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Gifted and talented

16 month old - may be G&T am i doing enough?

47 replies

mozarellamamma · 20/02/2007 12:28

Hello there

My daughter is chatting away and talking in (very) rudimentary sentences. Various health proffessionals from pediatricians to the GP have commented on her being bright. Not too worried about measuring if that's the case right now but I'd really welcome any suggestions on the kinds of activities and toys others have found to be right for their children. Want to be sure I'm not missing anything she needs that's all. Cheers - MM

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coffeepot · 20/02/2007 13:06

Talk to her, read to her, sing to her, point out birds and animals and plants when you go out for walks. Look at farm animals. Feed ducks. Teach her the names of the different flowers as they appear in the spring. Give her picture books (real ones if she can handle them). Sellotape large sheets of plain paper to your kitchen cabinets at her level and let her draw on them with chunky wax crayons. Count everything. Show her how M is Mummy?s letter and D is Daddy?s letter and is her letter. Have fun together. Go to a zoo.

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Aloha · 20/02/2007 13:08

Don't be daft She's a BABY! She needs, love, cuddles, conversation, playing, stories, food, fresh air and sleep.

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tissy · 20/02/2007 13:11

Agree with aloha. Don't enrol her with Mensa yet!

G+T is a label is that applied WITHIN SCHOOLS to make sure that able children receive approriate stimulation.

I'm afraid that this is the second time today that I will have to call you daft, MM!

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Twiglett · 20/02/2007 13:11

um .. sorry to burst your bubble but some kids just talk early, its not a G&T issue

.. DS had first words at 10 months and built up to eloquent sentences by 18 months .. doesn't mean G&T .. some kids progress on different things .. DD didn't speak at all until after 2 .. I think DD is actually a bit brighter than DS (she's 2.9 / he's 6)

love your baby .. read, chat and sing and have fun

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Piffle · 20/02/2007 13:13

Agree you have a bright toddler, read, sing take her out and engage with her
G+T is a label that is applied in relation to school progress and ability.

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LIZS · 20/02/2007 13:16

Agree with Aloha . Enjoy her first and foremost, it won't be long before she becomes a stroppy toddler who won't sit still or do what you want (or maybe that was just mine !). Take her for walks, share stories and laughter, and respond to her pointing. Let her learn through experience not early academic toys , books or computer games, there is time for that yet.

Sorry to burst your bubble but professionals often say chatty, active babies are "bright" - it's polite but non commital! - but that has very little relevance to their view of her future development and potential.

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magnolia1 · 20/02/2007 13:16

My eldest was having big conversations with me at 18 months. She is now 11 and still doesn't shut up!!!

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TeeCee · 20/02/2007 13:18

Bless you She does sound bright, and wonderful, but it's not unheard of at all. Just enjoy her.

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Greensleeves · 20/02/2007 13:19

Yes, daft - that's the word I was groping for!!

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Twiglett · 20/02/2007 13:20

can she jump?

DS couldn't for ages

verbal skills faster than gross motor IYSWIM

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magnolia1 · 20/02/2007 13:26

same here twiglet, dd1 could talk for england but didn't sit till she was 7 months or crawl till she was 9 months!

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frances5 · 20/02/2007 13:34

I am sure your kid is bright and lovely. I am glad that your daughter has good speech. It makes everyone's life easier.

However I think the sort of kids that are good for special needs children are also good for gifted and talented tots. (if there is such a thing!)

Mother and baby groups, prehaps a season ticket to the Zoo, swimming, making mud pies, painting, reading stories, music, singing, play dough.

Even bright children enjoy play. Its too early to say which children are gifted and talented as development is journey rather than a race.

My son is under the local child development centre because developmental delay. He had physio and they spotted he had a hearing impairment. He is in reception and he can read almost anything. He also has lots of friends.

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OttergavebirthonValentines · 20/02/2007 13:34

my dd(12) is staying behind school tonight for extra tuition for maths students who show 'particular promise'

she did not crawl until 12 months

She did not walk unitl 16 months

she did not speak until 2

She was fat and happy

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Aloha · 20/02/2007 13:37

My daughter is GENIUS but she likes tipping the cat food on teh floor best.

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coffeepot · 20/02/2007 13:38

Just wanted to add that I agree with the
others that 16 months is very young to be
identifying a child a gifted - just didn't want to be the first to say it - enjoy her and have fun with her like you would with any toddler.

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ScottishThistle · 20/02/2007 13:43

I agree with the majority...let your baby be a baby & treat her as you would any other child...Advanced speech doesn't mean a child will be a genius in my experience.

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MrsGoranVisnjic · 20/02/2007 22:03

do you think they might move this whole thread to the PFB one if we ask nicely

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AitchTwoOh · 20/02/2007 22:07

MrsGV

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MrsGoranVisnjic · 20/02/2007 22:08

sorry dat was norty

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wychbold · 20/02/2007 22:34

MM: You said that you want to be sure that you are not missing anything...

(a) make sure that you are not in such a rush that you miss out 'stages'. For example, there is a theory that says that dyspraxia is caused by babies going straight from sitting to walking: they do not develop some co-ordination skills because they missed out the crawling stage.
Similarly, make sure that social skills are developed, as they often lag behind intellectual growth (and can even be behind 'normal' kids).
(b) If your DD is ordinarily Gifted then just do the usual baby-development stuff. If she is highly Gifted then she will tell you what she needs.

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figroll · 21/02/2007 10:49

Oh gosh - I thought my first was a genius at 3 because she could read a really complex book. It was only when I took it away from her, that I realised she had memorised it from start to finish - how disappointing.

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KathG · 21/02/2007 10:49

wychbold, can you point me direction of dyspraxia/not crawling info - instantly made me think of one of my friend's DS who is now 5 and struggling with formal school but definitely bright.

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Pickledcat · 21/02/2007 10:53

KathG, have a look at The Dyspraxia Foundation .

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chopchopbusybusy · 21/02/2007 11:00

Agree with the others really - although some may have been a bit harsh .
My DD1 did not talk until she was 2 - but was very mobile and was walking well by her first birthday. DD2 was chatting from 10 months but preferred to sit on her butt! DD1 is now very academically able - DD2 is performing at expected levels. Just relax and see how it goes. She will guide you on which toys are best suited so just try a selection (DD1 loved puzzles - DD2 didn't). Good luck.

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mozarellamamma · 21/02/2007 14:47

great thanks all. To be honest i don't care about labels and stuff and I'm not saying she is or isn't anything - I'm just reassured that yes I am enjoying her and doing all the things many of you have suggested. To be fair at the groups we go to her peers all seem mush less engaged hence my question - am i doing enough.
I do think some of you have been a bit harsh though I was really only looking for a heads up and some construcitve advice - being called daft etc. seems rather rude and unfair and not at all feminist in its tone but perhaps I'm just a bit of an idealist....mm

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