Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment is this gifted?

Wow, lots of information. She is young for the grade she is in now and what I would consider not mature enough to go to 2nd grade, on top of that she is small and cute so all the kids pick her up ,something she does not like...I would think that might be more of a problem if the kids were even bigger. Sounds like I need to do the other testing to see where her LOG is?

I'm sorry I'm doing a couple of things at the same time so I keep missing the new comments...she is currently in 1st grade

Martial Arts. Her size and cuteness is the pretext. The precipitating factors are her stance, her tone of voice, lots of nonverbal cues are saying 'it's ok, go ahead.'

Talk to the teacher. This is not acceptable!

She is likely to be small and cute for her whole life, and she needs to learn to project a large and solid presence.

I don't think that older kids are more likely to do it, although I get that the size difference would be even more striking. I think that older kids would be more likely to control themselves, and if she had one 'big kid' ally, it would stop.

Basically I would visit various classrooms and see what the teachers and students are like. It's easy to think your kid is immature if you are comparing her to adults. Some time in older classrooms might change your mind - or reinforce your opinion!

I agree that getting a fix on LOG is a great next step.
Love and More Love,
Grinity

I'm really surprised the teacher is letting other kids pick her up, too. Particularly when she objects, but there's a big safety issue there. (My DD7s best friend is a towering 9yo a good 6" taller than DD. BF picks up DD when they're playing together, because they both think it's fun. About 10% of the time, both kids end up toppling over.)

Assuming your district doesn't require mid-year skips, and assuming that your DD is not complaining, my vote would be "wait and see," particularly because your DD is doing fine socially. I know mine had a huge jump in maturity level at about 6.5, and yours may, too.

As far as maturity level goes, though, I will say that my DD is perceived by adults (including experienced teachers) as being mature. But what they mean is the "can handle older-kid classroom expectations" type of maturity. Older-kid little-girl drama has been a big issue for us, because she is not particularly mature in that respect. I'd anticipate that would be an issue for a kid who's being physically handled against her will, too. Not that older kids would pick her up (I agree that they'd be more likely to control themselves), but that they'd do different things that she wouldn't like.

Let us know what the Tester advises!
Is there anyway to get 'enrichment' on weekends and afterschool?
You say that she isn't out of place socially - does she have friends?
Best Wishes,
Grinity

Thank you so much for all your advise, I appreciate it so much. When I do the consult I will ask about doing the other testing..And I'll let you know what the tester advises

I do have her is taekwondo she is currently a yellow belt, the teacher was the one who let me know she was getting pick up by the other students. She had spoken to them that this was not allowed because of safety issues, but it still happens.

I do things with her at home for enrichment she likes workbooks and likes to read a lot, not sure if you mean something different than that. She does have friends and makes them easily , she loves helping the other kids in her classroom with their work when she is done with hers.

thanks again..

That's awesome that your DD has friends and makes them easily in her current grade! It's nice to be coming from a place where, at least, your child is happy. Any chance she would be just as able to make friends and fit in with the older kids? I ask because my two kids also had a ton of friends in their more age-appropriate grade, but when they were grade and subject accelerated they just as easily made friends, only then they actually felt like they truly fit in and stopped hiding their academic abilities. Is that a possibility with your DD? Does she have a chance to be with older kids in any of her activities or free time? Does her maturity level change to reflect the environment that she's in (does she act like a 6-year-old with 6-year-olds and like an 8-year-old with 8-year-olds?)?

((red face)) So much for that advice! Seriously, I would talk to the teacher again, and start looking for another studio. If the teacher's word isn't LAW, then what other unsafe things will be allowed 'in the corners' as the kids get stronger. Around here the whole point of Martial Arts is self disipline.

Glad to hear she has friends - a bit worried that she is enjoying 'help them with their academics' - of course that is a naturally fun activity, but it's not natural, unless at least 20% of the class does this as well. I wish I could put this into works better, but ....the ideal is for kids to be close enough to the main bulk of the others that they can have peer relationships, not helper-helpee relationships.

Enrichment can be many things - workbooks, books to read at her readiness level, discussions over a meal or a walk, telling stories about your childhood, visits to museams, clubs or lectures. In some locations there are 'saturday or afterschool' classes in topics that appeal to bright kids. I've heard it call 'Being an Opportunity Maker' for your child to try a lot of activities and see what she loves to do. Sometimes 'American Girl Doll' clubs end up teaching a lot of history. Check your local library for book clubs. My cousin goes with his son to a 'parent-child' book club at his local library.

Love and More Love,
Grinity