Any parents of gifted children here ?

[metz]

Perhaps the more important question is the definition of \"Giftedness\" on young children. If we go by the definition available readily on the internet, I think almost every singaporean child can be qualified as gifted. After all, by P1, most kids are able to read both English and Chinese, do simple maths and general science knowledge (at varying degrees).


Also ultimately, is GEP really effective in sieving out the gifted kids? From what I gathered on the forum, it seems the GEP kids share a common point - they read widely since very young. And I would pressume the parents are rather hands-on too as in providing good reads, explaining to them etc. So, can we really equate GEP to being gifted naturally or just being nurtured since young? (Ok, I'm prepard for some stones. :p)

[tamarind]

chamonix:

Perhaps the more important question is the definition of \"Giftedness\" on young children. If we go by the definition available readily on the internet, I think almost every singaporean child can be qualified as gifted. After all, by P1, most kids are able to read both English and Chinese, do simple maths and general science knowledge (at varying degrees).

Care to share where you find your definition ?

Here's the definition of a gifted child I posted when I started this thread.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted
Generally, gifted individuals learn more quickly, deeply, and broadly than their peers. Gifted children may learn to read early and operate at the same level as normal children who are significantly older. The gifted tend to demonstrate high reasoning ability, creativity, curiosity, a large vocabulary, and an excellent memory. They often can master concepts with few repetitions. They may also be physically and emotionally sensitive, perfectionistic, and may frequently question authority. Some have trouble relating to or communicating with their peers because of disparities in vocabulary size (especially in the early years), personality, interests and motivation. As children, they may prefer the company of older children or adults.


I do not think that there are many Singaporean children who has these characteristics.

My 4 year old boy has almost completed the Ladybird keyword series book 6b, which I think is about P3 standard. But he does not have the characteristics of a gifted child. He can read simply because I taught him consistently, using effective methods, and through many many repetitions. In other words, it is through hard work. For my 5 year old girl, everything seems to be effortless. So there is a big difference.

Windflower:

I think you are just sharing your experiences and opinions with other parents. (I have seeked your advices before on teaching my girl phonics. ) I agree with you that we, as parents, are just proud of our children's abilities and since there's a topic discussing about gifted children over here, we should feel free to share and contribute whatever we know about giftedness.

Glad to know we are on the same wavelength. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I think you have every reason to be proud of your son and I think you must have done something very right, by providing the right environment to nurture your gifted son

[metz]

Hi,


I am actually comparing the Singaporean kids vs American (western) kids. In fact, in countries like France and Canada, if the preschoolers could perform at the Sg kindy level, the teachers would be amazed by them and consider them high ability learners. I have a first hand experience in this. My son's previous french school's principal couldn't help being amazed by his reading ability. Describing her as \"amazed\" is an understatement. To me, I think she has overreacted.

As for good vocab, I think environment plays an important part too. My gal was using words like \"incredible\", \"ignore\" at 2.5 years old. She picked them up from her brother. So, I kind of conclude that if a family uses difficult words such as \"dehydrate\" to a toddler, he/she will tend to have a wider vocab too.

[metz]

tamarind:

My 4 year old boy has almost completed the Ladybird keyword series book 6b, which I think is about P3 standard. But he does not have the characteristics of a gifted child. He can read simply because I taught him consistently, using effective methods, and through many many repetitions. In other words, it is through hard work. For my 5 year old girl, everything seems to be effortless. So there is a big difference.

I think you have done a great job in nurturing your 2 kids. In the Western context, your boy would have been considered Gifted. I'm not sure if this is true - girls tend to pick up things faster than boys at young age. So, it may not be wise to compare the learning rates at young age.

[tamarind]

chamonix:

Hi,


I am actually comparing the Singaporean kids vs American (western) kids. In fact, in countries like France and Canada, if the preschoolers could perform at the Sg kindy level, the teachers are often amazed by them and would consider them high ability learners. I have a first hand experience in this. My son's previous french school's principal couldn't help being amazed by his reading ability. Describing her as \"amazed\" is an understatement. To me, I think she has overreacted.

OIC. Yes I agree that comparing with kids in other countries, preschool kids in Singapore are amazing ! Well, we all know that it is mostly due to the numerous enrichment classes which their parents send them to since 18 months old.

Checkout this article :

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-463539/Two-year-old-Matilda-youngest-girl-Mensa.html

Georgia is no doubt a very intelligent girl. But I am surprised that being able to distinguish pink and purple at 2 years old is considered amazing.

[tamarind]

chamonix:

I think you have done a great job in nurturing your 2 kids. In the Western context, your boy would have been considered Gifted. I'm not sure if this is true - girls tend to pick up things faster than boys at young age. So, it may not be wise to compare the learning rates at young age.

Thanks. But believe me, my boy's learning abilities are only average, he could not even focus his attention for more than a few minutes. But I guess I found the right methods to teach him and the consistent repetitions pay off

[ChiefKiasu]

chamonix:

...I'm thinking of getting a good reading lamp/light. Does anybody have a good recommendation?...

Check out http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109.

[metz]

ChiefKiasu:

chamonix:

...I'm thinking of getting a good reading lamp/light. Does anybody have a good recommendation?...

Check out http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109.

Thanks for the link, Chief

[metz]

tamarind:

OIC. Yes I agree that comparing with kids in other countries, preschool kids in Singapore are amazing ! Well, we all know that it is mostly due to the numerous enrichment classes which their parents send them to since 18 months old.

Checkout this article :

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-463539/Two-year-old-Matilda-youngest-girl-Mensa.html

Georgia is no doubt a very intelligent girl. But I am surprised that being able to distinguish pink and purple at 2 years old is considered amazing.

No enrichment classes for my kids before 3. And Berries is the only academic enrichment they have now.

I can't help being sceptical when I read abt the part on Georgia's comments about Gaston. My gal has been echoing her brother's thoughts since she started talking (complete with intonations, actions and facial experessions). And for my son, my husband often comments he echoes my thoughts and views. So, wondering was it truly her own view or... Just the sceptical me lah :twisted:

Btw, I'm not snubbing anybody here. I'm just uncomfortable with labelling kids. (Believe me, I almost thought my son was autistic when he was one year old.) My thinking is - no matter how average, bright or gifted the child is naturally, parents should do their best to nurture and support the child. And this would be a good platform for all to share their views and learn from each other. Erm, that is if we don't keep mentioning Gifted. (nothing to certify my kids mah)

Sidetrack a bit, we have actually exchanged views on this topic before via emails

[tamarind]

Yes we should do our best to nurture a child, no matter what his/her abilities are. But I think that a gifted child should be taught in different ways, compared to an average child who requires drilling and many repetitions. The intention of this thread is never about labeling kids as gifted or not gifted. This thread is intended for parents who think that their kids are gifted, to discuss about what are the best ways to nurture their kids' giftedness.


I guess many parents are not sure whether their kids are gifted or not. It will be sad if a truly gifted child is being drilled everyday, just because her parents think that it is the best way to develop her.

Let me give you an example. My mother thinks that the best way to learn is to write the same word many times. She used to make my girl write the same chinese character 30 times a day. My girl was almost turned off learning Chinese. I told my mother to stop teaching my girl, and I will teach her myself. I only let my girl practice writing a few chinese characters a day, and she has no problem getting perfect scores for all her chinese tests in her kindergarten. Yesterday I was happy to see my girl copying a complete tang poetry on her own, writing all the 4 x7 chinese characters, without anyone telling her to do so I have taught her how to recite that poetry, but I have never asked her to write it. She writes the poetry simply because she finds it interesting, and that is exactly what I hope to develop in her