How to tell if a child is gifted?

[daisyt]

tamarind:

Remember that what defines giftedness, is not how much the child already knows. It is how quickly and easily she can learn new things on her own, without the need to be taught. A gifted child only needs resources, not teachers.

Oh really! I definately having a misconception about the defination of giftedness. One question, \"how quickly and easily she can learn new things\" - I guess it applies to certain things and not ALL things, right. Because if its ALL things, they should be classified as genius. :?

[tamarind]

daisyt:

tamarind:

Remember that what defines giftedness, is not how much the child already knows. It is how quickly and easily she can learn new things on her own, without the need to be taught. A gifted child only needs resources, not teachers.

Oh really! I definately having a misconception about the defination of giftedness. One question, \"how quickly and easily she can learn new things\" - I guess it applies to certain things and not ALL things, right. Because if its ALL things, they should be classified as genius. :?

I will only call someone a genius, after he/she has developed something that will truly benefit all of mankind.

I find it strange for anyone to call a child a genius. Giftedness does not mean genius. It just means that a child has the ability to learn new things much faster than others, and they do so effortlessly. Yes it does not apply to all things.

[Blobbi]

tamarind:

I will only call someone a genius, after he/she has developed something that will truly benefit all of mankind.

I find it strange for anyone to call a child a genius. Giftedness does not mean genius. It just means that a child has the ability to learn new things much faster than others, and they do so effortlessly. Yes it does not apply to all things.

Absolutely. To me, \"genius\" is after the fact, ie, after some fantastic discovery or such differentiated thinking that will change the lives of human beings or change the way we think. Like Einstein, changing how we view time, space and energy, or even Michael Jackson (to me) when he reached out to millions/billions of people through music.

[Blobbi]

sunflower2005:

2ppaamm

as your question my husband and I is just a lower class people. We are just holding our diploma level only.
and the rest of the family some don even studies secondary sch.

So far I have not thinking of IQ tested, because our financially can effort to spend.. IQ tested also not cheap in singapore.

the thing I can do is explode her at home.. get her a lot of material to read with no cost.

She also quite talent in music . now she can do her own music rap songs.
but is a funny one

Sunflower2005, pls don't say \"lower class people.\" Your kid is obviously very smart, so now worries. The good thing about Singapore is, we can always try to make more $ because there are many opportunities here.

You daughter sounds amazing, right down to the rap music! I think I read on kiasuparents - can go to the polyclinic to get a referral for IQ test. You might want to try this as the cost is cheaper. Like tamarind says, you can develop her at home, or if you need help, you can see if she fulfills the criteria for Exceptional Giftedness. MOE can help.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/gifted-education-programme/faq/exceptionally-gifted/

Good luck!!

[2ppaamm]

lovekidsverymuch:

thanks 2ppaamm for consolation!!

I am not consoling you. I am sincere. It doesn't mean that early developers will become great in school. There are some that develop slower, and learn faster in school and go on to top the school.

If you had been hothousing your kid, he should be miles further, but I wouldn't do that, because it will kill his interest in learning in P1 and above. Consequently, he will be bored and behavioral issues will set in. Which would you rather have? Given the kind of mother you sound to me LKVM, I know you will help him along in P1 and above. He will do well. And he will do even better than those that started earlier. At least that's my observation.

Not trying to suan you lah!

[autumnbronze]

2ppaamm:

autumnbronze:

You see, I believe that because they are gifted, they can still thrive in EL or CL (if they lack in either one or any of the the lang skills) when they are given the opportunity, no matter when. They will pick it up by listening, interacting and thru exposure to reading, and v quickly too. Thats the edge they have compared to the others.

Yes, a gifted child must be exposed to stimulus where his giftedness is given the opportunity to develope, but it doesn't always have to start in the academic or in a specific lang area . And a gifted child can only be identified young if the parents are aware what signs to look out for.

Ultimately, the attainment of lifeskills should complement the need to further nurture a child who has been identified/thought of as gifted.

Wah, you summed up my views better than me leh... :goodpost: :goodpost:

Might be abit OT here ...

2ppaamm,

I truly believe in what I wrote.

I do not know if my child is gifted, but he possesses some qualities for a 2 and a half yr old that amazes us many times over :D.

