Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Age or Ability Specific Forums Pre-school Concepts of taking turns

I have to admit, I am amazed by everything DS11mo does. But to be honest, who isn't amazed by their little ones?

Our DS11mo loves to get his hair brushed. I guess he will be into fashions Yesterday night, I sat in front of DS, and my hubby sat behind him. DS gave us the brush and wanted me to brush his hair, and I gave it back to him when I was done. Then he gave the brush to my hubby and asked to be brushed. When Hubby was done, he gave it back to me. He went back and forth between the two of us in the same order for 5 minutes.

I found it fascinating that a 11-month-old grasps the concept of taking turns in an exact order!

Oh, no, no, it is retaught between 3-5. Over and over again. I don't think it's a matter of understanding--the concept itself is not hard--but a matter of having enough empathy to overcome the natural selfishness that kids (are supposed to) have.

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. I was saying that I don't think it's a matter of understanding. It seems to me that a very basic pattern like that--hand the brush to mom, then to dad, then to mom--would not be unusual in an infant. Likewise with playing ball or whatnot. Every baby I've ever played with has demonstrated an understanding of simple patterns. Of course, I'm not around ND babies all that often, but I'm pretty sure I've been around some.

Good to know, no5no5.

I have no concept of what's normal for an infant, and I can't talk to my friends about it afraid that they think I am bragging.

For example, it is normal for DS11mo to sit still for 15+ minutes while I am reading? Is it normal for DS to crawl to books instead of toys? Is it normal for DS to try putting lego together after I showed him once how lego works?

I have a million questions on my mind and can't share with others IRL. We started to wonder when DS' daycare ladies told us he picks up concepts very quickly. I assume daycare ladies know more than I do since they deal with a variety of children on a daily basis. Or I just like to think DS is special

Of course your DS is special--and that has nothing to do with whether and to what extent he is advanced. The fact that babies learn to make sense of the world is amazing just in itself.

As far as your specific questions are concerned, I think these are things that are primarily about temperament and interest. Granted, gifted kids may be more likely to be interested in books and legos, but that doesn't mean that the interest is necessarily abnormal. All our kids are different.

It's truly amazing to see how much babies can learn!



I guess I wasn't surprised that he likes books/legos. I am just surprised that he can sit still for 15+ minutes for anything, or that he keeps trying to put lego blocks together even though his fine motor skill isn't mature enough to do that yet.

Hi,

We had speech therapy for DS now 2.5 starting about 17 months because he didn't seem to be taking off talking (caught up suddenly at about 2). At one visit at about 18 months the speech pathologist, well trained in developmental norms, noted to me that it was extremely unusual that DS sat continuously interested while I read through a book that took about 10 min. So my guess is that yes it is unusual for a even younger child to be attentive to a book for that long.

The things you don't feel comfortable mentioning to other moms -- they are probably not the norm. But they may be normal for here.

Polly

The sitting still bit is the part I would attribute to temperament. I've known some ND (or even delayed) kids who would just sit and stare or do the same thing over & over for much longer than 15 minutes. I've also known gifted kids who can't sit still for anything.

I don't mean to keep shooting down what you are probably thinking of as signs of giftedness, but I think there's a good reason that IQ tests are rarely done on kids younger than 2 1/2, and generally aren't considered really reliable until 6 or beyond. I'm not saying that it's impossible to ID kids before that age, but for the most part we just have to wait and see.

Not trying to a pushy mom since I would be VERY happy if DS is just above the norm.

Off topic - I grew up with a gifted kid. He was doing calculus when I was learning multiplication table. Needless to day, he excelled academically, but he had no friend at all because no one can understand what he was talking about. Then I realized slightly smarter than normal would be optimal IMO. Now, of course I am happy that DS is healthy and kicking!

Hm. I was mathematically precocious (though secretive) and I had tons of friends. And I didn't do all that well academically, after grade school. I don't think it's as simple as HG=high achieving=friendless.