January--what are they doing now? - Page 3

[physmom]

Originally Posted by OperaMom 

Hi all, I read the posts occasionally and thought I'd chime in:

My 9 yr old DD, 3rd grade, is in challenge class for reading and math, and just started reading "A Wrinkle in Time" which I'm excited about as it is one of my favorite books too. She has started to be interested in baking and food-chemistry related science, as we got her a few of those types of projects for Christmas. She is very creative and constantly making art projects. She plays violin in the local youth orchestra and is working on La Cinquataine and the last couple pieces in Suzuki book 4. She is highly spirited, sensitive and introverted, and just when you think she is older than she seems, she decides to see what would happen if she puts the eraser end first in the electric pencil sharpener! Actually I think it was another way of stalling getting her homework done - now that she can't sharpen her pencils anymore. Good thing we have a stash of mechanical ones!

My almost 7 yr old DD is in first grade. This week she was tested for reading and missed only one word on the 6th grade reading test, so the teacher is hoping they can give her some kind of extra challenge work as the gifted program doesn't start until 3rd grade. She plays violin also and is working on the last few songs of Suzuki book 2 and has a great memory and ear. She has been singing songs on pitch since she was 10 months old, and we aren't sure if she has perfect pitch but we think it is close. Her writing has improved to the point she can now write her feelings and thoughts - especially when she is mad at her sister. She expresses herself well and constantly narrates her day. She loves dancing and is excited to go back to ballet class as we took a little break after a move to a new town. She is more extroverted than her sister but still would rather keep quiet in the classroom sometimes. She is highly sensitive to others' feelings and feels things very deeply if she or another student gets in trouble. She can't stand it if anyone is mad at her, but she is learning now to stand up for herself when her sister gets too bossy.

I am juggling being a grad student (studying for doctoral comps now) and being a wife and mom. I don't always have time to write here but I am appreciative of these forums when I  am looking for parenting tips, especially for gifted and highly sensitive kids. Thanks to everyone who shares their ideas!

-Heather

I was there not that long ago.  Good luck with your thesis! 

Originally Posted by ellemenope 

A[QUOTE]It is just so interesting because she can remember all these birthdays, seems to understand that say 10 is more than 5, but still won't really count (enumerate)![/QUOTE] This had been really intriguing me about DD and to be honest, I was beginning to wonder if she needed me to work with her. I am really facsinated in the developmental leaps between rote counting and enumeration. DD understood two of something at around 12 months. She has counted things up to four. She can rote count beyond 20 now with a few mistakes. And, now at just past 2.5 she is counting her fingers. This was completely out of the blue. We have never tried to make her count anything. We have just learned that is not how it works, lol. She started by counting one hand and announcing she had five fingers on that hand, then counted the other, then counted them both up to ten. Then, when the second go came up with nine, and she was like 'wait a minute.'.

 

DD´s counting is always interesting too.  She can get up to 25 now counting but likes to skip a few in between (but at least she´s consitant about it ;) ).  However, due to her skipping numbers her enumeration is always pretty off to.  I´m sure it will come eventually.  Some days she seems to graps it much better than others but the thing she absolutely won´t do is count if she´s not in the mood!   She also gets some of the numbers mixed up when she seems them.  2 and 7 seem to be especially tricky!

[physmom]

As to what DD´s been up to.  Well, she´s been going through A LOT of changes between a move, having to give up our cat (thankfully to a family friend due to DH´s severe allergies :( ), and finding out she´s going to be a big sister.  It hasn´t been easy on her and we´ve seen her behavior become more high-strung/clingy/nervous because of it.  Our pediatrician suspects allergies (wouldn´t be a surprise considering our family history) and says it´s pretty likely she does have sensory issues (although it hasn´t affected her development but she said to keep an eye on it when she starts preschool soon).  So we have a lot to chew on (and testing for the allergies to persue). 

