Hellobee Boards Topic: Do you think your child is gifted?

Hellobee Boards Topic: Do you think your child is gifted? https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 07:16:55 +0000 mrsjyw on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted/page/2#post-1429135 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 13:03:44 +0000 mrsjyw 1429135@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nope. I think he's bright and smart and clever. I don't think he's gifted. tlynne on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted/page/2#post-1429129 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 13:02:29 +0000 tlynne 1429129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ It really depends on what your definition of "gifted" is. I am a specialist in gifted/talented education. My 2 yr old son is extremely bright; he might very well be gifted, but maybe not. Either way, as long as his cognitive needs are being met, it really doesn't matter...at this age it's just a label. If you want to support an advanced child, or want activities that challenge ANY toddler/preschooler try looking into Montessori or Waldorf-inspired materials. They are engaging, enriching, and genuinely appealing. Purpledaisy on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted/page/2#post-1429036 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:35:53 +0000 Purpledaisy 1429036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I love her buutttttt no. :silly: bpcmarj on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted/page/2#post-1428990 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:23:51 +0000 bpcmarj 1428990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think she is very smart, but I have never thought of having her tested. We will see when she gets older, but for now, ahe is just advamced in language and it is what it is. lovehoneybee on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted/page/2#post-1428958 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:12:57 +0000 lovehoneybee 1428958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't think so. At 18 months he knows most of his letters (can verbally and physically identify them). His receptive language is fantastic, so ditto to @cascademom: on waiting on a language explosion. Maybe I'll think he's gifted if he suddenly starts solving fraction equations at 3 or something ;) But otherwise, no, I don't think he's gifted. That said, I was in a GT program when I was in elementary school, which ultimately funneled into AP classes in HS. I left the program when we moved to a different state (and enrolled in Honors classes instead of AP), but I have great memories of the GT program in elementary school. It gave me the challenge that I wasn't getting from my normal classes (and we did really fun stuff like spend the night at a state aquarium or build a classroom sized Egyptian tomb). If I feel that E isn't being challenged I would have him tested, but probably not because I thought he was actually gifted, but that because, like me, he might benefit from the extra stimulation. looch on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428941 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:06:05 +0000 looch 1428941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Heck yes, my son is brilliant! He counts in three languages and understands the abstract component of numbers ( what two represents, not just identifying the number). But then, he doesn't get what he wants and dissolves into a tantrum in the corner. In all seriousness, if you have a genius, you know. And I know my son is smart, but not a prodigy of any sort. cascademom on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428921 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:00:59 +0000 cascademom 1428921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No, I don't think so. He seems on track for his milestones. He understands words and language, but is coy about talking at daycare. At home right now, he's just full of letters and sounds not necessarily a lot of words. I'm waiting on a huge language explosion for him. He knows the words, but won't say them. I keep working on it with him. He's smart, but I don't think gifted. I kind of roll my eyes at some couples we know who wave the gifted flag for their kid. I think they're special snowflakes raising a little special snowflake. Mae on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428518 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 09:21:17 +0000 Mae 1428518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My kid kicks in fibonnacci sequences so….. lol Honestly I don't know if we'll have her tested if it turns out that we think she's advanced or whatever. I don't really understand the distinction between high achieving/gifted people? Also I don't know if it matters if she is. I was… whatever. I was doing multiplication and division at 4 years old. It was pretty clear initially that I was more advanced than anyone else in my classes without putting in any effort. They tried giving me extra work in 1st-2nd but that wasn't enough and I was bored so then they skipped me into 4th. My mom wouldn't let them test me for the gifted program for 4th grade because she thought I'd already be the weirdo who skipped a grade I didn't also need to be one of the nerdy gifted kids. But then it was still clear I was bored so they started bussing me to the high school for math when I was in 5th grade. And things basically went on like that-- it would be pretty clear what I needed even though there was no testing and the school/my parents found ways to challenge me. But the thing is-- I still don't know that any of it mattered? I guess it sort of kept me out of trouble because I didn't goof off as much since I wasn't quite so bored, but I was still a total slacker and it just wasn't my personality to like school or put in any effort. And even though things come easily to me academically I don't enjoy it or consider myself an academic so when I went to college I did not pursue math like my parents/teachers begged me to and instead did a degree in sociology and now I have a perfectly uninteresting and not particularly impressive job because being "smart" doesn't matter to me. I guess my point is…. just because your kid IS smart or gifted or whatever doesn't' mean that using those talents is going to make them happy. Or that they should necessarily have some big impressive career some day. I always sort of resented that everyone thought I HAD to be something so impressive because I was smart, whereas I sort of just want normal stuff… house, family, career in art. I hope that I'll challenge my kid in whatever way she needs to be challenged but even if she IS gifted I hope