Seeking Advice for My Gifted Child

If you're in the Austin area...my son goes to a very small private school. He is allowed to work at his own pace so this year he has done kindergarten and 1st grade together. You can email me if you're interested in knowing more. I'm extremely happy w/ the school. It's located in Martindale and the tuition is very reasonable.

You might try calling ECI. Early Childhood Intervention. I know they help with kids who have developmental problems, maybe they would have some advice for kids who are challenged in the other direction. Sounds like he is really much more advanced than even the 'smart' kids. Congrats.

There is a place in the Woodlands/Spring called Kumon. Not sure about where it is or anything but I have heard that they have great programs for gifted kids to supplement what they need. I found a few in the area but not sure exactly where you are. You can check out their website to get more info. I hear they have an awesome program.

http://www.kumon.com/

1. SOUTH WOODLANDS

596 SAWDUST ROAD
THE WOODLANDS, TX 77380
US

Telephone: ###-###-####

2. SPRING-NORTH

4915 FM 2920 SUITE #145
SPRING, TX 77388
US

Telephone: ###-###-####

3. SPRING

16322 STUEBNER AIRLINE
SPRING, TX 77379
US
Telephone: ###-###-####

Good luck, keep us posted.
C.

Have you looked into any of the area montessori schools? There are some very good and long established ones around Austin.

The good news S., is that the Nederland school districts identify GT children in Kindergarten. Although the GT classes do not start till 1st grade he will be identified in Kindergarten as a GT child and challenged more than the other children. My son has been in the GT program at Langham in Nederland since 1st grade and it is an excellent program. The children do not know they are in a GT or "Challenge" class, only their parents do. That way the children who are not selected do not feel bad or have self esteem issues. The children who are selected also benefit from not knowing because if they get in the class but are unable to handle the work load, they are simply moved to another class with the notion that the class they were in was too full. No child ever feels like they couldn't cut it or hack it. The children are selected for the program based on their test scores and teacher reccomendation. Some students may not do well on tests but are brilliant when given the information orally. All the Challenge teachers at Langham are certified to teach gifted children and are excellent at what they do. All in all it's an excellent program and I suggest contacting the local schools to ask them about their GT or Challenge programs. We have had our share of problems, issues & joys with my son being in the GT program and I'd be happy to share any insight or advice I can with you. If you want more information about anything, just let me know.

~K~

Hi S., We are in CyFair ISD. Gifted and Talented classes actually begin full time in first grade. They will pull them out of class in Kindergarten for special GT activities. The other option is to have him tested to skip a grade. Multiplication is waaaaaay advanced for a 2 year old. Perhap you should talk to a school counselor now before he gets into school next year. Or you could stop teaching him so much regarding academics and concentrate on getting his social skills caught up...join playgroup, MOPS, Gymnastics, soccer etc... Congrats on your teaching skills and the intelligence of your child!!! Sounds like you have a smart one there. My daughter is a first grade GT student! Happy Day! Deborah

I had 3 children in gifted programs in different cities in Texas and in other states. Some challenge kids thinking skill and some just increase academics. I agree with the others--that you need to talk with the school now to see if they can meet his needs. He sounds VERY gifted and unless you have a school that is very flexible I don't think they will meet his needs. Public schools just don't have the funding to provide adequately for individual needs. Good luck!! He has a good mother who is doing his best for him. And it's great you are working on those social skills. One of my daughters was younger than ever one in her grade and it was hard.

you might try enrolling him in a montesori school. weh ave a few here in san antonio. they are pricey, but they enroll kids as young as 18 months, so give them a call. i had a student once whose 5 year old daughter was gifted and she put her there.

Hi S.!
I don't know what part of Texas you are from, but I know in Corpus Christi there is a school that is specifically for gifted and talented kids. There is an actual application process and testing and it's a public school. Maybe you have something like that in your area. Or maybe try homeschooling if you are able to until he reaches the grade where gifted and talented programs are available.
H. F.

I am sure that it varies from school district to school district, but my son went into the GT program in Kindergarten. It has been several years, because he is now in 6th grade and still in the GT program. I would call the school district and get some advice prior to enrolling him. Even if he is in the GT program, it is likely that he will still get bored. Mine still does. :-) Good luck.

I am having the same problem you are my son is 3 almost 4 and can add some but hes an animal expert!!!! He can identify snakes and spiders and other bugs in a heart beat and tell me where they came from what species they are and even sometimes give me the 3 or 4 different names for the animal!! I have no idea what I am going to do when hes in school all that stuff is going to bore him to death!! And I dont think they have animal schools around abilene!!!! LOL Good luck and keep us posted!!

I would look into Montessori school. My daughter goes to St. Paul's Episcopal on Grayson and loves it. Montessori is an educational philosophy where the child takes the lead in deciding what and how fast they will learn, so your son would not get bored. He would be able to explore any are of his interest (with guidance) at any time. St. Paul's website is http://www.stpauls-satx.org/ and there are a few other schools in town. Good luck!