Beyond that we´ve been having a ton of fun conversations.  I can´t remember them word for word but one was about the new baby.  When I told her I had a baby in my belly she was asking if she had one too or DH.  I explained that only mommies could have babies in their bellies and she seemed to be ok with that.  Then she wanted the baby to come out so she could play with it so I explained that it had to get bigger and bigger before it could come out.  She seemed ok with that and decided that the belly button seemed both a good place for the baby to leave the belly and was also some sort of direct line to the baby when she wants to talk to it. She´s also been quite concerned about what the baby is eating and drinking while in my belly (this eventually led to a long conversation about fuel/energy and what cars/airplanes consume) and seems to be ok with the idea that the baby is going to nurse after it comes out (although I have a feeling that´s because she hasn´t actually seen it in person yet and once it happens in reality we´re going to have some serious jealousy issues!).  Oh, and right around the time she turned 2  it´s like a switch went off in her head and all of a sudden she figured out how to do jigsaw puzzles.  So far she´s done a 4 piece and 9 piece almost entirely on her own.  It´s fun to watch because I know she´s wanted to be able to do them for awhile and has really struggled with it so it´s great to see her finally doing them.

[Tigerle]

I gave DS a book about fantasy machines and he's now been designing his own - today on the park for instance, a dessert machine that shows the dessert it can make on a screen, and if you don't like it you press the red button for more choices - and as soon you've been shown the one you want, you just press the yellow button and hey presto. I told him I'd love one.

He's executing the neatest drawings, with amazing detail - I am such a loser when it comes to stuff like scanning and putting things on the web, but I'd love to put some up for a discerning crowd like this one. Maybe I can get DH to help me sometime...

We are working hard on self-regulation. It's my one learning goal for DS for the rest of the preschool year, at the end of which I want them to assent to early entry in the K pullout program. My aunt (mom's cousin, really) came for a rare visit. She remembered the extremely advanced, mature-seeming and well behaved little boy from almost two years ago and was quite disconcerted with his rigidity, inflexibility, overreaction to sudden touch and tendency to melt down at the slightest frustration. She remembered hearing similar things about her sister's little boy (my age now, but living in another country, so I never met those cousins) and described him as "intellectually so advanced just like yours, but emotionally quite delayed". Whoops. I explained about develpment of prefrontal lobes http://eideneurolearningblog.blogspot.com/2006/06/blessings-and-burdens-of-high-iq.html and asynchrony but there is no question that we have our work cut out for us. It's sobering to get another perspective like that.

I have started to read "Smart but scattered" and have completely given up on unconditional parenting now. Sorry Alfie, it's just not working anymore. Reason and logic are immaterial to an out of control little boy, emotionally delayed or whatnot. I pass out rewards and warnings with abandon "hit me again and there'll be no nature DVD", "keep your drink in your mouth or there will not be dessert", "if you put all the toys in the box in time for your aunt to arrive you can watch another episode". "that's it - no video. " Then in reverse. "If you won't make me say things three times over until we're done, you can earn it back."

DS also told me about wanting another little boy to come to play but he won't, because DS annoys him so. Double whoops. I have told him to cut things out  when he is out of control and hurting me, warning him that kids might not want to play with him if he goes on acting like that, but it's heartbreaking to have that natural consequence come to pass.

Edited to add a fun little tidbit:

DS stated he was already looking forward to Easter. Because of the Easter Eggs, of course. Pause. "Mama, is the easter bunny for real or is it just the parents pretending?" Umm. Had to fall back on tried and tested "He's for real if you want to believe in him." DS happily said: "I want to, then!" Whew. I really enjoy pretending so much!

I have had similar probing questions about the actual historical existence of saints Martin and Nicholas, and lately about Jesus. Ha.

[expecting-joy]

Originally Posted by Tigerle 

Originally Posted by expecting-joy 

DD6 is finally bringing home appropriate work. I am ecstatic. The best part of that is she will stay with this teacher next year, so we won't have to waste another half-year next year while the teacher figures out what she can do. Exhale.

Thank you!

[joensally]

expecting-joy: that's great news!! 

Tigerle:  meh re your aunt's comment.  Emotionally-immature is a catch-all, broad term.  I think that what's going on with some of these kids is a subtle, confusing interplay of a bunch of variables that look like "emotional immaturity."  Try being in a body that feels things more acutely and can't filter environmental stimuli, in a brain that intuits nuance and emotion, with an imagination that can envision all kinds of scenarios that could be extremely exciting or extremely scary, and then try to have a muted response to your world. 

I'm glad you're reading Smart but Scattered.  It's a great book, IMO.  AP includes doing what your child needs.  I think of it as being their prefrontal cortex by proxy :).  I'm loaning them my common sense or judgement when they can't access their own.  Over time, they take the con more often (sorry, I live with sci-fi fans). 

