How do you tell if your child is "gifted" or just very bright?

[muminjeans]

Hi - I am looking for some advice from anyone who knows a bit more about all this than me.
My 5 year old is undoubtedly very bright and has always been "different". His reading ability is a good 3 years ahead and he is very articulate talking to others. He loves learning and picks things up really quickly. He has always had a fantastic memory, remembering things in real detail.
He is doing well at school but the school have not identified him as anything other than a bright child. I am not really wanting him to be labelled but would like to know if he is more than bright if it means that he may get extra support or if it means I can get further advice on how best to help him. I want him to fulfil his potential but more than anything to be happy. (which he is now very happy )
Is there sdome sort of assessment he could have? I would rather not go through the school at this stage because I don't want them to think I am bragging or being too pushy.
Anyone advise? I just really want to do right by my boy!
Thanks.

[Hallgerda]

Unless there is a problem, why bother? Extra support may get in the way of your son learning to use his own initiative. And do you really want him to define himself as an unusually clever person and feel that he has to do "clever" things all the time (when he might really prefer to play football, say?).

[Itsthawooluff]

Thre are probably all kinds of assessments you could have, but tbh, why worry about it at this stage.

Your school have said he's bright, you're happy he's bright, he's happy. If you don't think the school are extending him enough, then that's a different matter, but I'd worry about that at 9 maybe, not 5.

I'd go to the library, and get interesting factual books, and look at them together. I really enjoyed the Horrible History / gruesome geography type books myself, and I learnt a whole load of stuff. Perhaps subscribe to Acquila - again maybe 5 a bit young, my 7 year old loves it!

[flamingtoaster]

There is a list which highlights some of the differences between the bright child and the gifted child. This is an American website - but this list appears in lots of websites and material about the gifted:

pages.framingham.k12.ma.us/sage/brightchild.htm

I wouldn't go for assessment at this stage - testing at this age can be unreliable. As itsthawooluff says 9 would be better (not least because the school would be more likely to accept the result then it can be argued any accelerated learning is likely to have evened out.).

If your child gets bored that's a different matter that would need to be raised with the school. As for doing things at home Aquila is good, there are loads of interesting sites for children on the internet (obviously under supervision), if he is interested in kitchen science then www.thenakedscientists.com/ is excellent.

If you have a local Explorers Club (local branches of the NAGC which run interesting and fun activities for children) he might enjoy that. You can check if you have a local branch on www.nagcbritain.org.uk/ While not agreeing with all of the NAGC philosophy (I think their It's all right to be bright day is very misguided) we did find Explorers clubs great fun and very useful.

[muminjeans]

Sorry - had to nip out - thanks for your replies. Think I will see how he goes for a while. Thanks for advice