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My Therapist / BR / Long
I've gone to talk to my counselor a few times now. We've mostly been discussing what treatment plan would be best for me. It's a bit tricky since I'm mainly going right now because I'm surrounded by depressed people and not having problems with my own mental health at the moment. But we're figuring things out.
A huge stress for me lately has been Little A. For quite a while I thought I was the hugest Mombie ever (which I admit I am) because I was always amazed by how smart he is.. but now other people have noticed. So the therapist is getting in touch with some specialists and urged me to make an appointment with his pediatrician and wants me to take him for testing.
It's been ridiculous to me how many programs there are for children who are delayed for just about any reason.. but there is nothing available for children of above average intelligence. It's quite irritating. So far most people have suggested home schooling - which is essentially what I've been doing already. But I'm trying to plan ahead. I don't want him to be homeschooled forever, and I don't want him to be painfully bored when he is old enough to get into an actual school either.
At this point he's already learned everything from the suggested preschool list. I've sucked it up and given him activities way past the age appropriate mark. (He's one but I give him puzzles for four year olds.. and then mix the pieces together from three of them.)
He's taking the basics and going way further with them. Shapes they recommend teaching at his age are things like circles, squares, triangles, maybe a rectangle. He knows the difference between pentagon, hexagon, and octagon. Professionals recommend starting to teach the letters. He's already saying his ABCs from memory, and actually started spelling and reading words. He read the word shapes the other day after spelling it out. He knows the sounds the letters make, he was reading cursive.
In an effort to keep him well rounded I've had him start helping with chores. He takes dirty dishes to the sink, helps with all the aspects of laundry, gives toys to the dogs and his sister, picks up garbage and recycling, etc.
Another suggestion was teaching some foreign language. We've started ASL, Spanish, French, German. He's getting all of it after hearing/seeing it once or twice.
I'm just freaking out because there's no way I can keep up with him at this point. He wakes up and comes bursting out of his room with letters built out of Legos.. he wants to learn all day long. His favorite 'toy' is a dry erase board.
His favorite game is Scrabble now. What freaking one year old plays Scrabble?! FFS
So now I'm just worried that once we start the testing I have to be careful not to let it get carried away.. and only do the things he seems to be interested in. I remember how much it sucked missing out on fun kid stuff because of I.Q. testing at school.
Re: My Therapist / BR / Long
No real point to this other than it is exhausting and I have other things that also need my time/attention.
*sigh*
I remember you posted a FB video of his skills and I was like WHOA when he knew more than 'basic' shapes. And then when he was in the hospital and nurses thought he was 3 and a half.
Have you looked into private schools that have I.Q. - based classrooms? Okay, they're not I.Q. based but we have some schools here that may have 1st through 4th graders in one class together because they're all at the same learning level. It attempts to challenge kids that are beyond their "normal" age level, and helps those that are below the average (many kids move up a grade because that's what everyone their age does, but they may not be ready so this helps them. They do graduate with their age, though. I think.)
It annoys me that schools and programs only cater to kids with learning disabilities. Yes, they need help, obviously, and it's great that it's provided, but the programs act like the smart kids can deal with everything on their own. It's just as much of a developmental and social hurdle to realize that you're advanced as it is to realize that you have troubles in areas. Either way, it makes you feel "seperate". I was always middle of the road, but I had friends on both sides and they generally complained about the same things: feeling like they didn't belong with their peers.
I hope you can find a good program for A, so he can take advantage of his skills and know that he's completely normal for having them.
He is a little genius, I will agree with you there. He does so many things that my friend's 2 year old hasn't even mastered yet, and I have taken notice based on your videos and FB updates. I can see how that would be both exciting and terrifying at the same time, I mean who wants their kid to be smarter than them?
(that's a joke, btw, you are no dummie)
It sounds like you are doing a great job at preparing yourself and him for what is to come next, so that's wonderful! I hope the therapist can provide useful insight and guidance to help ease the pressure you are feeling about it.
I am sure you will be able to keep up the good work and A will continue to thrive without being bored, you are a plethora of ideas and craft projects, it seems! Let me know when he builds his first robot, especially if it's one that fetches wine and beer.
The other issue is that most places won't work with children under the age of three. And the children need to be potty trained. He's not developmentally of the age to be potty trained yet, he might be able to do it, but I've heard that pushing it can make it take longer.
Places just aren't set up for people this little being this smart.
It just isn't going to work.. and I'm trying to plan ahead.