I recently had multiple meetings re DS at school and they were just joyful about his current orientation and performance and the huge changes we're seeing.  He's just over 8 and you wouldn't believe the difference since he was 3 or 4.  He's just awesome and has made huge strides in self-regulation.  He's still his quirky, imaginative, passionate self, but he's just able to deal with the world better. Oh, and he also hates unexpected touch, but is much better at rolling with it.

[dessismama]

Originally Posted by moominmamma 

Dd16 is practicing up a storm for her National Youth Orchestra audition which we just found out is next weekend.

And he got totally stoked by some new viola repertoire he was given just before Christmas: the magnificent Schubert Arpeggione sonata in particular. He's taught himself the first two pages and is now chomping at the bit waiting to receive the last two in the mail from his viola teacher with her fingerings and bowings. 

Best of luck to your daughter!! DS LOVES the Arpeggione Sonata, but it is on the list of pieces to be learned later....:) It is quite the challenging piece on the cello.
 

[pranava]

While at the library with 21 month old DS, he spotted a book on the shelf that we had checked out about 5 months ago.  He started shouting the title and trying to climb the shelves to get it.  When I got it down for him, he "read" it to me nearly word for word.  I'm sure he wasn't actually reading it, but I think that's a pretty good memory for his age.  

Today while in the cart at the store he said, " Ummmmm, I think ummmm, I'm bored.  Hey, I'm bored!!!"    Uh-oh, I have a feeling that may be the first time I hear that statement but it definitely won't be the last! 

[St. Margaret]

Man, it's nice to read about all these kiddos :)

DD seems to have been on a reading explosion.  We could tell she was doing more and more... now she can read easy readers with some help with the occasional word (like "orangecicle" in the latest Mr. Putter book, lol), though she tends to abandon a book just before finishing it.  I read her a new one and she immediately wanted to read it back to me.  She really showed off for my sis and BIL when they visited this weekend-- she kept wanting to read him books and he was amazed in his way (this is my genius bil who works for google--he was nicely calm about it tho-- didnt gush like the ILs).  She clearly decided to knock his socks off, lol.

Then there are the fairies.

Now, she's been getting more and more into fairies for a while now.  Tinkerbell movies, then the Rainbow Magic series (she reads one a night with DH normally), then the fairy garden my mom set up for her Christmas gift... she can basically write a Rainbow Magic book, talking in the style of the books (horrid I know) with dialogue and different fairies and problems and then clever ways of throwing a goblin off balance so they can steal back the whatever.  Every walk we go on she makes up a new adventure for a different fairy, and we are the two girls.  Then, we discovered the Flower Fairies.  We got the CD from a friend and liked it, and then we got the book from the library.  DD has sat with that book, often with the CD playing, going over and over each song, learning them all.  She has entire songs memorized and is working on the others, probably has most of them by now.  She sings each song in the voice of the singer (nasal little kid voice, dreamy woman's voice, etc).  She makes up poses for the songs, or marches around, and then draws the pictures from the book out on her doodlepad.  I have the songs running through my head night and day (up with a babe at night) because she sings them NONSTOP.  Except when making up her own songs and stories for her fairies.  Where she incorporates vocab from the songs.  She is so clearly sitting down to study the songs, and reads them over and over--DH says that's how he taught himself to read, from lyrics on a billy joel record.....  It's amazing and also I kinda want to go crazy (nonstop! and no sleep with baby right now).  Ahhh I just had to get it out. 

[loraxc]

DD is visiting the gifted magnet soon. We have been to see the program and were pretty darn impressed. It looks like our chances to get in are pretty good, too. I was talking to her about it tonight and mentioned that when we went to visit, a lot of parents brought their kids (we didn't) and we noticed that all these kids had brought books and were sitting and reading. DD's eyes got big. "Other kids who can really read?? Other kids who like to read???" (Yes! They looked like they loved to read.) "Other kids who love books??" (Yes!) "If I went to this school, would the other kids read fast, too? I wouldn't always have to wait while (Other Kid in Reading Group) tries to sound out the words?" (Yes!) She actually started jumping up and down in excitement. It almost makes me cry to think about it. She has never mentioned having to wait for the other kids before, but duh, of course she does. I remember this very vividly from my own childhood.

