How to tell if a child is gifted?

[sleepy]

ks2me:

Today's papers reported that since 2000, MOE only allowed about 5 kids to skip grades, so the occurence is indeed rare. I believe so because I know more people who applied and were rejected. If children have alot of time on hand due to their ability to learn faster, then let them have time to smell the roses too.

I read that only 3 out of 100,000 kids are exceptionally gifted.
If we look at Singapore birth rate, only 1 exceptionally gifted child is eligible to skip grade over 3 years of combined birth rate. Wow, indeed very very rare.

I wonder how were those 5 kids identified. Parents alerted MOE ie. submit IQ report? or screened when in primary school?

[corneyAmber]

I know 1 of the 5 kids, truly exceptional. The case was parents-driven and I believe most cases are.

[corrochan]

hi Wesim and friends,


It's great to chance upon this thread and find like-minded parents. Really agree with many wise things said above.

Don't be unduly concerned with getting kids ahead, or getting more than ready for P1.
- With so many true-KS parents out there, can you really tell who's ahead?
- And are those 'advance kids' really mean they will succeed better in life?

Just take a look at our very S'pore multi-million dollar MOE programs (SAP, Gifted, and now donno what accelerated no need exam stream):
- how many of those ppl are not doing exceedingly better than those 'normal' students?
- when our very own bank DBS hire CEO, do they hire our ex-SAP student or they hire 'foreign talent'?
- our very own temasek holdg hire another 'foreign talent' (tho left)
So if the SGP education is soooooooooo fantastic, why still need to hire 'foreign talent'? Why we don't have Nobel winner? Why after so long, still only 'Sim Wong Hoo'?

So no need to be lemming-like and follow what other parents do blindly. As parents, we need to assess our own kids, and uncover their strengths and weaknesses.

In choosing, schools or playgroup or extra-lessons, need to be careful (and I'll say sceptical) about
- those that promises what left, right, center brain stuff
- those that say 'accelerated learning' (singaporemotherhood forum has alot of those nonsense)
- those that say will make your tots bright, etc.
All BS!

For me, I focus on 2 things (to me, these are life skills):
a. value and character development , including social skills
b. exploit my children's innate curiosity and inquisitive minds - lucky for me i found a playgroup in my area that focuses on this area

I avoid schools/playgroup/kindergarten/childcare with names containing these 'key words':
- brain
- university, campus
- Einstein
- anything that sounds like raffles or stamford
- IQ....
....you know what i am driving at....

The 'ABC', '123' stuff (i.e. academic), i leave it to the kindergartens my kids attend, and i think the teachers are doing a great job already.

[schellen]

:goodpost:


Exactly how I feel! (I think sashimi will say the same too.)

P.S. I have a friend who moved to the States and she recently had a little girl. She wrote me to tell me that her S'porean friends with kids have become so caught up with all the enrichment nonsense that it's ridiculous to her. For me, I will only send my child for the \"traditional\" forms of enrichment like dance, art, music, etc, and only if she's interested. I deem other forms like English reading/writing, Chinese prep, tuition, etc only necessary if the child seriously needs help.

[smurf]

:goodpost:


but still I send my boy to chinese class, cos he just refuses to speak in chinese, :P. I fear that if he dunn like chinese, will mss out a lot of things, but other than that, no enrichment. feel that kids are kids, they should enjoy childhood.

[ponyo]

Hi Corrochan,


I couldn't have said it better! Glad to see that there are so many likeminded parents out here in this forum.

I remember being asked by a friend a year ago about the type of classes that DD attends. I replied that she has her ballet, childcare from Mon- Fri, swimming, sunday school in church and art ('cos it was held on Sats at the block next to where I am staying so I usually use that as a good childminding facility while I do my weekend marketing at the wet market nearby). btw, Her art class has since stopped 'cos the operator couldn't agree with the landlord.

Her reply then,\"you mean that's all?\" irked me to no end. :stupid:

What's wrong? Must every kid be sent to some brain-altering class to prepare them to be future president scholars/oxbridge scholars? Can't a kid just enjoy her /his childhood with just physical activities with the occasional drama classes?

I have had friends who were products of the GEP scheme and their careers turned out normal. Nothing spectacular too.

Let every child blossom in his/her own way. Most importantly, good character will get you further than whatever academic accolades can get you. So what if you have a head full of knowledge but a heart that is stone-cold (cannot empathise, etc)??

ok... enough of ranting

:x

[csc]

[quote]I avoid schools/playgroup/kindergarten/childcare with names containing these 'key words':

- brain
- university, campus
- Einstein
- anything that sounds like raffles or stamford
- IQ.... [/quote]Cheers! That's my style too.Not forgetting minds, gifted, champs - anything that promises to make a child gifted or changed to a better learner after attending a 3-day course is out! :lol:

[tony]

Totally agree, Corochan! :celebrate:


I also avoid schools that promise rote work upon rote work. I really DO NOT AGREE that the best way to learn is to practice formulas rather than understanding underlying principles.

The best way to learn is through discovery and making mistakes, not by perfect application of formulas.

[daisyt]

Gald to see so many parents here have the same mindset as me. I always insist a good learning attitute is the most important factor in learning route. To me, as long as she is average or above average, I am fine. What bothers me more is to develope her an active learning attitute.


Want to share a part of this mass email I received recently.

Assume A =1, B = 2 and so on as follow
A = 1
B = 2
C = 3
D = 4
E = 5
F = 6
G = 7
H = 8
I = 9
J = 10
K = 11
L = 12
M = 13
N = 14
O = 15
P = 16
Q = 17
R = 18
S = 19
T = 20
U = 21
V = 22
W = 23
X = 24
Y = 25
Z = 26

KNOWLEDGE = 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%
HARDWORK = 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%
ATTITUDE = 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

[tony]

So true, Daisyt. Maybe we should start a thread on how to cultivate a positive learning attitude in our kids. I t-r-y very hard to celebrate the process of hard work and positive attitude rather than the outcome. I have found that when I am angst with them, they actually become more upset with themselves. But when I let go and focus on the effort, we all have fun and have a great time. That’s when we really enjoy learning (me included).