go. �
I don't see the choices as worksheets or telling the child not to do stuff. How old is your oldest? Three?
Some alternatives to worksheets or no:
take nature walks
build giant block structures
follow the child's imaginative lead to pretend, build, etc.
dance
enjoy good quality books together
accomplish real household tasks together (laundry, cooking, etc.)
enjoy sensory play
enjoy motor skills play
enjoy dramatic play
cards
games
dance
sing
get out in the community and meet new people
attend community events like concerts
tinker
craft
observe and interact with animals
look at clouds and stars
In my opinion all of these activities are gifted friendly activities. Plenty a HG and PG kid has enjoyed the preschool years without worksheets. The play may be varied and complex but within the world of play there are immense opportunities for growth and intellectual stimulation.
For what it is worth, the rote memorization and focus on writing was a terrible fit for our gifted kid. It was an insult to his creativity and thirst for learning. It was the worse of school imposed at home.