The point is, I came into this conclusion (of what I wrote in reponse to you earlier) because there was a period of time when I really contemplated 'hothousing', only because I wanted him to have the opportunities/best, that I never had. But common sense prevailed in the end and I realize what you know already - that kids need love and a 'healthy' environment to thrive in - that would be the best of the best

For instance, why enroll him in a particular course which will dictate his learning process ie those memory improvement classes? I am not giving him the OPPORTUNITY to develope his learning process, I am programming HOW it shd be developed. And he is but a toddler - let a child be a child.

I wrote somewhere in this forum many mths back that my first priority for him is to pick up life-skills. I brought him to visit an orphanage aft his first bday in Thailand to educate him how lucky he is, albeit the fact that he was too young (not to us, but to many others and implied we were wasting our time) and there are many other examples ...

To sum up, the other day, aft dropping him off at PIL's and while walking past a road construction site back to the car, DS told me, \"mummi, be careful!\" - think you get the drift.

p.s: I dare say that I feel that one can also be considered gifted if one's life-skills are 'sound'

JMOHO

[sleepy]

tamarind:

sunflower,
There is no need, and no point to have your girl tested. Just believe in your instincts.

Remember that what defines giftedness, is not how much the child already knows. It is how quickly and easily she can learn new things on her own, without the need to be taught. A gifted child only needs resources, not teachers.

sunflower

I second that. It is not necessary to test your child.

IQ report is meant for MOE. Unless you are seeking early admission to P1 or to skip levels, then the IQ report is relevant because MOE needs to see some 'extreme' numbers. But it's rather difficult to get clearance for early admission or to skip levels. So that IQ report usually ends up as white elephant even if your child is certified gifted.

As parents, we don't need an IQ report to tell us whether our children are gifted, we KNOW Continue to develop her at home regardless of her IQ score.

[jedamum]

i know this is definitely OT already, so mods (not me la ), pls move if needed...(maybe under P1 preparation or some sort).

lovekidsverymuch:

I also like your part about killing the interest, yes I guess you are right sometimes when kids know already how to do things he doesnt enjoy the school and teachers complain he lost somewhere... just dunno wat is exactly right and wrong.

sometimes when kids already know how to do things, he doesn't enjoy the school anymore; but personally a bored kid due to 'already know how to do things' vs a kid bored cos he cannot catch up, which situation is worse?
i never let my ds2 did seatwork until late last year (near to his 3rd birthday) when his PreN teacher feedback that i should get him started cos more seatwork is expected in Nursery. Currently, although he still has problem remaining seated when class is conducted, his current teacher noted (maybe actually relieved cos it becomes one less area of concern for her) that he can catch up with class curriculum despite the short attention span. I have been teaching him all his numbers and revising his phonics at home.
i am not saying to the extend of 'hothousing', but adequate preparation for P1 is still essential cos of the big jump between K2 and P1, academical and social expectations, it can shape how the kid feel towards school for a very long time.
JMHO.

[sleepy]

2ppaamm:

I am no expert. But if this is absolutely what she is doing. Then, you might want to get her IQ tested as early as possible so that she can get some intervention if required.

Just curious, what sort of intervention?

[2ppaamm]

sleepy:

tamarind:

sunflower,
There is no need, and no point to have your girl tested. Just believe in your instincts.

Remember that what defines giftedness, is not how much the child already knows. It is how quickly and easily she can learn new things on her own, without the need to be taught. A gifted child only needs resources, not teachers.

sunflower

I second that. It is not necessary to test your child.

IQ report is meant for MOE. Unless you are seeking early admission to P1 or to skip levels, then the IQ report is relevant because MOE needs to see some 'extreme' numbers. But it's rather difficult to get clearance for early admission or to skip levels. So that IQ report usually ends up as white elephant even if your child is certified gifted.

As parents, we don't need an IQ report to tell us whether our children are gifted, we KNOW Continue to develop her at home regardless of her IQ score.

I largely support that. However, there are some cases where the kid is really brilliant. So, if you think that's your kid, go test it out. We're talking about 145 or 160 on the WISC IV. That's like 1 in a year in Singapore.

Rare, but not extinct.

I agree we don't need an IQ test, we'll love our kids exactly the same, won't we?