Exceptional Children?

Question

I have three children. The oldest just turned 3 in October. She is incredibly smart, fluently speaking 2 languages. We only speak one at my house. My son will be 2 in February, but he doesn't say much of anything. The quiet type I guess you could say. We have had him tested for learning disabilities and hearing problems, but he has passed with flying colors. My 8 month old says more than he does. I have two questions. How should I encourage my daughters abilities? A gifted learning program? Or just let her be a kid? AND Should I be concerned about my son's speech or should I just let him mature on his own as well?

Answer 1

Everyone learns and grows at their own pace. If kid #2 is has passed all the test and still remains the "quiet type", then let him. Don't isolate him or belittle him because he chooses to be "quiet", encourage him to join in. If he's still having problems in a year or so, I would have him retested and re-evaluated. Also encourage kid #3 to join in.

For kid #1, for now, just let her be a kid. Encourage her to learn reading and writing. When she gets into primary school, watch her progress and talk with her teachers. If she's miles ahead of her classmates and bored in the classroom, then speak with the principal (administrator) about setting up testing for the "gifted program". In primary school, it will probably just be few extra projects per year to keep her occupied. In secondary school, she will have one special class per day within the "gifted program" and they'll work on advanced projects.

You can also work to stretch her mind now and then by encouraging her to do more -- more languages, more writing, ect. My "kid #1" is like yours, to the "T". Her 4th grade year, I enrolled both of us to "audit" a foreign language class (German) at the local 4-year college. We did something together that was fun -- with auditing, we didn't have grades to worry about -- and she learned something new, plus she was the "little darling" of all the college kids because she was a little kid in their classroom. LOL!

Answer 2

The little guy who isn't even two yet may just be one of the kids who doesn't say much but then somewhere around two starts speaking as if he's thirty. Many kids do that. Don't "zero in on him" any more and risk his noticing you think he has something wrong. He'll feel that. Just relax, and if he's not talking at two and half tell the doctor.

You may have to supplement your daughter's education because some schools don't necessarily have any gifted children programs, and even if they did they may not be what you really want for your daughter. I always made the conscious effort to compensate for the school and supplement their education by offering activities and subjects they weren't getting in school. Its almost the "best of both worlds" - they get the normal socialization of a regular school day but the additional and more challenging material at home as part of their selection of activities.

Answer 3

To each their own. Your daughter may be verbally gifted and your son is not, but he'll find his. Maybe he'll be a math whiz, or by the time he's four, he'll be able to paint like a little Leonardo da Vinci. If he tested well, then stop worrying and comparing him to his sister.

When I was a kid I always thought gifted learning programs were fun, but now that I look back on it, I feel they're kind of overrated. Smart children learn from the world around them - gifted learning programs just kind of give the learning experience a bit of structure because as adults, we don't easily understand how things function without structure. Let your daughter be, she's not going to grow dull just because she didn't have a weekly vocabulary list.

Answer 4

Let your children be kids, as I am sure you want their lives to be as beautiful as they are.

I am quite concerned when you sent your son for testing at the age of 2. In my professional opinion, that's a little too young to determine possible learnign disabilities. No worries about the speech delay, particularly for boys. My son is currently 25 months old, and likewise, his words are few - but I dare say he is an intelligent toddler. No need to worry too much, but it's good to be vigilant. There are many gifted children who first spoke as late as 4 years old. For all you know, your boy could be so intelligent that he could get what he wants without having to explore communication.

Each child is different, and it would be best if we allow our children to explore the world as much as they can. There would be no need to enrol them into gifted learning programmes. What I would suggest is for you to constant reward them with your verbal praises and hugs when they succeed in a task, and reassure them with your encouragement and praise their efforts. It is important to reinforce the efforts (be it a success or failure), so that they would continue to bloom. Not the product, as they may grow up finding it hard when they eventually experience some failures in life.

Answer 5

I believe that you should let you little girl just be a kid. Its good that she is learning at such an remarkable rate. But as for your little boy, by him being 2, thats the age where alot of developmental problems begin to occur such as Autism, PPD, PDD, and ADHD. I think you should watch him closley, especially if he started off talking and being a normal child and just stopped all of a sudden. If that happened, you should have him checked for all develpomental disorders that could be associated with his particular case. Hopefully he's just a quiet child and not a big talker but you can never be too sure. Good luck and I hope you get everything worked out.

Answer 6

I'd say let them be kids. Just the fact that you notice your child's intelligence tells me that you are tuned into her. If you notice she's bored, try some more structured activities with her. And if she needs more, maybe sign her up for a class or preschool. And if that doesn't work, you'll figure out what your next step is. And don't worry about your non-talker. If he doesn't make progress in the next 6 months, then get him tested again. Just remember: they're only little for a short time!

Answer 7

Let your daughter be a kid, and I would have your son evaluated by a "special needs public school system" it will be free & he will prob. pass w/ flying colors but just to be safe. My son is 20 months and has a speach development delay, with class he is slowly progressing. I would rather help than hinder my child any day

Answer 8

i would like to say first of all i am impressed...
i think you should continue with all of your kids at the speed they are each at... remember they are two different children... do stuff that they will all enjoy... remember kids mature and learn at different levels... you can't force it on them... i think you should expose him to the same the other kids are exposed to but try it in a different way... your kids seem smart... he will be okay give him some time...

Answer 9

i was a quiet child, but a deep thinker, determine to solve puzzles of sorts. later learning an applying things to actual use.languge has its curtian uses and has it limits. somethings can be said without words. help them with their interests, but don't burn them out. be very careful there are those who wish to expliot thier protential. they will be smiling and be the nices people to your face.

Answer 10

WOW the parent sounds brilliant.