NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/misc/educatio/6110

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-24 | 3.5 KB

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From: [e-mail] (Grace Sylvan)
Newsgroups: misc.education,misc.kids,sci.edu
Subject: Re: Branding kids, IQ tests, smart vs dumb (Was: Re: Seminar Program)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Date: 24 Jan 93 23:13:30 GMT
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Sender: [e-mail] (Grace Sylvan)
Organization: Sylvan Associates
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   I hope I've got this right:

   In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Kenneth Staffan (x37507)) writes:

   >It's funny that this topic has come up just now.  About a week ago, one
   >of my 21-month-old son's preschool teachers pulled me aside.  She told me that
   >she thought he was gifted in languages, because his vocabularly is at the level
   >of the 3-4 year old class, rather than the toddler class he is in.  I don't
   >know what she must have thought of me!  I told her that I thought all of
   >the kids were gifted in certain aspects, etc.  She corrected me, and said
   >that no, this was special, and I should get him tested, nurture the
   >skill, challenge him, etc.

I do think it's important that you accept this - she's not saying
'he's the best in the class', she's saying 'he's got an UNUSUALLY
special ability in this area, and you should be aware if it'. Here's
some of the issues I could see coming up -- he gets frustrated by his
toddler friend's inability to use and/or understand words. He gets
bored and decides to start talking like everyone else in his class
because he isn't getting positive feedback. Certainly, he is a 21
month old, too, with many 21 month old needs, so he won't be moved up
to play with the 3-4 year olds. Then again, he might not get as
frustrated (in certain ways) because he can communicate very well.

My daughter has good (but not exceptional, a few of her friends have
been on about the same level, while many other children weren't doing
as well) communication skills. She also has had quite an interest in
the alphabet and reading. When she was 1.5 she (on her own, with the
help of Sesame Street maybe) learned the letter 'Q'. Now, at almost
3.5, she knows the alphabet (although she still sometimes makes
mistakes) can read her name (Kathy), Robin, Mommy and Daddy. She can
accurately count objects up to 5. She can usually recite numbers up to
20, although the other day we went up to 30, and she clearly got the
pattern.  We haven't been formally teaching her, although we read to
her and sometimes play short number and letter games with her. She
loves to sing songs, wants to learn to read, loves art. She also wants
to go to 'school', so perhaps I'll be starting a short 'school'
segment for her sooner than I'd planned to, since we're planning on
homeschooling. But I watch what she's interested in - and then make
sure she's got the materials and opportunity to continue her interest,
without pushing it.

--

Tigger (Grace Sylvan)                Mom of Katherine Yelena, 8/8/89,
[e-mail]              Corey 1/31/91; we loved him so,
                                     Robin Gregory born 2/28/92

 "It seems to me that our large goal is to find the ways to help our
 children become humane and strong."

              - Dr Haim Ginott quoted by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish