Gifted Child

I probably have no business posting here, but all the boards at IV pique my curiosity. Anyway, I have a 10 month old who is really bright. She says mama, dada, dog, duck, poo and will try to say/repeat anything I say. It's really cool and a little creepy. I feel like I'm with a much older baby. She grabbed a dirty diaper the other day and took it to the bathroom! I cracked up - I guess she knows where the "poo" goes. Hilarious.

From what I'm reading on this board, "gifted" children need a lot of interaction. Mine, though really bright, seems to entertain herself endlessly. She'll study something forever. When I was a kid they had me in the gifted programs, but I was more like her and less what I'm reading about what "gifted" means.

Just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on that or what your gifted kids were like as babies. Thanks!

I don't think you can say across the board that all gifted kids need a lot of interaction.  Both of my kids got a lot of interaction as infants and toddler, whether they wanted it or not, because that's just who I am.  But as they've developed into little people (DD10 and DS7), they are very different.  DD wants a lot of interaction.  DS is happy to entertain himself for hours.  He talks constantly, but not necessarily looking for a response. 

And while DS hasn't been tested, I suspect that he has more natural intellect than DD, although DD is more ambitious and self-motivated and will probably perform at a slightly higher level.

I'm sure you know that you can't "teach" your child to be gifted.  She either is or she isn't, and the best thing you can do is follow her cues.  As she grows, answer her questions, or help her find the answers.  Indulge her curiosity, and give her the opportunity to explore her interests.  And for now, if she wants to entertain herself, just enjoy that.  After DD, who we joke is like gum on my shoe, I was thrilled to have a child that didn't need constant interaction.

Hm, that's interesting! I stay at home so I interact with her by virtue of being here. She likes to play a lot of "pretend" games, like feeding mommy imaginary food and this-duck-is-a-baby type of things.

I dunno, I was just kind of stopping in. I can't believe how many specialized boards there are! I saw one for "medium sized families" and I'm like, aren't we all? LOL!

Your kids sound great. Thanks for responding :)

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I think it's typical that gifted children have a lot of intensity. Depending on temperament that intensity can display itself as a need for near-constant stimulation and interaction. Alternatively, though, for children who are more introverted by nature it can display itself as a laser-like focus on their own inner worlds. Some children will be somewhere in between.

Miranda

Mine dd (20 months) is way too young to be even remotely considered gifted, but she is likely advanced. If she does end up being gifted, it will likely be on the lower end. From reading the posts on this board, it sounds like all lo's (gifted) temperaments are different.

I can tell you that up until recently, my lo desired for nearly constant interaction. Just in the last month, she has gotten to the point where she will play for 20 min with a toy by herself. Regardless, she has a spirited and always on the go type of temperament(and always has) - think constant movement and talking...

BTW - welcome to the board. I mainly lurk as I rarely have anything valuable to add to the discussion lol. I have gotten a lot from reading all of the other discussions though!

For some interesting reading, you may wish to Google "levels of giftedness" as your lo sounds pretty advanced.

Ali