I believe that gifted kids should be pushed if they seem interested in learning. At age 7, I found that I had an IQ of 151. I skipped one grade, but now I wish that I had skipped more. Now, I realized that if I don’t push myself, then no one will. I’m currently happily studying to take Calculus in my freshman year.
Still, I can only wonder… what would I be like if I had been really pushed?
What bothers me the most about this kid is not whether she is bright or not, whether she is really more unusual than other kids, and not whether she should be in Mensa or not. It’s not even about the reliability and validity of intelligence tests in early childhood (or anytime,for that matter).
It’s that we are confusing intelligence with memorization. It is clear that someone has worked with this child to memorize facts–rote lists. This is NOT intelligence, imo, no matter what any tester says. It’s memory. Even the one quote from the tester said that she “has a great memory”, so clearly that’s what they noticed.
Anyone who knows child development knows that you can teach any child anything with enough repetition and practice. Even a two year old. And if they have a naturally great memory, then it’s even easier. But it still isn’t what being “smart” is about–flexibility, innovation, divergent thinking, creativity, making connections…where are those things evident in memorizing capitols or reciting numbers in languages.
It does a disservice to genuinely brilliant children out there–the ones that are painting masterpieces, engaging in sophisticated logical argument, and able to synthesize, rather than recite, from a young age.
Leahsmom, of course there are female members of Mensa. One of the more famous female members is Geena Davis.
I do find it pretty hilarious that so many of you replied to this post with “my child does…” So the kid is exceptional, it happens once in a while. Don’t take it as some personal thing against your kid. My husband and I actually discussed that the man currently holding the highest IQ in the world works in construction or something like that because it makes him happy.
And avoiding tests at all costs is a little ridiculous.
my daughter said her first word at 5 months, mama, and then dada and GiGi (what she calls my mom) shortly after. She walked at 9 months, and is now 18 months, but has not started reading yet. she can name about 50% of the characters on Handy Manny, she does the brainstorm dance from Imagination Movers, she does the “Oh Toooodles” from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and she can do “red rum” from the Shining. (Which proves only that she watches too much tv)
But she does also know about 15-20 signs, quite a few animals, as well as their sounds, and most of her body parts.
I think she is pretty smart for her age. But I am most proud of the fact that she says sorry, please and thank you at the right times.
I am so skeptical of the bias in these tests, I’d avoid having my kid tested at all costs. I don’t know anything about Mensa – so if I learned that women were equally represented, and people from all countries of all ethnic backgrounds were, I might reconsider – but I am guessing that’s likely not the case.
This is just silly. My autistic two-year-old can say the entire alphabet and count to ten. She can also “read” plenty of words from the books she’s heard a hundred times. I guess I should sign her up for Mensa!
My now three year old read his first word at 15 months, could read over 100 words at 18 months, and spoke in full sentences by 21 months. He can count to 100 in English now, and to 10 in French and Japanese. He can read at approximately a grade two level and does math at a grade one level.
No, we haven’t had him tested, let alone had him join Mensa, because we feel needs to be a kid first. He picks things up fast; maybe he’s gifted. But the last thing he needs is to be pushed, especially at this age. I want him to enjoy being a kid while he can. Everything I have read on gifted kids and kids in general is that too much pressure takes the joy out of things. He loves his books now and loves reading them with us or by himself. He loves counting things and ordering them by size. And I love that he’s enthusiastic about it, and I encourage him, but that’s it.
Not that I’m saying that the parents in the story are pressuring their kids — it’s totally their decision. This is just what’s right for my kid.
Not that unusual. My oldest said her first words at 6 months ( “socks, good, momma and daddy”), walked at 9 months and spoke in full sentences by age 21 months ( “Mommy, I want to touch those flowers”)and could sing the ABC song by 24 months. Seriously some kids just pick things up fast. She is not a Mensa member though. Why bother. They dont send you anything cool for joining.
