My son is just under 17 months. Over the last 5 months, his vocabulary has exploded. He knows so many words I lost count after 50. He speaks clearly and pronounces words almost perfectly. He can actually form small sentences on his own! For example, he likes to count objects, so he'll ask "How many stars?" He knows 10 shapes, numbers 1-10 and almost all of the alphabet. He knows the difference between things like a square and a rectangle or a circle and the letter O. You can draw something and he'll tell you what it is. He's learning at such a fast pace that I'm afraid he's going to be bored when he gets into kindergarten! I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but I can't believe how well he communicates and I want to make sure he is in the right environment. Is any one else experiencing this? Should I get him tested? If so, how?
2006-11-25 12:15:47 · 4 answers · asked by munkees81 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Congratulations. Having a stimulating environment is a great start for a child.
First, encourage curiosity, not performance. As a parent, you don't want your child to have to continually meet performance standards for you. Instead, model for your son curiosity about the world. Show him what it means to be a lifelong learner. To do this, go to the library, read, explore your neighborhood.
Second, don't test him. That's just the first step in attaching your ego to his abilities. He won't be bored in kindergarten. Instead, a talented teacher will subtly use his abilities to keep the whole class moving ahead.
Third, in addition to teaching him these academic aspects, find ways to teach him social skills that will improve his maturity. If you can do that, you will help him and his future teachers in many ways.
My sons are both bright like this. I enrolled them both in a Montessori preschool, and kept them there until they were 6 1/2 years old--then we started Kindergarten. Both of them were ahead of their classmates, both academically and socially. And, for my younger son, to this day, every year, the teachers try to advance him a grade (and I refuse).
The way I see it--I'm my sons' primary educator, and I will be until they are quite old. The school teaches them mundane things that I would never teach (like how to write out a multiplication problem--I've taught my boys to do it in their heads). Even now at 13 and 11, I still keep teaching them.
If you make a commitment to curiosity, lifelong learning, love of information and nature--you won't have any trouble keeping him busy for his whole life.
Good luck!
2006-11-25 23:21:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son was the same way. He is 5 years old now and in pre-k. Not bored at all even though he knows all the stuff they are teaching. He enjoys the social portion of school so much he forgets he isnt really "learning" anything. He could write his name and abc's at age 2, talk very well, huge vocab and read lots of books at 2. You have to remember that school isnt all about learning book smarts but also street smarts and being with kids your own age. Being around kids your own age is very important. I say let him be a kid and do what he is going to do, testing just puts labels on kids and then people expect more from them
2006-11-25 20:43:44 · answer #2 · answered by Lori R 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son was an early talker as well. Don't worry about him getting bored - socialization is a huge part of the early school years and just learning how to be a student is a big part of early education. Continue to foster his curiosity. Picture books are great for early talkers as their vocabulary continues to boom. Early talking alone is not necessarily a sign of high intelligence, but combined with other factors it can be. Here's a website that describes some characteristics
http://www.gt-cybersource.org/Record.aspx?NavID=2_0&rid=11487
It's fun having a clear talker - you get less tantrums because he has the words to tell you what he wants.
2006-11-25 20:27:59 · answer #3 · answered by Wendy F 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the library and give him a chance to discover books. I would also recommend he learn to play a musical instrument, such as a violin or the piano. See if you can find someone locally who teaches the Suzuki method. He will need extra curricular activities to keep him from being bored in school. Yes, have him tested, because you will need the results to have him in advanced placement in school.
Keep your courage because in no time, he will be running you in circles!
2006-11-25 20:21:30 · answer #4 · answered by AnnieD 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