S.,
My daughter was the same way. She went to kindergarted when she was 4 at a private school. They put her there instead of preschool. She did great. When she started public school kindergarten, I informed the school and they tested her. You just have to be very persistant. If the parent asks for testing, the school must do it. You might want to request it early in writing. Also, he might be able to test out of kindergarten before school starts. I would start talking to the school this year. Also, if he is labeled "gifted" then they HAVE to give him gifted services. They cant wait until 3rd grade. Maybe they just dont test for gt until 3rd grade. But you can request otherwise. It is just like being labeled special ed. They have to give him gt services. I forget how many hours a week they should be getting of gifted services. My daughter was in trouble all of the time before they moved her up. She went to 1st grade about 1/2 way through kindergarten. It was much better. You are going to have to face the fact that your child is special. It is not easy! If you hold them back, they will be bored and not learn to their potential. If you move them forward they will have social problems. My daughter did have a hard time getting along with the other kids, but she had friends and I had her involved in after school things with kids her age. She is 12 now. She is in 8th grade and in all pre AP (advanced) classes. Most kids dont even know that she skipped a grade. She fits right in and has lots of friends. She is even a cheerleader this year! We could have moved her up another year, but we decided not to. Our school had advanced classes, so we took advantage of that. I would sugest moving your child up if that is where he needs to be. good luck! You can email me if you have more questions or concerns. I have LOTS of fun stories! :) It is very "fun" and very challenging to have a gifted child!
K.

I had the same dilemma, and fortunately, had great teachers for my son during the first two years of elementary school. (He was able to start the GT program in 1st grade, as well.) They divided the class into groups, depending on their skill level, so he was able to be challenged. Emotionally, I had to do a lot of praying. Finally, in first grade, he made a very good friend who was the same emotional level. We also enrolled him in sports, which kept both his mind and body active, plus it helped his self-esteem, being part of a team. I would definitely encourage you to find a sport your son likes. (My son clicked with martial arts - it involves serious mental skill, as well as physical exertion.) Sports help relieve pressure from being so smart that people expect a lot from you, and all the other stresses of just being a kid. :)

Also, if your school district won't start GT until the 3rd grade, I would just supplement at home. There are wonderful resources online. (Check out http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/math/multiply/.)

Good luck and good for you, for being such a caring, conscientious parent.
M. B

Well I dont know much but my sister-in-law has her daughter in a gifted and talented class if you live here in El Paso I understand that they get tested in Kindergarden to star the gofted and talented in 1st grade. My sister in law says that those classes are very intense because they get too much homework that you dont know what to do with it. But anyways those classes start in 1st not 3rd. good luck.

I am not sure what part of Texas you are in but there is a wonderful school in the valley called the IDEA academy. You might check into that. Also try outside help in tutoring your child to express his gifted abilities. You can do this by exploring areas that will stimulate his gifted mind; such as music. Maybe enroll him in private lessons (piano/guitar for example) the music theory will stimulate his cognitive mind and the actual playing will stimulate his creative mind. Hope this helps.

Musically yours,
M. Savedra

I'm not in Texas, but I can suggest contacting the Special Services part of your school board. Contact the director of special education (yes, gifted is classified under special education b/c it's not regular...) I know that in Louisiana, they can be tested starting at age 3 and can be tested every year after that. The montessori suggestion is very good. Montessori is a WONDERFUL way to go if you can afford it. They will let him work at his own pace no matter the age group he is placed with. By contacting the school board, you may find that they have some programs that are not widely known or something.

I am an elementary school teacher with a certification in PreK and kindergarten so i have a lot of experience with that age group and I can tell you from professional exerience that if your son is already bored with prek and can expess that opinion to you (besides his reading and math skills) he needs to be in a different program. Otherwise he will become more and more bored with school and not only will his grades begin to suffer but his behavior will also begin to change. He may begin to act out in class simply so that his has something stimulating to do. I would HIGHLY recommend a montessori school. If you go that route make sure that it is a true montessori school and not a "montessori based" program. The "montessori based" programs are a waste of our money especially for the truly gifted child. I would also see if he's ready for a full day program. Many preschool programs go full day for their four year olds and he may be ready for that. Personally i wouldn't recommend home schooling, especailly as he gets older. I think a lot of people don't realize how important the social interaction school provides is. You obviously do because you said that's why you started him in preschool to begin with. At any rate, a Montessori school is probably your best bet because it allows students to learn at their own speed and more independantly than "regular" schools. Godd luck to you! Raising a gifted child can be very challenging, but the rewards are so great. Let me know what you decide.

Hi, S., my name is T. and I live in Shreveport, Louisiana.... I have a 6 year old boy and he is extremely smart for his age... He attends a private school and is in First Grade... Last year they had to take the State Required IOWA test to be able to pass that grade.... His scores were enormous, every score was 2nd grade, 8th month to 3rd grade, 5th month and he was only in Kindergarten..... So I know how you feel, b/c now he's bored aqnd he gets in trouble.... Unfortunately his doesn't offer gifted programs at all..... I wish I could give you advice but I would love to know myself what could be done!!! I'll watch and see if anyone has ideas to help us both!! Good luck hun,

~T.~