[jules17]

Before I start, I don't want to look like one of "those Moms" who thinks their children are all geniuses. LOL

But we talk about Sam and wonder if he is gifted. His memory blows my mind...completely. A few examples:

1. We took him to a pirate movie last summer. We had been nowhere near the theater since (at least 6 months) and when we drove past, he said, "Mommy, pirate movie!!"

2. We took him to a church for the 4th of July. He calls fireworks "pop pops." We happened to drive by that church (for the first time since) last Sunday and he said, "Mommy, that's where we saw the pop pops!!"

3. When he was about 18 months old last Christmas, he was really into the Polar Express. We put it away after Christmas and didn't talk about it again. When we got it out a few weeks ago, he saw the box and said, "Ohh, the train...and the TICKET!" and on and on...

He never forgets ANYTHING. Never. And he has always been like that. His attention span is at least 2 hours and he is 2.5. He is able to extrapolate from a situation and draw logical conclusions. He totally blows my mind sometimes!!

How do you know if your child is possibly gifted? (I know I could look on the Internet, but hoping for personal stories/examples.)

On a side note, my parents had my sister and I tested for being gifted very early...and I hated it and the labels...felt like a weirdo or "different"...so I am treading very cautiously here.

Thanks!

[megaphonemo]

My daughter is a little over 3, and the exact same way. We have to watch what we promise, because she forgets NOTHING!!!! She does the same thing with the movie theater, and recites that we got popcorn and the kind of candy we had that day!! She also learns the words to songs after I sing them to her only a few times (which is how she knows every christmas song that I do!!) However, she is the only one in her day care class that can't write her name!!!! Gifted?? Maybe!!

[BobMiami]

No.

There is so much more I could say, but with my name and stuff people could easily put us together.

I love my son more than any other person could love another, but quite simply "no".

But he is a wonderful boy.

[jules17]

Originally Posted by megaphonemo

We have to watch what we promise, because she forgets NOTHING!!!! She does the same thing with the movie theater, and recites that we got popcorn and the kind of candy we had that day!!

She also learns the words to songs after I sing them to her only a few times (which is how she knows every christmas song that I do!!)

Oh my gosh - yes, yes and yes. I mean, I know at this age, kids are sponges, but his recall is just amazing. We ate at an Applebee's ONCE (DH hates it) and every time we pass one, "Applebee's!!"

By age 2, he could tell you where his nostrils were, show you where Alaska was on a map (my parents were going there), etc.

Tony and I both agree to never label our children, so if he is "the G word," we wouldn't ever say it. Because it adds pressure and kids don't need that!

[becky]

I think that what you are describing is a very bright child. I really believe 'giftedness' is much more difficult to define. I have 3 children who are 'gifted' by the standards of our local school system. In all honesty I don't any of them are really gifted. I think they are bright, hard workers, and excellent students, and that tends to show on things like standarized tests.

In my opinion...really gifted people are few and far between...exceptional minds who make great discoveries, exceptional artists and musicians...those people are gifted.

Now...if you have a really smart kid there are certainly things you need to do to encourage that natural intellect. You need to expose him/her to lots of educational opportunities. You need to be picky about school...smart kids get bored easily sometimes.

Now...none of this is to say your child isn't gifted...he/she may be. But as a long time parent and educator, I really believe the 'label' is used too often!

[SKL]

Oh, I get a flash of that now and then. My older daughter has a great ear for music and told me there was a "snow" pattern on my glass at least 6 months after she'd last seen snow (around her 2nd birthday). Every so often she'll come out with a concept word that she's heard only once or twice a long time ago. But on the other hand, she continues to be what I call a "reluctant speaker" and doesn't always reason through things as well as I expect. Little sis has a remarkable knack for mechanical things and problem-solving, but again, isn't much of a talker. Both have great imaginations and an above-average knowledge and awareness of letters, numbers, etc., but I wouldn't say they were "at the top" in these categories.

I think all kids have some exceptional gifts. The ones our society tends to value most are those related to academics, so we tend to put kids on a continuum based on which ones have which gifts. I say they are all wonderful because they all enrich the world in some way. Although I have a sense that at least one of my daughters has an exceptional IQ, I don't plan on doing any testing until I see how both girls adjust to school. Until then, there can be no shortage of stimulation and problem-solving opportunities in their environment.

