Is my son gifted (or whatever the PC term is now)?

Question

First, let me say that I know I'm not supposed to compare and all children develop at their own rate, etc. I'm just really curious about this.

My son is almost 2 1/2 years old and I've been wondering this for some time. I've had little experience with other kids, so I'm not sure what's typical at certain ages. Here are some examples of why I suspect that he's "gifted"

-able to name all 26 capital letters by 16 months
-could name 11 colors and 7 shapes by about 22 months
-sentences up to 15 words (though the topics are simple)
-can sing the alphabet song and count to 12
-can tell the sound each letter makes (one per letter)
-can answer questions like "What things fly?" Attempts to answer "Why?"
*He is behind in gross motor and social skills

Does this seem pretty typical, or does it seem like he might be gifted? Would it be possible to test at this age? What can we do to ensure he gets the proper stimulation if he is? Any other advice or suggestions? (continued below)

Answer 1

I completely understand everything you said. My son is very similar. Believe it or not, he is reading, and he will be 2 1/2 next month. Nurture every moment, because it will always be a learning experience for you both! I am also reluctant to ask people about him, because they usually accuse me of lying or "over exaggerating".... until they meet him. I took him to a pre-school screening when he was 23 months, and they told me he was exceptionally brilliant. They offered to come to my house to interact with him more. I let them, and they told me his intelligence level was that of a 3 or 4 year old, but his motor skills were slightly behind. If you ever want to talk, please let me know. I don't know anyone else who I can openly discuss this with other than my family. Let me know if you want my email.

Answer 2

I'd definitley work on the gross motor and social skills. . . at this age, those are just as important (if not more) than being able to recite the ABCs and count. Yes, it's impressive that at his age that he can do those things, but if you've been working with him on them, then it's not entirely surprising. Keep reading to him at night and encourage him (just like I'm sure you already are) and start getting your kid into play groups so that he can develop in the other areas as well. My daughter is 3 and is about at the same level (so she's almost a year older) and is considered to be very smart for her age. Let your son be a kid, first of all--don't push him into doing things for the sake of appearing smart or older. Of course you don't want to hold him back, either, but avoid drills and sitting at the table for long periods of time. Take him outside and let him explore the yard and keep encouraging all those "why" questions and just let him play for the sake of playing once in a while.

Answer 3

Hi, just wanted to say I really enjoyed reading about your talented son. In the Australian education system, they use 'talented' or 'academically advanced' and reserve 'gifted' for if the child is super advanced in a single area, like music or mathematics - 'a gifted musician' Its just politics though!



I have a 16 month old girl who is quite bright too, but not as advanced as your son, or some of the others who commented. She is quite balanced, with fine and gross motor skills, can say well over 200 words, uses 4 word sentences, taught herself to count to four, identify and say most colours and shapes and understands and identifies tons of opposites and other concepts.



Mostly we just have fun with her though, playing and being loving and silly, the learning is just incidental, stemming from our natural conversation with her, play and reading.



I don't think too much of it though, I just think we've spent a lot of time with her (first child and all). I think most kids would be the same way if they had all that attention.



But your child sounds incredible! You must be doing a great job, and be blessed with great genes. Don't feel ashamed, its natural to be proud, after all I'm sure you have and are contributing heaps to his development.



Its amazing how much people writhe at the mention of the word gifted though isn't it! People with very average children get all defensive, as if it means somehow that their child has no redeeming qualities whatsoever! It might be best to ditch the word in favour of 'advanced' to avoid this negative reaction.



Join a toy library, play music and games, take him to kindergym or gymboree for social and physical skills and keep reading! Don't tell him he's advanced though, or he might think of himself differently, just keep stimulating him and providing learning oppurtunities if that is what he obviously loves.



Congrats and best wishes finding resources in your local area to help extend him through preschool and school.

Answer 4

Any 2 year old can do that, given the proper instruction. I think you should be more concerned about stimulating his gross motor and social skills, rather than being consumed with his verbal. And you didn't mention anything about his fine motor development, which is also very important at this age.

Answer 5

I would have you son do a screening test. If he attends daycare they may provide the test for you. If not there are organizations that will test him one being Easter Seals. Usually if a child is gifted in certain areas they are behind in others. My son was the complete opposite of your child. He was very advanced in gross motor skills but had a speech problem. I had my son screened at age 2. It is always best to get two opinions though. I received his through his daycare and Easter Seals.

Answer 6

-able to name all 26 capital letters by 16 months My daughter was 12 months when she could identify all of her letters, upper as well as lower case



-could name 11 colors and 7 shapes by about 22 months My daughterwas naming a box of 24 colors as well as identifying shapes such as parrellegrams, polygrams, octogons by the time she was 2.



-sentences up to 15 words (though the topics are simple) My daughter was actually holding complete telephone conversations from "Hi Grndma" To Okay I talk to you later" by the time she was two.



