[el_loco.tortuga]

My daughter is 2 1/2 years old. Until recently we haven't really started 'teaching' her, but we just let her learn as she pleased. About 2 days ago we really started working with her after hearing that there were new knowledge requirements for some kindergartens.

After just a day of working with her, she cans already recognise 5 or 6 letters on sight. She can also sing the whole ABC song and many others. We've given she some letter and matching puzzles to play with and she completes them quickly.

Her vocabulary is over 200 words even though she didn't start talking until about 6 months ago. We've always said that she's incredibly smart but does anyone think that she might be 'Gifted'?

[smoothy]

Its too early to know if she is gifted or not... its going to take some years before that's certain. She might however be a quick learner, and ahead of the curve. And that's a good thing.

[Wondergirl]

I wouldn't worry about "giftedness" now. Instead, spend time making up/telling and reading her stories, going on walks and counting the tress or flowers or birds, go to the library to get books on trees and flowers and birds so she learns their names, let her help you with baking and cooking (there are simple, safe jobs she can do), take her grocery shopping with you and talk about all the food you see, lie on the grass and look up at puffy clouds to figure out what shapes they are, draw pictures with her with pencils and crayons and then tell stories about the pictures, play with stuffed animals and dollies and pretend they are in school, sing songs with her, clap your hands, march around the room (make music a part of her life), play word games with her, play Concentration (the Memory Game) by turning over face-down pairs of tiles or cards and then flip them two at a time over while taking turns to find matches. Stretch her imagination and let her use her brain. Teach her about taking turns and being patient and following directions.

Enjoy her, and help her enjoy life and stay busy!

[PinkHarley]

Frequently Asked Questions About Extreme Intelligence in Very Young Children

http://www.davidsongifted.org/db/Articles_id_10162.aspx


It is sad that K is the new 1st grade, and many classes expect children to come in almost reading already.
Don't worry about giftedness. Just work on enriching her learning experience.

Read to her, a lot. Teach her to love learning.

[Alty]

It sounds like she's right on track. I wouldn't say she's gifted, but normal, based on what I've seen in other kids her age.

Just keep teaching her new things, make it fun, and she should be more than ready for Kingergarten when the time comes. :)

[joypulv]

Some gifted children grow up to be mediocre adults, and say it was because of too high expectations.
There may be many; we only hear about the ones who succeed.
Throughout history, famous and extraordinary thinkers, scientist, inventors, and artists often succeeded against incredible odds.