Edited to add: my nephew is one of those "really" gifted kids who will literally blow you away with a casual conversation. I can never stop myself from comparing my kids to him. So I tend to hold them to really high standards whenever I wonder if they are exceptional. I know it shouldn't matter either way, but we're human, right?

[jules17]

Originally Posted by becky

I think that what you are describing is a very bright child. I really believe 'giftedness' is much more difficult to define. In my opinion...really gifted people are few and far between...exceptional minds who make great discoveries, exceptional artists and musicians...those people are gifted.

Totally agree...could not agree more. I think gifted and bright are used interchangeably, and they really aren't the same thing. I was also labeled gifted and really and truly, I am not. Sorry to say...some days, a bit bright, some days, not so much. But I would never say gifted (a lot of this stemmed from me learning to read at 3 and other things). For me, I would say "curious and driven" would be more accurate.

[jules17]

Originally Posted by SKL

Although I have a sense that at least one of my daughters has an exceptional IQ, I don't plan on doing any testing until I see how both girls adjust to school. Until then, there can be no shortage of stimulation and problem-solving opportunities in their environment.

Honestly, my testing was very intense at a young age. So unless the "testing" is in a very fun environment, I doubt we'll test at all.

But I totally agree on the stimulation and environment!!

[Slatond10]

Originally Posted by megaphonemo

My daughter is a little over 3, and the exact same way. We have to watch what we promise, because she forgets NOTHING!!!! She does the same thing with the movie theater, and recites that we got popcorn and the kind of candy we had that day!! She also learns the words to songs after I sing them to her only a few times (which is how she knows every christmas song that I do!!) However, she is the only one in her day care class that can't write her name!!!! Gifted?? Maybe!!

U described my DD to a T.... She recited all the books in the old testament ( and I had to get the bible out to see if she was right) ... but can't write her name!

She seems so advanced in some areas and so behind in a few small areas???

So I would not say she was gifted and she struggles w/ authority so I expect our school years to be challenging. She will be plenty bright enough but "focus" is an issue!

[Gatos]

No. I don't ever think my kids are gifted. When their memories are freakishly good, I attribute it to the fact that their world's are small and they have little to worry about. When Mindy remembers that we bought her a painting book from an old drug store by my parent's house, I just figure that she sure must have liked that book.

[jules17]

Originally Posted by SKL

Edited to add: my nephew is one of those "really" gifted kids who will literally blow you away with a casual conversation. I can never stop myself from comparing my kids to him. So I tend to hold them to really high standards whenever I wonder if they are exceptional. I know it shouldn't matter either way, but we're human, right?

My sister is what I would call a true genius/gifted or whatever. She literally earned 2 degrees and then a law degree and never studied. As in, never even bought the textbooks. She studied for a couple of days for the bar. She truly is super duper smart.

But socially...much more awkward.

[Oceanmom23]

I often wonder that with my DS too.
Gage has been spelling his name since he turned two & can even recognize a lot of the letters in the alphabet. He loves to line things up in a straight line and say,"How many? Let's count".
His memory is just amazing...I have to be really careful as to what I promise him, because he will remember hours & hours later.
He can even tell me how to get to his cousin Emma's house, which is 22 miles away.

[Hopingsoon]

I think my son is very, very smart, but then again, like others have said, his world is very small, and he's not exposed to all the "chatter" that we adults take in.

He's fascinated by numbers, seemingly counts (amounts under ten) and has a fantasic memory. We have no plans to test him, and if it lasts, great. If not, whatever. We love him for who he is, rocket scientist or hard working average joe. Ultimately, the values we instill in him are more important than his IQ.

[jules17]

Originally Posted by Hopingsoon

We love him for who he is, rocket scientist or hard working average joe. Ultimately, the values we instill in him are more important than his IQ.

Absolutely!!

[KJones5]

I have no clue if our son is gifted, very smart or just a typical kid! What I can tell you is he is similar to what you have described.

1. He remembers EXACTLY where he saw Santa last year. He remembers Santa gave him a candy kane. He asks about Santa EVERY time we drive by that place.

2. If someone at daycare gets new shoes, he comments on them and acknowledges they are new. He's been doing this for quite awhile now.

3. At 2 1/2 he knew his colors. He spoke clearly and in sentences.

4. He can repeat most every part of Frosty before Frosty says it.

Not sure if he is bright or just average. He just cracks us up with these things! His much more observant than our 2 1/2 year old.