I won't push her into thinking she has to be some traditionally "impressive/successful" person just because she COULD be if that doesn't make her happy. T.H.O.U. on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428507 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 09:17:36 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1428507@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I will probably do what my parents did which was test before going into Jr. high. In Jr. High our classes were picked based on our "gifted" status so we got the honors classes and got put on a more advanced course (geared toward college etc). yoursilverlining on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428498 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 09:15:24 +0000 yoursilverlining 1428498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My daughter is verbally advanced, and I am truly amazed by the amount of imagination and empathy she shows at only 20 months. She seems compassionate and intellectually curious beyond her age – but truly gifted? Far too early to tell; and likely no. We definitely have educational expectations for her, and will do everything to foster a love of learning and love of education - - which doesn’t necessarily correlate to having her tests into G&T or pushing to skip grades as I think too much pushing can turn learning into a chore. Although, I also would be interested in her taking tests if they could really benefit her or help her get ahead. We'll try to walk the fine line between making sure she is sufficiently challenged academically and being a "tiger mom" :silly: So, I don’t know what we’ll do yet! loveisstrange on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428438 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 08:31:20 +0000 loveisstrange 1428438@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Way too early to tell but I will get her tested once it comes to that point. I was in G&T programs from elementary school (2nd grade) on and I think that they helped my education immensely. I was absolutely one of those smart kids who acted out because I was bored and not being challenged academically. regberadaisy on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428434 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 08:26:58 +0000 regberadaisy 1428434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Silva: I totally agree. There are a lot of really really smart kids and I think that accounts for 98% of kids in G&T programs. Are they truly "gifted"? Doubtful. Silva on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428400 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 07:55:26 +0000 Silva 1428400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ So my understanding is that meeting milestones early has no significant correlation with higher IQ, with the exception of early verbal development. But even early verbal development + higher IQ tends to even out by the time the person is in early adulthood (like college aged). If a person is significantly delayed in multiple milestone areas that can be indicative of a lower IQ, but the opposite is not true. (this is based on very basic, simple google research- so someone who knows differently feel free to correct me). I think truly "gifted" people, in the genius sense of the word, are few and far between. My husband and a good friend from college both quality for Mensa, and it is clear that their brains work differently than mine. Its pretty remarkable at times to "watch" them think. I'm a pretty smart, well educated person but I'm not a genius (or even close). I have absolutely no idea if my daughter will be "gifted" or not in the "genius" sense of the word. I know that she has the privilege of being born into a family where everyone has gone to a top tier college (and most people have a masters or beyond), a family where we read to her and talk to her a lot, and a family where we encourage and expect excellence in education. I have no idea what her "natural" abilities are, but by nurture I anticipate she will at least do reasonably well in school. I would only push for testing if I felt she wasn't being supported or challenged in her schooling, and I wasn't able to get her needs met through other avenues (meeting with teachers, additional tutoring, etc.). I don't want her to have to take extra tests, and I don't want her to be labeled in anyway. SugarplumsMom on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428351 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 03:36:12 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1428351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Is it crazy that my first thought was yes? She's only 19 months and isn't talking much, but I think she's gifted at something. She has an uncanny ability to kick DH's face while turning around and having her little butt in mine, for instance! Hehe! If she was truly "gifted" I don't believe in tests and advanced programs until she's a LOT older, anyway. Children's minds are supposed to be advance in different paces. A "genius" 2 yr old's mind may not continue to learn at that pace at age 8. Their little brains are simply immature. I think the experts say it's closer to when kids' reach 3rd grade that the tests are more reliable. anonysquire on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428340 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 02:42:37 +0000 anonysquire 1428340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Any kids that come from my husband and I will have atleast half a case of the donkey brains. So no. StbHisMrs on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428294 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 01:03:39 +0000 StbHisMrs 1428294@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My almost 12 year old is an extremely advanced reader and has been since he was 5. It can be a blessing and a curse, he attends a charter school which does not offer TAG , thankfully. When he was going to public school he was in TAG and didn't care for it. He's average in math, history, and science, he's a talented writer as well. My 2.5 year old can repeat the alphabet and count to 10 by repeating after you ;) She's pretty gifted in the shrieking and tantrum department! HLK208 on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428292 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 01:01:48 +0000 HLK208 1428292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ No, but both are very intelligent and interested in learning! I'm always blown away by the stuff that DS remembers. My family thinks he's gifted but I think I'm more critical than they are. sunny on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428261 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:18:49 +0000 sunny 1428261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @sandy: C has always impressed me with how much she knows! My LO is now 18 months and can't do any of that yet. sarac on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428259 Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:16:36 +0000 sarac 1428259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My daughter (29 months) is pretty advanced verbally. I'm really glad, actually. Her father and I are pretty verbal people, and it's been very useful in our adult lives. tysonja on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428234 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:49:53 +0000 tysonja 1428234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @sandy: just wanted to say that i think it's really cool all the things that your LO is able to learn at a young age! that's definitely ahead of the curve :). it's great to be curious! my LO seems about average at the moment! hehe :) i don't really care too much about gifted etc for my LO's, but i do care that my LO will be challenged appropriately and the bar will be set not too high not too low, wherever he ends up going to school/learning. i hope he is always able to enjoy reaching for his potential, whatever it may be :) NurseMommy on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428221 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:37:32 +0000 NurseMommy 1428221@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nope. She's only nine months, but I highly doubt it. sandy on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428216 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:31:33 +0000 sandy 1428216@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think it is so tough to say when they are really little. My husband was super smart even as a young child... He would finish the math book for the year the first week of school and would be given an encyclopedia to read in class a lot of the time. School was much better for him when he was put into a G&T program. If I get a sense that my child is not being challenged I will absolutely get him/her tested. My LO is only 2 years 3 months but people have been telling me she is exceptionally smart since she was 18 months. At 18 months knew all her letters (like you could point to a letter and she would tell you what it was), she knew all kinds of colors (like silver, grey, gold) and could identify all kinds of shapes like diamond, pentagon, octagon, etc. And now she knows all kinds of sight words (the, on, is, has), knows all her phonics, and can read 50+ simple words (cat, rag, pet, dog, etc). She's doing 28-34 piece puzzles and has an incredible memory). Her teachers are always telling me how advanced she is but she is very much a playful silly child and doesn't come across as gifted...just very curious. When it becomes clear that she isn't being challenged in school we will get her tested but not any earlier than that I think googly-eyes on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428192 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:14:19 +0000 googly-eyes 1428192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I think at 17 months it's too early to tell. She probably talks more than other kids her age but whether that's a sign of anything...who knows? DillonLion on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428189 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 23:10:45 +0000 DillonLion 1428189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nope, but my grandmother (LOs great grandma) is totally convinced that she is :) Sparkler on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428147 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 22:30:31 +0000 Sparkler 1428147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't really understand what "gifted" means, but maybe it's because I live in an area where going to an ivy league school is pretty common. I don't think I would look into any sort of testing unless they exhibited some crazy skill (like composing orchestrations at 5 :wink: ). wonderstruck on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428116 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 22:11:49 +0000 wonderstruck 1428116@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Yes, my eight month old is a GENIUS. He turns the pages correctly without even being prompted when I'm reading to him. Clearly he's on his way to Harvard or Yale. Haha...kidding, obviously. Although I did graduate from high school with one of those rare kids who was a genius but also had pretty good social skills and was friendly with lots of us despite being significantly younger. Sapphiresun on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428100 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 22:02:23 +0000 Sapphiresun 1428100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ My six month old still can't roll over... so I'm guessing, no. Just kidding, who knows at this age. CupQuakeWalk on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428098 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 22:01:53 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 1428098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Nope! I think he's very intelligent and I know he will do fine but I not into the whole "gifted testing" thing. I DO want to always push his limits and encourage success, but let that be level appropriate. Weagle on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428094 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 21:58:34 +0000 Weagle 1428094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I don't know. She is advanced for her age, but we'll have to see how things level out as she gets older. @mrsjazz: Haha! Same for me. I think I lost my gifted ness in college - or I just stopped feeling so pressured to be gifted. ETA: We will probably have her tested if we're still loving here when she's in elementary school. The TaG program is better. If we move, she will only get tested if it's recommended. Mrs. Taco on "Do you think your child is gifted?" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-think-your-child-is-gifted#post-1428062 Sun, 16 Feb 2014 21:44:02 +0000 Mrs. Taco 1428062@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @twoofeverything: Totally get what you're saying and agree. As a teacher, the majority of my 'gifted' students are just really dedicated and high achieving, rather than that much more intellectually advanced than others. I try not to think about these things, and just let LO grow as she may. I would be very happy if she was simply dedicated and excited about learning.