https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 04 May 2026 09:01:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing/page/2#post-1852927 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 09:07:27 +0000 Dandelion 1852927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't believe they test so early, there! D is going to be officially tested in our school district this year...2nd grade! I know that when he was 4, he showed some signs of gifted-ness, but I don't see how they can know for sure, until they perform regular school tasks for an amount of time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing/page/2#post-1852455 Sun, 07 Sep 2014 17:23:52 +0000 ChiCalGoBee 1852455@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rins72: I have to agree with what you said about the lack of reliability in testing too early. I taught kindergarten in a GT magnet school, and many of my students would go to be tested in kindergarten, which I felt was way too early. Many of them had been tested privately and been given the GT label, and then during the school tests did not identify as GT. I love this article which discusses testing at a very early age: <a href="http://nymag.com/news/features/63427/index1.html" rel="nofollow">http://nymag.com/news/features/63427/index1.html</a>. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing/page/2#post-1852450 Sun, 07 Sep 2014 16:56:58 +0000 Katrocap 1852450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.jacks: No advice to offer, just wanted to say good luck! The public schools in my area are very bad, so I understand how much getting into this school means to your family. I was in gifted from 1st grade on. I remember the test very clearly. One of the questions showed a picture of an Alpine girl (like Heidi) carrying water using a milkmaid's yoke. I had to explain what was happening in the picture. The examiner was amazed with my answer. I felt like a fake because my sister had a notebook with nearly the exact same picture on the cover and I loved to look at it and make up stories. That goes along with the comment @rins72 made about such tests being culturally biased and/or dependent on background knowledge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing/page/2#post-1852357 Sun, 07 Sep 2014 13:36:48 +0000 Maysprout 1852357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Playing games like memory, go fish, old maid might help. My lo loves memory game so we use it to help with reading and french lessons as well and she's very receptive to it since she likes that game. And those games could help practice being in test mode.<br /> I guess a bit off topic but what if your younger daughter gets into the g&amp;t program but your oldest doesn't? Ithat could be very hard for her to handle. My husband had this situation in his family and it lead to his brother being quite depressed. This was a high school and not an elementary school so maybe different. But it might be worth the extra money to send the girls to the same school that offers g&amp;t classes as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing/page/2#post-1852142 Sun, 07 Sep 2014 06:52:11 +0000 SugarplumsMom 1852142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AmeliaBedilia: @Snowdrop: From my understanding of the question, it's more about helping a gifted, yet perfectionist child pass a test she can easily answer when she's actually in the mood to answer the questions. The fact that the OP mentioned that she's already been admitted into another gifted program should provide more understanding to her question.</p> <p>This reminds me of when I had a very gifted student that was offered to participate in a short verbal competition. As his teacher, I knew he knew the answers. I've asked him similar questions before, and he can provide very detailed answers. But during the competition (I was 1 of the 3 judges) he froze. He just sat there and I could see his mind working, yet he didn't answer. I knew he could have easily won that competition and although the experience would help him the following year (where he would hopefully participate again), but by not answering, it cost his parents a year of scholarships. </p> <p>@Mrs. Jacks: My advice is to play a game with a time limit. Set a kitchen timer and devise an easy game that consists of drawing things and describing something. This will help her with just answering and hopefully, she learns that it doesn't all have to be perfect. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing/page/2#post-1852115 Sun, 07 Sep 2014 04:21:24 +0000 erinpye 1852115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think before judging what the OP is worried about, you have to understand gifted kids. You may not know that debilitating perfectionism is something many gifted kids struggle with. In such cases, familiarizing a gifted child with a situation so she may feel more at ease, isn't giving her a leg up, it's ensuring she is able to test at all. </p> <p>Gifted kids aren't better or more special than other kids. They perceive and interact with the world differently. They have a right to an education that fits their particular needs, just as do all children with any kind of special needs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing/page/2#post-1851998 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 20:50:22 +0000 rins72 1851998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a school psychologist. Just to comment on a couple things...one, if I'm re-evaluating a student who had their first cognitive test before the age of 7 or so, I always retest. While it's true that IQ doesn't usually change a whole lot, I think testing kids at a very young age is not especially reliable. </p> <p>Some tests are more language-based and culturally loaded than others. One part of cognitive ability (which is also highly associated with academic achievement) is crystallized knowledge, which is basically your store of "what" and "how to" information. Tests of this kind of ability are almost always very verbal, both on the examiner's end and in response required from the child. I think it's these kind of tasks that are most likely to be influenced by a child's upbringing and experiences. Children who have more life experiences and more language exposure are more likely to be able to answer questions like "What is this?" or "What does this word mean?" I'm not sure how you would make these kinds of tasks "fair" for students whose primary language is not English or who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Fortunately, I guess, this is only one part of cognitive ability.</p> <p>Also, we are extremely limited on what we can say when giving standardized assessments (like IQ tests). There are scripts we have to follow and specific statements or questions we have to stick to if the child does not understand the task or produces a certain answer. It's annoying sometimes, but it's the nature of standardized testing (though it sounds like many of you are talking about non-standardized tests). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851882 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:29:56 +0000 808love 1851882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: I was tested into a full time elementary GT class with no prep, like you. Seems like a very different world today with all of the test prep option$. But I remember I didn't know what a water pitcher was either. Only a baseball pitcher. We were on the low middle class side and always filled our water from a sink.