Most public schools have a gifted/talented program for kids that are advanced, so they can stay mainstream but utilize their abilities. If he is just a great reader then they can sometimes help other kids that are no so advanced. I know in my daughters kindergarten there were all sorts of levels of children as far as literacy. Some kids were well above their level, some way below. They broke the kids up into groups so they could all learn from each other. My daughter started kindergarten barely reading but a few words and went to a second grade reading level by the end of the year. She is not "gifted" but the program they did with her in Kindergarten really helped her excel. She is entering second grade knowing how to read at a third grade level. However like the other post said she also was behind in social skills since she was a young Kindergartener. So there are areas he can be helped if he stays in mainstream too. Boys are lacking behind in social development mostly even if they are advanced in a academic level. Is he excelled in math, science and all the other subjects? Being excelled in reading will help him and he can be in an advanced learners spot for reading but if he is equal in the other areas then he will really do well in staying with his peers.
I know that each year through Elementary my daughters schools try and test them before they start each new grade so the teacher has an idea where they are at and if they need assistance or are advanced. Just make sure the school you chose for him is equipped to help advanced learners.
Hi there!
My daughter, who is now 9, was a lot like that. She was reading at a third grade level (tested by the school) when she was four and was doing some basic multiplication/division the summer before kindergarten started. It is very challenging to have a child like this in many ways, so I understand your concerns. But is also incredible! We were very worried about how school would go and how her needs would be met. We talked a lot to the school (that's when we had the tests done - so they would believe us!) and they were great. She was put into a kindergarten class with a teacher who had more experience with gifted kids, who recommended she skip 1st grade and go right to second. We did that and it has been the best decision ever for her. She did have more behavior issues when she was bored, and I couldn't imagine what would've happened if we went ahead with 1st grade. I was afraid she would hate school. Anyway, she is going into 5th grade this year and is at the top of her class. The school also has her in some gifted ed classes and tries to individualize some of the lessons for her. We have had lots of talk time with all her teachers so far and I think that makes the difference. Don't be afraid to let any teachers know what works and doesn't work for your son - you are the expert on him! But you also have to take in their input - they will be spending a lot of time with him in a different environment than home - so their perspective is vital too. We also make sure to really feed Maddie's interests and creativity at home. Like this year, her class was studying planets - she was very interested in astronomy and wanted more than the class was learning. So we got her a telescope, spent time at the library, and went to "Star Parties" where she could talk with astronomers. We don't homeschool, but we do provide and look for lots of opportunites for her to go as far as she wants with learning.
I hope this helped. It is a blessing for both you and your son, but can be a hard gift to have! It can be very hard for other people to support you - they just don't always understand! I think a lot of people have thought my husband and I were just bragging, when we were really looking for some ideas, help, whatever. If you need that kind of support, I would love to talk more with you. Let me know.
I have 2 kids that started out like yours. I would recommend that for preschool stick with the play based! Then next year when he starts kindergarten put him in a GT program.(research the school district in your area)...and make sure his challenged.
At age 4, social skills are more important than academic. The little smarties will always be able to figure out the academic stuff but social skills are a little more difficult for them. No matter how smart kids are, what really makes them happy is the abillity to make friends get alone with other kids.
I'm a teacher. And I'm also the mother of a bright 5 year old. We all want to think our children are special --- whether it's academics, sports, arts, music, or whatever. And there is nothing wrong with that. But you also need to be realistic --- for your child's sake. It is not out of the ordinary for a 4-year-old to read. My son has been in preschool part-time as a 3-yr-old and 4-yr-old. He starts kindergarten as a 5-yr-old in the fall. He's doing a little math and reading some site words. He has friends that are reading books. We spoke to the preschool teacher about teaching reading to the group since so many were ready. She wouldn't because there were other kids who were not ready. I think the first thing you need to do is see how he compares to other children his age. If you still think he's gifted, have him tested by an expert (teacher, child psychologist, etc.). I think you are correct about your child being misdiagnosed with ADD. Many people suggest that when a child is not stimulated enough. Start researching schools in your area to find the best fit. You will want to find a teacher that differentiates instruction. That means she teaches to kids at all levels (gifted & talented, special needs, English language learners, etc.). I encourage you to enrich your child at home. I am personally not a big fan of homeschooling. I don't think it's good for the parent or the child. The child needs socialization and the parent needs a life beyond the child. Just my opinion. Congratulations on having a bright child. That's wonderful. Continue to be involved in your child's education. But allow your child to enjoy the experience of being in a classroom with other children his age. Best wishes.
