3B
Does anyone have a child that you believe is advanced and possibably gifted? What are some of the things your child does that makes you think that they are advanced? What do you think is the next step in preparing for their educational future?
Why is it acceptable for a parent to be proud of a child who excels in sports, music, art, etc...but if the parent mentions that their child is unusually intelligent people jump all over them?
I am not posting this question to be competitive. I simply want to figure out educational options for my child because at age 2 and a half she can already pass the kindergarten readiness test. I am worried about an education system that focuses on the lowest intellectual denominator. I want my child to challenged by school and love learning.
Answer
My daughter, who is 22 months old, sounds very similar to yours. My mother is a teacher, and she is amazed at what my daughter knows - more than some of the 5 year old kids that she tests at school.
I don't push my daughter to focus on learning, and never have. We have provided her with all kinds of educational toys (letter puzzles, sorting toys, etc), and she is just drawn to it. Even when playing outside, she'll count the flowers in the garden or leaves on the ground. Or, look at a magazine, and start naming the letters she sees.
I was a preschool teacher, and also worked in a Montossorri preschool for several years, and have seen all kinds of children with many different levels of abilities. I believe the best thing to do is provide your children with the tools they need, and if they seem to be gifted - seek opportunities to help them actively learn - but make it fun. A two year old does not need to sit and have a "preschool lesson", but will probably love to look at books and tell you the letters, or count out crackers for a snack. I've even seen a 3 year old who was beginning to read.
Many schools will allow a 4 year old to enter kindergarden, but only if the parent inquires about it. It also depends on the maturity of the child, etc.
The schools in our area also group children in to classes according to their ability. For example, your child may be enrolled in kindergarden, but may go to a first grade class for reading or math, if you child excels in one particular area.
Have fun with your toddler, encourage them, and be proud!
My daughter, who is 22 months old, sounds very similar to yours. My mother is a teacher, and she is amazed at what my daughter knows - more than some of the 5 year old kids that she tests at school.
I don't push my daughter to focus on learning, and never have. We have provided her with all kinds of educational toys (letter puzzles, sorting toys, etc), and she is just drawn to it. Even when playing outside, she'll count the flowers in the garden or leaves on the ground. Or, look at a magazine, and start naming the letters she sees.
I was a preschool teacher, and also worked in a Montossorri preschool for several years, and have seen all kinds of children with many different levels of abilities. I believe the best thing to do is provide your children with the tools they need, and if they seem to be gifted - seek opportunities to help them actively learn - but make it fun. A two year old does not need to sit and have a "preschool lesson", but will probably love to look at books and tell you the letters, or count out crackers for a snack. I've even seen a 3 year old who was beginning to read.
Many schools will allow a 4 year old to enter kindergarden, but only if the parent inquires about it. It also depends on the maturity of the child, etc.
The schools in our area also group children in to classes according to their ability. For example, your child may be enrolled in kindergarden, but may go to a first grade class for reading or math, if you child excels in one particular area.
Have fun with your toddler, encourage them, and be proud!
In the newest issue of Parents magazine, there was an article..?
Pet
something like toddler rules? It was really cute and funny, and I wanted to keep it, but I think I accidentally threw my copy away while I was cleaning this weekend. :( Does anyone know what book it was from? Or perhaps a link to it? I'd really appreciate it, I thought it was hilarious. Thanks.
Answer
God I hope this is it because it took me forever to type. excuse the horrid spelling and typing and what not. My hands were hurting, its late, im tired, and it was a lot to type. and I hope no one else did this also. because that would suck. lol I couldn't find this on the site but found my mag.
Dear mom and dad,
thank you for your interest in remaining my parents. Below is a list of my demands.
The Toddler Contract
1. Food
a. for breakfast, there will be only milk from my sippy cup while I'm watching tv (see section 2)
b. from breakfast until what you probably call lunch, i will be provided with an unending supply of cookies. no arguments.
c. for lunch i will eat yogurt, anything containing fruit on the bottom will make me pick them out and throw it on the ground or else throw it up on your carpet.
1. so no fruit on the bottom.
d. from lunch until dinner i will enjoy having something to lick. why not a lollipop? why not seven?