<br /> ETA:<br /> Fit Brains for Kids: Sparky is a great educational app. I don't think it is specific to GT but as far as challenging brain exercises--it's engaging. It's a free app BUT $9.99 for an annual membership to unlock all levels. LO can get through it much quicker and doesn't need a year. But I like that the app breaks it into categories- speed, memory, problem solving and concentration. I take the 'age' labels with a grain of salt but it is fun to see LO's progress. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851861 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:13:01 +0000 Snowdrop 1851861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: that is ridiculous, I worked in theUK in primary education and it was accepted that you could explain a question to a child even on the national tests. Don't blame you for wanting to escape such a daft system! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851852 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 18:01:06 +0000 mrbee 1851852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: It's crazy but here in NYC, the test proctors aren't allowed to give any extra instructions - even if it's a basic misunderstanding! A few friends of ours had their kids fail the G&amp;T test completely because the kids didn't have any idea what the examiner was asking...</p> <p>I think that testing four year olds for being gifted is totally insane! It's a crazy system but in certain neighborhoods, it's the only way to get a good education in the public schools. We ended up having to move last year, to get access to a better school district that doesn't offer G&amp;T (so that everyone gets the same education). I vastly prefer this system - but we definitely have to pay for it in the form of higher rents and property taxes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851825 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 17:42:10 +0000 Snowdrop 1851825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I was more referring to when you said about her fear of failure paralysing her. And yes I agree about the 'there are no words' child, though I would consider that bad communication on the part of the examiner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851820 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 17:36:51 +0000 Applesandbananas 1851820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think the sports analogy is commensurate to test prep, unless you were hiring a private coach prior to tryouts...</p> <p>I also think letting the chips fall where they may is the better approach. We are in your shoes in terms of education (subpar public school option, G&amp;T, or private, which is $$$) so I understand the allure of test prep but for the concerns you've voiced here, it sounds like you could just talk to her about the test and ease her concerns. </p> <p>Our biggest reason for not pursuing test prep for our LO is because we want him in the right environment for his needs and teaching him how to pass the test to get into a G&amp;T school if he's not gifted is doing him zero favors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851773 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:35:53 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1851773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Snowdrop: I would not say she showed anxiety. She thought the penguin example was a trick or a trap so she didn't answer it. See my comment about the friend who's child said "there are no words" and refused to read the consonant combinations. Please also see my response to ameliabedelia above. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851769 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:27:18 +0000 Snowdrop 1851769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I have to agree with @AmeliaBedilia: here, especially if your daughter is already showing anxiety over these tests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851766 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 16:21:59 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1851766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AmeliaBedilia: I'm not trying to manipulate the test results. Why do you think that? We're not doing a course or tutoring. I wanted to find some questions so that she would know what they look like so that rather than refusing to engage, she might be willing to try. </p> <p>So you would say that if your kid was trying out for soccer or baseball that you should never introduce them to a ball, mitt, bat or any of the rules of the game?</p> <p>And why would you say that I'm not that happy with the school? We haven't attended it before and we'd prefer this program to the others that we're looking at. Our schools are underfunded, but the G&amp;T programs have adequate resources, which is why we're looking at public if we can do G&amp;T but private otherwise. We will go private if she doesn't test well and that's fine... But I'm not going to tie her hands behind her back and then go make her test. That's a set up for failure and seems kind of mean. If she understands what they are asking with the kind of games they are going to play, I think that is sufficient prep.</p> <p>Asking about a few free aps that have sample questions seems pretty harmless in the broad scheme of things. If you have further concerns about what's best for my daughter, I'd be happy to take it to our walls. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1851701 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 15:06:20 +0000 AmeliaBedilia 1851701@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: How is the rich kid situation in NYC that different than trying to manipulate the test results? You sound like a well-educated woman blessed with good financial resources, who is probably giving your children a good home environment. </p> <p>It seems like the testing might be causing your daughter some anxiety, and you haven't seemed that happy with the school. Why not either let the chips fall where they may on the testing, or if that is unacceptable, then cut some expenses to send her to a better school? I love saving money, but there are few things worth splurging on, and a child's education seems like something worth splurging on.</p> <p>Good luck figuring out the best plan for your daughter! :goodluck: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849966 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 21:35:35 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1849966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JennyG: my psych major was a long time ago, so maybe I'm rusty, but I thought one of the criticisms of IQ testing is that it is highly dependent on SES and that kids placed into enriched environments show significant changes to their IQ testing? And yeah, not a status symbol for us, but I admit, a lot of this is about frugality for me!</p> <p>@mrsjazz: I totally agree. I hate that the rich kids in NYC afford the test prep and get an enriched environment at home and then are disproportionately represented in G and T programs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849929 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 21:13:07 +0000 matador84 1849929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can give you a ton of info. Ill wall you. @mrsjacks </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849877 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:46:42 +0000 JennyG 1849877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>To truly be identified as gifted, it is based on IQ which most psychologists agree does not really change throughout one's life. In the district where I teach, parents push for their children to be tested at a young age not to give that child access to a more enriching education, but as a status symbol. (I am no way saying you are doing this.) We as teachers have really pushed for testing to happen later to really identify gifted students and not just those with rich vocabulary or extensive life experiences. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849824 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:22:09 +0000 mrsjazz 1849824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. I just have an issue with the push for G&amp;T and parents seemingly pushing their kids towards it because it means a better education--that's not what it should be. Like I said, not every child is "gifted and talented" and those children in the other classes should receive a great education, too. I could go off on a longer tangent about education, especially in NYC, but that's for another discussion! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849804 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:10:19 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1849804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: I think you've pinpointed a real issue. Once kids get in, they're in... So you might have some kids that are struggling... But if a few kids who have a strong work ethic slip through, is that necessarily a bad thing? If it's most, then that's obviously a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849788 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 20:05:32 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1849788@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: while I agree with your premise, you can have the most gifted kid in the world but if they freeze because they've never seen something before and are unwilling to try at it, then you aren't getting an adequate test for that child. And that is the reason to practice. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849702 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 19:30:38 +0000 mrsjazz 1849702@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's the thing: not every child is gifted. Some children are just well prepared, but I hear that things usually even out, when those children that are well-prepared but not "gifted" start to lag behind.</p> <p>I've read a lot about the test. I wasn't tested, just switched to a gifted program. LO will take the test, but our zoned school (which doesn't have a gifted program) is rated much higher than the school with a gifted program. There's also a new school opening a block away from us and we are not sure if they will have a gifted program yet.</p> <p>That being said, I think that if you are going to test your child, it is important to learn the test, just like you do when you are taking the GRE or SAT. For right now I've looked at what children are tested on and since LO is only two we practice patterns and the relationship between things. We won't sign her up for a private tutor or anything like that, but we may try an app. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849638 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 18:50:29 +0000 Espion 1849638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no advice, but does anyone remember "a baloo is a bear"?! </p> <p>I remember most of the testing I went through in school, I was much, much older (or at least old enough to remember it), and it was based on comprehending nonsense things (as above) and showing a modicum of imagination. I remember at least one with just a blank page with a couple of lines, and I had to draw a picture incorporating the lines and make up a short story. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849636 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 18:47:32 +0000 jedeve 1849636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: @Mrs. Train: apparently when I was tested for G&amp;T I said Magellan discovered America. Obviously I was wrong but I think I should've gotten bonus points for knowing Magellan was a person when I was five!</p> <p>If the test is based more on aptitude than knowledge, I would just say try and get her used to the idea of what the testing environment will be like. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849563 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 18:02:53 +0000 Dandelion 1849563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your kid is either G&amp;T or they're not. There may be some prep you can do, but you can't really fake it. If they're borderline, the extra apps and stuff could help. If they're gifted (or not), they don't need it. It's more than what facts they know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849282 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:39:21 +0000 erinpye 1849282@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Jacks: Ohhh I'm going to save that to read! It's an extremely difficult task to navigate parenting and educating a gifted kid. A lot of people, if not most, don't realize it's a brain thing, and truly a special need that's as important as any other. Often even educators can't tell the difference, and place a very bright, high-achieving kid who tests well in a talented and gifted program, and the kid with the gifted mind who is bored and acting out, gets medicated.</p> <p>Eta: someone at the school I mentioned noticed my daughter doing some extraordinary things at a public art fair, and asked me about her. But, rapid-fire quiz her, and even if she knows, her willingness to participate varies. That's why I can totally understand this kind of testing is stressful, especially for a perfectionistic child. Crossing my fingers for you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849281 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:38:40 +0000 plantains 1849281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am following this too because I am hope for the holy grail - a city-wide G&amp;T spot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849263 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:26:23 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1849263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: That sounds like an ideal scenario! If we knew that was going to happen, we wouldn't prep at all either, because I know she can demonstrate the appropriate tasks in her own time when she's really comfortable.</p> <p>Here's an interesting article I just ran across:<br /> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/nyregion/new-york-city-schools-struggle-to-separate-the-gifted-from-the-just-well-prepared.html?pagewanted=all&#038;_r=0" rel="nofollow">http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/nyregion/new-york-city-schools-struggle-to-separate-the-gifted-from-the-just-well-prepared.html?pagewanted=all&#038;_r=0</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/gifted-and-talented-testing#post-1849252 Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:14:38 +0000 erinpye 1849252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We won't prep. At the school we love, which alas is not free, they do a teacher eval, cognitive assessment by a psychologist on their list (I think they use the Wechsler), and then pure observation. They understand gifted mind doesn't necessarily mean "tests well," but they actually have brains that work differently and are often asynchronous in development. Again, LOVE this school. I hope your LO gets in- it's so important to educate kids in a way they personally thrive! </p>