My oldest was reading well before she turned 4 years old, and tested at the 5th grade reading level in kindergarten. We debated moving her ahead a grade but decided against it because she was already one of the youngest in her class (summer birthday.) We also looked at homeschooling her, but decided against it at that point because she really wanted to go to school. So we just sent her and held our breaths. She loved it. She had teachers who were willing to let her excel in her strong areas. She went to higher grade classes at reading times, and in other subjects she actually was very helpful to the teacher as a tutor for other kids (she is very nurturing.) We are very pleased with how she is doing. I'm sure that we could have found a private school or an internet school that would have really pushed her to the limits of her abilities, and we could easily see her finishing high school in her early teens and college by 20, but that kind of advancement really has a cost, in social relationships and in a quality childhood experience. We decided to let her really enjoy her childhood and school experience, and to be a kid. She will have plenty of chances to excel in school as she gets older, and I think her opportunities are almost as limitless in the track she is on as they would be on another, more accelerated course. She is going into 6th grade this year, the dreaded intermediate school jump. We are very involved in choosing her teachers and in her schoolwork, and we still discuss the possibility of homeschooling every year as we send her back to school, so maybe in the future we will keep her home if she ever shows any signs of being bored or has any problems with peers, etc. But we feel we made the right choice for her. It's a very personal choice, though. I just wanted you to hear from somone who didn't push their child as much as they probably could have, and are happy with that.
There is a charter school, Stargate, near 128th and Colo Blvd which serves gifted children in this region. I would call, have your son tested, so he can be placed in the appropriate preschool classroom. I beleive they serve preschool through 8th grade. Otherwise your son will continue to appear ADHD in the class, b/c he will be bored to death and left to entertain himself while the other children are being taught things he already knows.
I have been a kindergarten teacher for the last 3 years. First of all I have to say it was a GREAT move to put him in a play-based preschool - kids learn more by playing at this age anyway. As far as kindergarten, I agree with others who suggest talk to the teachers at the school so they understand his situation. But I would caution against advancing him in grade too soon. Many academically gifted children have delay in social or emotional development, and it is VERY important at this age for him to learn to get along with peers and manage his emotions -- especially if he is gifted. This may have something to do with his previous teacher's ADD assessment (most kids with ADD are also quite smart!) but I think it is definitely too early to diagnose and you know your child. I would also say, don't home school, again because of social/emotional development, but feel free to supplement at home so you know he is learning as much as you want him to.
Be an advocate for your child at school. Be involved in his classroom if you can. But don't be pushy about it, and be very willing to listen to what the teacher sees as well. That will help her to be on the same page as you.
My son is also 4. At his check-up, his pediatrician said he'd look into the resources available to gifted children in the area. He couldn't find any (in Boise). He suggested calling the GATE program and see what they suggest. I will also talk to the schools around here and see if they have some sort of accelerated kindergarten. We're stuck in a rental 'til Spring, so I havesome time to rsearch them before we buy a house.,
My friend's daughter was so boredd inn kindergarten thatshe would sob everyy morning..I'm really worried about thathappeningwith my boyss. My friend has really laid off the academic stuff with her other children sothey have something to learn in kindergarten. idon't push my boys, but they learn this on their own, and I'm notabout to try to hold them back.
My daughter is gifted. She's always been in regular schooling with children her own age up until now. The teachers have just always recognized this and supplemented her learning to keep things interesting for her. I also supplement for her at home...always have because that's what she likes. She's 7 now and starts a gifted program next week. She will be with other gifted children her own age.
I've been homeschooling my 4 children for 12 years now, and it's been an incredible journey. Each child is free to explore their own passions and move at their own pace without any pressure to be doing what others their age are doing - and yes, they often are far ahead of children their age simply because they can move at their own pace and are not bogged down with doing a lot of meaningless "busy work" and learning things simply to be able to pass a test. Why wouldn't you want to homeschool your child? I understand that it may seem overwhelming, however, there are many resources and groups in your community to support this choice. If you are interested in more information about homeschooling, please feel free to write to me offline - I'd be happy to discuss the subject with you in depth.
All children have unique gifts and talents - maybe one reads really well at a young age, perhaps another is incredibly artistic, and another is talented musically, and yet another has an incredibly scientific mind. The beauty of homeschooling is that each child can be treated as an individual and allowed to deeply explore what moves them and allows a natural unfolding of each individual's uniqueness. I have four children with distinctly different passions, talents and preferences, and each one of them has a different learning style. In my opinion, putting them into school where they are told day in and day out what to do and how to do it seems counterproductive.
Being advanced will help your son in a lot of ways, but it also requires a lot of work from you. I would encourage you to work with him on different skills where he may not be as advanced, that way he will be more well-rounded and also able to function within the classroom. It is so important that he not start out with a reputation for being unable to handle a classroom setting. This sets him up for all kinds of problems later on with peers, teachers, and his own self-image. Work with him on sitting quietly for periods of time, on following directions, listening respectfully, etc. While not academically stimulating, these skills will go a long way toward making him successful and will make teachers more willing to work with him. A big part of helping your child receive what he needs educationally will come from you, whether or not you home-school. If he is already advanced, you are probably doing a lot of these things in your home, but make everything into a learning activity. Cooking, shopping, gardening...anything you are involved in can be an opportunity to challenge him and will keep him learning. Gifted education differs from one school district to another and you will have to look into your specific district to see how they serve gifted children. When the time comes, I would recommend being very involved with the classroom and always look at your child's education as a team effort with you, the principal, and the teacher. My older children have all been academically advanced to one degree or another, and their teachers have been able to accomodate them in different ways. Some teachers are better able to work with gifted children, so a positive working relationship with the principal will go a long way toward having your child in a classroom equipped to handle his abilities. I hope this helps a little.
