Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school Programs for Academically Gifted PreSchoolers

Does anyone have any information about educational institutions, or programs, that fit the skills of academically gifted and talented preschoolers? We have found that public/parochial schools are not a consideration, because they have state mandated age enrollment requirements. In addition, some other private organizations are also required to adhere to state mandated enrollment standards, and only provide courses that are deemed to be age/grade specific.
My preschooler has been tested/evaluated, academically, at the college level. However, I am opposed to this idea because of the age difference of the students and my child. While we are maintaining age appropriate socialization networks for my child, we have not been as successful with academic programs.
Not only is my child gifted academically, but she is artistically creative as well. She is a classical pianist and also creates original compositions. Artistically, her paintings are comparable to those of John Stuart who painted a portrait of President George Washington. She excels academically in mathematics (calculus, periodic table etc.), as well as in history and other subjects. There has not been a challenge that she fears tackling,and, often, has not won. My preschooler is only 4-years old!
Has anyone else run into this kind of situation, or have knowledge of existing programs that can be accommodating?

Tackling that level of material suggests an enriched and supportive home environment in addition to a fantastic mind. It sounds like homeschooling and the Davidson Young Scholars will be your best bet.

By tested academically at the college level, you mean with an achievement test? IQ tests for children have a ceiling at 16yo equivalent, and they don't literally mean they're functioning like a 16 year old.

Regardless, for a four year old I would go with a strictly play based environment where no-one will be trying to get her to learn to count or identify letters. She's lucky to have such exceptional fine motor control, but could probably still have fun and learn a lot by making friends and playing with them.

jsb,

WOW!

Your DD's giftedness is probably one in a million even rare among DYSers. I don't think there is any gifted preschool program. They do (mensa for gifted youth, etc..) but they are for moderately gifted kids.

I suggest you apply DYS program and ask family consultant. They probably have more resources. But the chances are you have to home school her (but I don't know what you will teach her after calculus) until she is ready for college.

It sounds like she is mature beyond her chronological years and you may have to let her attend college before long. If I were you, I would ask her to take SAT, discuss with reputable online colleges (scholarship, etc..) and do online classes. (If she is willing of course.)

For mathematics, I would recommend looking at Art of Problem Solving courses. For example, if your DD4 can do all the questions in the "Are you ready?" test for their Calculus course - here:
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/courseinfo.php?course_id=calculus
there's a course starting October 1st that you could sign her up for. The great thing about AoPS courses is that they are done through in real time with teachers to answer questions etc., but via a purely textual interface, so there is no reason why anyone should know how old a student is. That's very liberating.

I'd be fascinated to hear about by what means your DD has accumulated the mathematical knowledge that doing calculus suggests. I am sorry to suggest that you may be winding us up, because if you're not, you must get that reaction a lot, but I hope you'll forgive scepticism, all the same, and indulge our curiosity...

ETA John Stuart? I can only find a Gilbert Stuart, in that connection.

I'm going to have to suggest we approach this post with caution.

Had the same thought.

Calculus, classical pianist, and accomplished artist at age four! Good to know that the future of humanity is in such capable hands.

Could you be more specific about your DD4's level of understanding of calculus? Can she do simple thing like differentiating x^3, or is she advanced enough to understand General Relativity.

Very respectful way of putting this.