1.between licks, i may place the lollipop on your grandmothers turkish rug. this will be okay with you.
e. for dinner i will have macaroni and cheese. any attempts to give me veggies in addition to the mac and cheese will result in tears.
1. and don't you dare hide anything in the cheese sauce, because, my God, how you will rue the day.
f. after dinner, you may provide me with ice cream.
1. no frozen yogurt. trust me, i know the difference.
2. TV
a. the tv will be on all the time, unless I say differently. you are to sit by my side, quietly, hands folded in lap, while I watch my shows.
1. you may arise to fetch me a snack.
b. no diaper changing or pleas to engage in physical activity will be tolerated during watching of tv.
c. turning off the tv will result in much kicking and screaming.
3. Toys
a. there will be many
1. they will always be strewn about the house so that i may simply reach down and pick up a toy, no matter where I am.
2. they will be loud, complicated and contain many small pieces. i enjoy shooting noises that go w-shooop! or zim zim zim.
3. nothing that results in any type of learning, please.
4. Friends
a. they should be available whenever im in the mood to use someone else's toys or ingest someone elses cookies.
1.these friends may not ever so much as look as my toys or Cookie supply.
2. ever, ever, ever.
5. Sleep
a. is when i say, where i say, and how i say. if i want to sleep upside down with my legs locked around your neck, then that's how it will be.
1. and you will enjoy it.
6. affection
a. occasionally i enjoy being hugged and kissed. I stress occasionally.
b. i will not be pelted with wet-mouthed assaults on an hourly basis. should you feel the need to hug or kiss, you must provide me with a written request.
1. and then wait for me to offer my pudgy cheeks.
God I hope this is it because it took me forever to type. excuse the horrid spelling and typing and what not. My hands were hurting, its late, im tired, and it was a lot to type. and I hope no one else did this also. because that would suck. lol I couldn't find this on the site but found my mag.
Dear mom and dad,
thank you for your interest in remaining my parents. Below is a list of my demands.
The Toddler Contract
1. Food
a. for breakfast, there will be only milk from my sippy cup while I'm watching tv (see section 2)
b. from breakfast until what you probably call lunch, i will be provided with an unending supply of cookies. no arguments.
c. for lunch i will eat yogurt, anything containing fruit on the bottom will make me pick them out and throw it on the ground or else throw it up on your carpet.
1. so no fruit on the bottom.
d. from lunch until dinner i will enjoy having something to lick. why not a lollipop? why not seven?
1.between licks, i may place the lollipop on your grandmothers turkish rug. this will be okay with you.
e. for dinner i will have macaroni and cheese. any attempts to give me veggies in addition to the mac and cheese will result in tears.
1. and don't you dare hide anything in the cheese sauce, because, my God, how you will rue the day.
f. after dinner, you may provide me with ice cream.
1. no frozen yogurt. trust me, i know the difference.
2. TV
a. the tv will be on all the time, unless I say differently. you are to sit by my side, quietly, hands folded in lap, while I watch my shows.
1. you may arise to fetch me a snack.
b. no diaper changing or pleas to engage in physical activity will be tolerated during watching of tv.
c. turning off the tv will result in much kicking and screaming.
3. Toys
a. there will be many
1. they will always be strewn about the house so that i may simply reach down and pick up a toy, no matter where I am.
2. they will be loud, complicated and contain many small pieces. i enjoy shooting noises that go w-shooop! or zim zim zim.
3. nothing that results in any type of learning, please.
4. Friends
a. they should be available whenever im in the mood to use someone else's toys or ingest someone elses cookies.
1.these friends may not ever so much as look as my toys or Cookie supply.
2. ever, ever, ever.
5. Sleep
a. is when i say, where i say, and how i say. if i want to sleep upside down with my legs locked around your neck, then that's how it will be.
1. and you will enjoy it.
6. affection
a. occasionally i enjoy being hugged and kissed. I stress occasionally.
b. i will not be pelted with wet-mouthed assaults on an hourly basis. should you feel the need to hug or kiss, you must provide me with a written request.
1. and then wait for me to offer my pudgy cheeks.
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
No comments:
Post a Comment