Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school finding balance

Hi all, Just wondering how you decide what are good experiences now and what can wait?

For example my 25 month old has dead keen on the solar system at the moment, we have a chart,a couple of books and a picture dvd that she is devouring. At age/stage she is at we aren't really getting into the mechanics of things, just familiarity and curiosity. Would you be going to the observatory or waiting

I'm just worried by exposing her to all her interests as they come along might rob her of some of the wonder of having/remembering "firsts" when she is older. We have already done so much in terms of discovering new things (always after she has shown interest) I just remember what it was like to long to do something and finally be able to as a 7 year old etc. What do you do?

We just follow the interests as chances are by the time DS4 is 'older' his interests will have changed. His love of space started at 2 as well. We went to the Observatory for a present for his 3rd birthday. He loved it. At 4 he remains obsessed with space but in a more in depth way but I know will love going to the Observatory again. There will be plenty of 'firsts' left I'm sure.
Enjoy the journey!

I am in the same boat right now about how to try and find balance with my 2 1/2 year old. He is so obsessed with numbers and letters and shows little interest in anything else. I am worried that this is not healthy or balanced. I wish he would get involved in other activities and show interest in playing with other kids. Instead of playing kickball he'll just go "b a l l" ball, while signing it with the sign language alphabet and be satisfied with that. I want him to be able to get out there and actually play more. It is worrying me.

I would try my best not to worry about what/when to expose my child to and just focus on enjoying their early years with them! Let your child lead you - if she's interested in the planets and you have an observatory close by, absolutely take her there and let her experience it if you want to and think she'd like it. You won't be taking away any huge moment of discovery when she's 7 - you'll most likely take her there again and again over the years and instead of a "wow" moment at 7, you'll build a lifetime of memories of an experience you enjoyed together. There will be plenty of other "wow" moments and firsts as your dd gets older - giving her one of them now won't take away anything at all from her future

As parents we tend to get wrapped up in worrying about how to parent and how to do the right thing for our kids that sometimes we forget that just simply focusing on enjoying our kids and having fun with them, meeting them where they are at, gives our kids so much of what they need and want. And it's never easier to do that than when they are young and not yet in school - so get out there and do all those things that you want to do with her, and that she's interested in

Best wishes,

polarbear

Thanks polar bear, we are going on vacation tomorrow and there is an observatory in that town but they don't admit under 3's :-( so that's a bummer. She'll just have to have fun at the theme park instead!

She's 2 and they admit 3yos - I'd give them a ring and ask for an exemption, explaining that it wouldn't be for your convenience (probably they assume that the only reason someone would bring an under-3 is because they have the child with them) but because she herself is interested. The worst they can say is no.