This.
Also, I think it's cool that you're making such great efforts for him. I mean, he's learning like 4 languages? Right on! You're a great mom and you're raising a great kid.. I also think his intelligence is directly correlated with what you've done for him.
I don't really have advice, but I think it's great that you're working with him as much as you are. I can see how it would be both exciting and daunting.
I know nothing about kids, but if you're worried about socialization, do you think it would help to socialize him with older kids? He picks up on everything fast, so maybe it would help, if not now but in the long run.
I agree with all of this. And I know you are worried about socialization, but you have involved in community events through the library and the museums, correct?
I can definitely understand why this is a cause of stress for you, but it sounds like you are doing a wonderful job with him and giving him great opportunites to grow. I hope you find something that help teach him and continue to challenge him.
Wow, it sounds like you have a little genius on your hands, all of that is really impressive!
Unfortunately I have no advice, I don't have experience with any super smart people
I'm sorry you're having stress due to being the mommy of a genius
But seriously, A will find his place in the world and he has a great mother to help him with that. My gifted classes were always part of the public school system, so I really can't give you any meaningful advice. I just think your little boy is amazing!
I definitely agree it has a lot to do with the parenting. The 9 month-old (oh hey! Today actually is the 9-month mark!) I nanny for is no where near the intelligence levels of A, but according to the parents, she is doing things a lot faster/sooner than their 1st two kids. I don't want to say I'm the only reason she's doing what she is, but they didn't use a nanny for their first 2 and from how they parent (put the kid in front of the TV and tell them to be quiet), I can say that I really try to push her to do things (example of some of the things "I" taught her: holding a bottle, crawling, clapping her hands)
There has got to be a forum or support group out there for kids like this, right?
Maybe try asking around some autism boards? Autism can produce some serious savants and they might have ideas for keeping him busy.
Good luck with everything! You have a cool little kid there!
-- Thoughts become things, choose the good ones! --
I'm just lurking because I'm bored at work...
What about music? There is so much to learn, then he can compose and create for himself. It'd be a one-time expense vs other types of art. But any art would be great for that smart little mind.
I have been thinking about maybe doingg daycare a few hours a week so he can socialize without me there.
We do a ton of crafts and art projects, I kid you not.. I bought a POUND of gems for him to glue on stuff. I am constantly trying to fund new things for him to do.
I remember his FB video debut as well. What a kid!
Some public schools do have programs for gifted kids. My school district had something where we left class for a couple hours each week to do an advanced study...Japanese culture, Egyptian culture, etc. followed by some challenging games.
Also, there is a high school linked to our university that advances the students to graduate one year early.
And, finally, I dated a guy that was home-schooled and he did graduate almost 2 years early. Home schooling doesn't always mean just you and your kids home alone each day - he was part of a group of home schooled children.
Good luck!
I know that must be stressful, but I have to say...WAY TO GO LITTLE A! And, way to go Ala! That is wonderful.
Have you considered a Montessori school? Are there any in your area? They tend to be pricey, but from what I've heard they're very much worth it.
My oldest nephew was very advanced for his age. He was reading "chapter" books before he got to elementary school and it sounds like Little A is on this track as well. Montessori school before attending elementary was a great way for my nephew to focus on learning even more and getting some time outside the home. The only problem with this was that by the time he reached traditional kindergarten, he was bored out of his mind. He ended up skipping a grade and could have skipped several more but they kept him in place for social reasons.
Anyway, you may not have that problem of being bored if you homeschool Little A and can tailor the material based on what he's ready for. But I just thought I'd mention Montessori because it would fulfill his desire to learn more without you having to worry about keeping up and having another baby at home.
Aside from all of this, I hope you're doing ok and find a treatment plan that works for you soon.
Ok. I missed this before and just saw it which answers my questions about Montessori. Sorry for being repetitive!
Anyway, good luck deciding what to do.
I agree with socializing him with older kids. If he doesn't like being around kids his age, see if there are any groups of moms who have 4 year olds or so and see if he likes them
My mom was in your boat when she had me. I was walking and talking at 8 months, I was reading books that had multiple chapters in them by the time I was 3. I was bored constantly in school because of it. I knew more than anyone in my classes and hated it. It didn't help that I was also a bigger child (I was the tallest until 5th grade). I just hope you can find something to help A out with his intelligence so he doesn't end up bored like I was.
I had a dream about you last night actually baby W was the star of my dream you were letting me stay at your house and I was watching her
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