Toddlers have a lot to teach us about life
I believe that gifted kids should be pushed if they seem interested in learning. At age 7, I found that I had an IQ of 151. I skipped one grade, but now I wish that I had skipped more. Now, I realized that if I don’t push myself, then no one will. I’m currently happily studying to take Calculus in my freshman year.
Still, I can only wonder… what would I be like if I had been really pushed?
What bothers me the most about this kid is not whether she is bright or not, whether she is really more unusual than other kids, and not whether she should be in Mensa or not. It’s not even about the reliability and validity of intelligence tests in early childhood (or anytime,for that matter).
It’s that we are confusing intelligence with memorization. It is clear that someone has worked with this child to memorize facts–rote lists. This is NOT intelligence, imo, no matter what any tester says. It’s memory. Even the one quote from the tester said that she “has a great memory”, so clearly that’s what they noticed.
Anyone who knows child development knows that you can teach any child anything with enough repetition and practice. Even a two year old. And if they have a naturally great memory, then it’s even easier. But it still isn’t what being “smart” is about–flexibility, innovation, divergent thinking, creativity, making connections…where are those things evident in memorizing capitols or reciting numbers in languages.
It does a disservice to genuinely brilliant children out there–the ones that are painting masterpieces, engaging in sophisticated logical argument, and able to synthesize, rather than recite, from a young age.
Grrr.
I find it strange that this young child is being “crucified” like the historical Christ… for a gift granter HER… by Nature’s God.
Leahsmom, of course there are female members of Mensa. One of the more famous female members is Geena Davis.
I do find it pretty hilarious that so many of you replied to this post with “my child does…” So the kid is exceptional, it happens once in a while. Don’t take it as some personal thing against your kid. My husband and I actually discussed that the man currently holding the highest IQ in the world works in construction or something like that because it makes him happy.
And avoiding tests at all costs is a little ridiculous.
my daughter said her first word at 5 months, mama, and then dada and GiGi (what she calls my mom) shortly after. She walked at 9 months, and is now 18 months, but has not started reading yet. she can name about 50% of the characters on Handy Manny, she does the brainstorm dance from Imagination Movers, she does the “Oh Toooodles” from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and she can do “red rum” from the Shining. (Which proves only that she watches too much tv)
But she does also know about 15-20 signs, quite a few animals, as well as their sounds, and most of her body parts.
I think she is pretty smart for her age. But I am most proud of the fact that she says sorry, please and thank you at the right times.
I am so skeptical of the bias in these tests, I’d avoid having my kid tested at all costs. I don’t know anything about Mensa – so if I learned that women were equally represented, and people from all countries of all ethnic backgrounds were, I might reconsider – but I am guessing that’s likely not the case.
This is just silly. My autistic two-year-old can say the entire alphabet and count to ten. She can also “read” plenty of words from the books she’s heard a hundred times. I guess I should sign her up for Mensa!
My now three year old read his first word at 15 months, could read over 100 words at 18 months, and spoke in full sentences by 21 months. He can count to 100 in English now, and to 10 in French and Japanese. He can read at approximately a grade two level and does math at a grade one level.
No, we haven’t had him tested, let alone had him join Mensa, because we feel needs to be a kid first. He picks things up fast; maybe he’s gifted. But the last thing he needs is to be pushed, especially at this age. I want him to enjoy being a kid while he can. Everything I have read on gifted kids and kids in general is that too much pressure takes the joy out of things. He loves his books now and loves reading them with us or by himself. He loves counting things and ordering them by size. And I love that he’s enthusiastic about it, and I encourage him, but that’s it.
Not that I’m saying that the parents in the story are pressuring their kids — it’s totally their decision. This is just what’s right for my kid.
Not that unusual. My oldest said her first words at 6 months ( “socks, good, momma and daddy”), walked at 9 months and spoke in full sentences by age 21 months ( “Mommy, I want to touch those flowers”)and could sing the ABC song by 24 months. Seriously some kids just pick things up fast. She is not a Mensa member though. Why bother. They dont send you anything cool for joining.