Rebecca,
I am an Education major and recently took a class on gifted and talented children. I am also a gifted and talented peron who was in the first g/t class in my town.
First, you should have your son tested. If he scores above 130 he will go into the gifted and talented program, if there is one in your area. In Cheyenne there are programs at Poineer Park and Afflerbach. The school can help you with getting your cild tested and seeing what kind of program he needs.
Second, if your son does have ADD don't be suprised. Many g/t kids have a "learning disability". They are twice exceptional, even more special. They can be helped by the schools.
Third, your child may be really good at reading at 2nd grade level but not be so good at math for example. They can still be in the g/t classes.
Fourth, you really need to consider the needs of your child first. Will he be okay with g/t kids? Will the advanced education make up for socil skills? There are a lot of things to consider.
I am willing to answer any of your questions that I am able to and if I can't answer them I can direct you to people who may be able to help you more.
Congrats!
There's an article about academically advanced children in the current issue of Wonder Time magazine you may find interesting. Best wishes!
Hi Rebecca,
My very gifted child is 24 next week. Having done this, I have a few observations.
1. Keep some perspective, just because he is brilliant at a couple of things doesn't mean he is at everything. There is a lot more to success in life that high verbal and logic IQ scores.
2. Find a good GT program (gifted and talented). All school districts are required by IDEA (federal law) to provide an appropriate education for ALL children. A great place to get information on this is the Council of Exceptional Children.
3. Don't discount the ADD theory out of hand. My gifted child suffers from both ADD and OCD. He "under performed" for years until we got a good diagnosis and therapy for him. He is so much better now. Teachers, because they see MANY children of te same age sometimes see things that are not apparent to the parent. I'm not saying she's right, but it might be worth considering if he has difficulty integrating into a school setting. Your pediatrician has some simple tests that can help.
4. Home schooling ought to be your last option. Your brilliant child needs all the socialization and opportunity to practice social skills he can get. The world can be a brutal place to the brightest. Having a peer group and lots of practice at working within the socail systems that he is going to have to negoitate as an adult is n important gift you can give him.
5. Give him opportunities to fail. Make him do some things he is not good at whether it be music or soccer or stepdancing. Having the expereince and frustrations that are experienced by "normal" kids will build empathy and perserverance. These are important skills for his future.
My gifted child has become a a fun and wonderful adult. I hope some of what we learned along our journey will help you with yours.
Happy trails,
Eva
Hi Rebecca,
I would check into Brain Integration Technique. You can google it or a local practitioners website that I have gone to in Fort Collins is www.openpathwaystolearning.com and also make sure that he is getting the proper nutrition he needs. :)
Hope this helps!
Robin www.myherblady.com
Rebecca, check out Beacon Country Day - it's a school geared or gifted & talented kids on Belleview near Monaco in Greenwood Village - it's a great place.
I know how you feel. My daughter is 5 1/2 and has been a "Prodigy" since she was 2. The best advice I can give you, is to concentrate on building her social skills and don't worry about her education yet. She needs to be able to play and socialize with children her own age. I was going to have my daughter skip kindergarten altogether, but on the advice of my doctor, I have decided to keep her in. If you find that your daughter is thriving to learn, teach her at home. Read with her, practice writing and spelling and all the things that she will learn in Kindergarten. That way she is still learning, but having fun at the same time. It will be a challenge, but in the end I think You will be glad you did. Good Luck
Hi there,for today reading at that level is not very uncommen, my daughter goes to Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy one of the best schools in the state of Colorado, she just finished kindergarden and there was 7 children in her reading group that could read fluent at the age of 3 they are all know at third grade level including my daughter and going into first only, they are also very high academically with math, and the school works and challenges them all the time.
I think your choice of a school for him is very important, and he will definitly not fit in a regular public school.
If you live in the area of Colorado Springs I would suggest to go and check the school out once it starts in the fall, you can also look at the comments on the web Greatschools.com
It is a great school and it meets all of our families standerds.
Good Luck
Im a dad, of an early reading child,my son began reading at age 2 and has progressed to a 2nd grade leve at age 4. I do not consider my son to be gifted or special, i attribute his learning growth to his own determination, and endless hours of support of his interest, books. I’ve experienced educators suggesting promoting him to first grade, the issue with that is at 4 years of age my sons social skills are that of a normal preschooler, I’ve heard in many cases these children are thought to have A.D.D, i think that’sa clinical term that means easily bored, if you’re boring you’re just boring, children are usally the first to point that out.