-can sing the alphabet song and count to

Sang the alphabet song as well as SIGNED the alphabet, could count and IDENTIFY numbers from 1 to 100 right after he 2nd birthday.12

-can tell the sound each letter makes (one per letter)Was able to identify certain letters actually had different sounds by the time she was three and was reading at the age of three.

-can answer questions like "What things fly?" Could explain WHY things fly at the age of three...



Your son is no more gifted than my daughter was. She was behind in some motor skills (especially holding writing utencils)Oh but as she got older she did become a member of Mensa...

Answer 7

Yes, I think so. My daughter,at a young age,excelled in some things, while lagged behind in others.A Psychologist friend had told me when she was young, that the kids they are a tad "different" are the ones he had seen, make something out of themselves-she also had poor social skills, but , poor fine motor skills. Enjoy his attributes . I put mine in playgroups to socialize with other kids.My daughter is gifted, but she sure does "walk her own walk" . Sounds like you`re doing a great job.Enjoy him, don`t over praise him or expect him to be great in all areas, Kids that are gifted, hate to be singled out-(info I got from my daughters teacher) Her AIG teacher-Accademically Intellectually gifted. I just read the comment on autism,if he is loving to you, looks you in the eyes, wants to play with you-don`t worry about it.Mine, played with me ALL the time, she would make up some really strange games.She`s 9 now.She has great social skills too.

Answer 8

I agree that I would not use the word gifted. Maybe he falls in the slightly advanced category. There are a number of children that I am aware of that do, what we consider, amazing! things. But, (and I am not trying to being mean) the things that you mention are typical in development. It all depends on exposure. What you may teach or expose your baby to, may be very different from your neighbor. While one parent may teach ABC and 1 2 3...., another parent may be teaching states and presidents. Kids are like little sponges, they soak up whatever they are exposed to.

Answer 9

He is probably gifted... or at least very smart.... so far sounds like you're doing a great job...maybe you can work a little more in his gross motor and social skills if you really think he's behind... but remember everybody is different.

Answer 10

To me it sounds like you have been placing more emphasis on some areas of his life and learning then on others. He is a bit advanced in some areas he is also lacking in gross motor skills and social skills. I wouldnt say he was gifted I would say that he needs a more ballanced existance to become a more well rounded person. IMHO

Answer 11

Some of the examples you listed are surprising. The last bullet item with the star raised a red flag for a form of autism. Maybe he's going to be a genius, but if it is autism, the earlier you know the better off you both will be.

Answer 12

Sounds like you definately have a very intellegent/gifted child. My son is 3 years old and can recite his ABC's without error, can count to 10, can say full sentences, and even tells me things that happened months ago.



I'm sure that once he's old enough for school, things will get sorted out. I wouldn't push any kind of testing until he is of age.

Answer 13

Sounds very smart! my niece is like that. Just keep the learning fun and don't overpush him. Let him learn at his own pace and be his own person.

The "proper" term nowadays is exceptional learner...it's used for both gifted and for children with developmental disabilities.

Answer 14

It is not going to be well received of many to admit this to you, but your child sounds exceedingly gifted!



Would you consider encouraging your child to begin learning two or three foreign languages, as this will help your child get into the Ivy league schools and/or the governmental intelligence (NSA, CIA) agencies of his choosing?



Just a serious response; govern his bright future as you see fit.

Answer 15

he sounds gifted alright. you must have guided him along the way so that he knows where to begin. good for you. just carry on life normally as a child his age would. don't over burden him. he'll get even better with time. each and every child has a different rate of achievement.

Answer 16

First of this sounds like a very proud parent!!!!!!!! no problem,but dont over emphasize things he /she can do or can't do.

number1 .....HE is special

Number2.....He has been blessed with God given talents

Number 3....let these talents come about by no persuasion.....the hardest to do.

Number4...wait untill 5-7yrs old when they figure out themselves,(TO A DEGREE) what they like>>>>very simple .........God made it that way!!!haray!!!,then just be supportive ,since thats our job anyways ,as parents .They are Gods gift to us for a time ,stewards we are not owners .l

Answer 17

I dont know if he's gifted or not but he does seem pretty advanced for his age. I would get him involved with schooling early. find a preschool class or something for him to become involved him. If he's not in a daycare, find a playgroup for him to work on his social skills.

Answer 18

probably.

buy puzzles for him, they stimulate the part of the brain that does problem solving.

Music stimulates the mathematical and motor skills section of the brain. (playing music) (try a cheapo keyboard)



as for asking why... all kids do that, i know a 14 month baby who says why all the time (it's one of his only words, but he knows what it means and asks it in the right context)

Answer 19

he is gifted :)



Basically just read to him alot get him out there to improve social and communication skills.



You also kind of want to challenge him and ALWAYS expect the most from him, children usually just attempt the expectations of their parents.



Yes there are test, but you want to wait a while for him to get more basics done

Answer 20

im sorry

but my cousin learned most of those stuff at 11 months

Answer 21

he was a ninja in his past life and now he wants to be a ninja.

Answer 22

is the gifted your talinhg about meaning smart or mentally impared...i am confused...

Answer 23

maybe it runs in ur family...