Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources Gifted 4yr old...need help

My daughter is four and have the intelligence of a 6 to 7 yr old child. She is able to read and understand, write and spell her name, her mothers name, her fathers name, she knows her address zip code and all, her phone number, her dad's and mom's cell numbers, shapes, color, sign, a little spanish, reading and understanding, some math etc etc...my problem is that she is not challenged and is now telling me that she is bored. I am in dying need of finding a gifted school/program that will help me help her. She is already reading and filling in and doing cross word puzzles. She is continuously on the computer and plays any video game you can think of. dont get me started on her memory..amazing... I need help and if there is anyone out there with any resources please let me know. concerned mom. thanks

SWTP

Welcome to the board! Your daughter certainly sounds like a bright little one who loves to learn.

I think you'll find that most of us here have been or are in your situation, so you will find a lot of good information. There are many archived posts here that will most likely be of interest and, luckily, this is a very active board that usually answers posts quickly and well.

Is your daughter currently in school of any sort? Are you looking toward K next year? Are your concerns primarily academic or social as well? What kinds of information are you looking for? Let us know and we'll do our best to help!

Thank you very much for your respond. Yes she is currently in public school and already she is telling me that she is bored and she is tired of jumping up and down. she wants to learn so bad but unfortunately public school do not believe in a child being advance. she does no work let alone home work, she knows what i teach her or what she picks up on her own. I invest in the teacher store, buy almost all the materials for the first grade and putthem all over my house, thats good for her because she goes around and solve things. she is very good at cross word puzzles so i buy her them. I am just afraid that she will give up on school early if she is not challenged. any suggestions out there will be greatly appreciated. thank you for the welcome. I am confused and at a lost. I tried Board of Ed but as you can see I am here asking for help so you must know how that went. thanks again

SWTP-
I can tell you our state's board of education hasn't been directly helpful when I've needed individual help. Although it is very valuable to use them as a resource for your state's laws and overall attitude toward gifted education.
These links can help you too-
http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/StatePolicy.aspx

State of the States in Gifted Education


Have you considered getting her formally assessed? -this can be done by a private tester or through the school (your state's board of ed can clarify this for you too). We had our eldest son tested shortly before his 4th birthday when we finally couldn't take it anymore. No one was taking us seriously at schools and we couldn't figure out how to proceed without "proof" of his intelligence. Our advocating was certainly bolstered by having test scores. Just as a warning- testing young is full of issues and you will need to test again.

Also, search this site for a list of book recommendations to help you. As a starter book, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children by Webb is a great one and has lots of information for parent's of young kids like your DD.

Good luck!

SWTP
I am also new to this forum and I have a son age 7 who is remarkable. My school as well doesnt believe in advancing their students.So far we have been lucky and he has enjoyed school tremendously. I do believe he likes to social aspect more. we are a family of five children all older than he except one who is 5. He gets lots challengs living in our home. But recencently has shared with us school is getting in the way of his learning.
I have recently spoke to a learning center in my area who will assess him and find out where he he is accademically. Then will make an appointment with his teachers and help me avocate for him a little better. Also reqest in writing that you would like your dd6 to be assest. Good Luck

This certianly does happen to many children. I would suggest that you first schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss it. Bring in a little collection of the worksheets your DD is doing at home and show the teacher what your DD is doing on her own. (I would also by some 2nd and 3rd grade workbooks and half hide them. Just to see what level she is actually at.)

If the teacher tells you that nothing really can be done, you can say, 'I see that you are want what is best for my child, but that it can't be done inside your classroom. Do I have your support to take this challenge to the Principal and see if my daughters needs can be met in some other way?'
Go home and write an email, ccing the Principle, saying: I want to thank you for meeting with me, and I was hoping that you could read this email and make sure that I understood correctly what you were trying to communicate to me. First xxxx, then xxxx, then xxxx, finally xxxxx.

Then schedule a visit with the Principal. Bring a written and printed request to have your daughter placed into the first grade classroom ASAP.

Unfortunately this will take 2-3 weeks minimum, so be sure to plan afterschool and weekend learning adventures. Try audio books that are aimed at much older kids, I'm thinking 'Gregor the Overlander' for some reason.

While you are waiting, join your state gifted association (google your state name and gifted association) and call the contact number and see if anyone knows of any private schools that have been useful to families of gifted, and if there are any enrichment programs. Keep us posted,

Grinity

Thank you all so much for the valuable information and I have spoken to her teacher before but she told me that she does not believe for her age its wise to have her skipped. she says she believe that kids should not be skipped and that they should stay on their levels. dont get me wrong, she is a nice lady and a good teacher for kids that are at that stage but my daughter is too advance and with her telling me that she is bored is an early warning. I also was a gifted child and I was doing great in my country because when you are advance they put you forward. When I came to america I was 14yrs old and already at college level. I was to take a standard text to get into high school as pass it with flying colors but the principal told me that she could only put me in the nineth grade because of my age. I stuck it out till the tenth grade but after awhile of doing the same thing over and over again I just gave up. Not saying it was a wise thing to do but it seemed like the only thing to do because no one would listen to me. I am trying my best to not have my child reach the same faith and this is why I am pushing hard to be there for me because my mother or father was not there for me when I needed them. Thank you guys so much for your concerns and knowledge and I will keep you updated. I found a school(private) that seem to have potential so I am going to give it a try. Thanks again and God bless you all.

I would still set up a meeting with the teacher and procede as outlined above. It's fine that the teacher says 'oh, I think grade skips are bad' - just be sure that you have a meeting with her and INFORM her that you are going to speak to the principle. When she says: "Oh I don't think you should go to the Principal" - you say: "I appreciate your concern, but this something I just have to do."
Then send the email, then set up the meeting. You would be amazed how people say 180 degrees opposite of what they have been saying, and then act like we misunderstood them all along. Fine, just so long as you DD gets accomidated.

Keep checking out private schools, but be sure to observe. Given your history, a school for 'optimally gifted kids' may just not be enough. Flexibility and the ability to see a childs academic readiness is key.

Best Wishes,
Grinity

Thank you so much everyone especially Grinity, I will definately give what you suggest a try, lets see how it works out. I have actually spoken to the principal before but all in all see feels that the teachers decission is whats best for the children, since they ( the teachers) are always around the children. I never thought of bringing her work to the teacher but I will definately do that. thank you so much and where were you guys all this while..lol. when I was trying to get her help from she was two yrs old..lol. I am happy to have found this sight and look forward to helping and seeking more. Thank you guys so much and GOD bless you all.