[TEAK's Mom]

I remember that feeling so well, too. I hope it makes a really positive impression on her.
 

Originally Posted by loraxc 

DD is visiting the gifted magnet soon. We have been to see the program and were pretty darn impressed. It looks like our chances to get in are pretty good, too. I was talking to her about it tonight and mentioned that when we went to visit, a lot of parents brought their kids (we didn't) and we noticed that all these kids has brought books and were sitting and reading. DD's eyes got big. "Other kids who can really read?? Other kids who like to read???" (Yes! They looked liked they loved to read.) "Other kids who love books??" (Yes!) "If I went to this school, would the other kids read fast, too? I wouldn't always have to wait while (Other Kid in Reading Group) tries to sound out the words?" (Yes!) She actually started jumping up and down in excitement. It almost makes me cry to think about it. She has never mentioned having to wait for the other kids before, but duh, of course she does. I remember this very vividly from my own childhood.

[Tigerle]

Mabe you won't have issues with her wanting to stay in her current school at all...

Originally Posted by loraxc 

DD is visiting the gifted magnet soon. We have been to see the program and were pretty darn impressed. It looks like our chances to get in are pretty good, too. I was talking to her about it tonight and mentioned that when we went to visit, a lot of parents brought their kids (we didn't) and we noticed that all these kids has brought books and were sitting and reading. DD's eyes got big. "Other kids who can really read?? Other kids who like to read???" (Yes! They looked liked they loved to read.) "Other kids who love books??" (Yes!) "If I went to this school, would the other kids read fast, too? I wouldn't always have to wait while (Other Kid in Reading Group) tries to sound out the words?" (Yes!) She actually started jumping up and down in excitement. It almost makes me cry to think about it. She has never mentioned having to wait for the other kids before, but duh, of course she does. I remember this very vividly from my own childhood.

[expecting-joy]

Thank you joensally.

[St. Margaret]

LOL last night DD heard me talking about my awesome 6th grade teacher who could still, decades later, sing the alphabet backwards totally fast, because they used to haze the younger sorority sisters by challenging them to do that kind of thing on the spot, and she survived it by just getting really good at it.  DH suddenly is giving me the eye and I realize DD apparently decided to try it out and started doing it, too-- she went from z to a perfectly.  I can barely remember the alphabet unless I'm singing it through, let alone backwards.  I do not know how her mind works sometimes.

[LynnS6]

Dd (6), in particular, has made huge leaps recently.

She's now able to read any book she chooses, which is fun to see. She's FINALLY interested in the Little House books, which I'm thrilled by because I loved them as a child. She tried to build a log cabin out of our small set of Lincoln Logs. She later decided just to imagine the cabin (OK, so I don't have a budding architect!). She was somewhat disappointed that we didn't have an old fashioned Playmobil stove.

Her piano playing has really taken off. She's "gotten" the idea of chords and chord progressions, and she's learning to transpose. It's pretty easy stuff that she's playing still, but it's clear she understands the overall pattern. She can play Ode to Joy in 4 different keys - C, F, G and D minor. (You haven't lived until you've heard Ode to Joy in D minor -- Dh calls it "Ode to Depression"). I think I could cheerfully go about 40 years without hearing those 16 measures of Ode to Joy ever again, but it's fun to see her working with it. They taught her two of the keys (C and something else) in piano, and she figured the other two out on her own.

She's writing a mystery story. My favorite line so far is: "As she wrote, Grandma Frost thought about fifteen years ago in winter when she began her writing career."  Not bad for 6! Alas, she's still setting the scene and so nothing has happened in the first chapter, except that all of the characters have arrived at Grandma's house. Since she writes only intermittently, she may be 8 before she's done. 

[Tigerle]

Lynn, what fun! keep us posted so we know when she's published.

[loraxc]

Since DD is getting so little math at her level in school, I decided to institute 5 minutes' daily "homework" with her Flashmaster toy (www.flashmaster.com). I wasn't sure about this at first, but she is actually really into this little routine and is challenging herself to move ahead all the time. I also think it's a good way to get her basics down pat so that there is no way to argue "But she doesn't know her facts" at the school level (and there isn't--after about 2 weeks of this she has addition and subtraction to 20 down cold).

She's known how to divide by 2 for ages, but I'd never gone further. I sat down with her and explained the 3 table one time and then the 4 table one time (she did most of it herself, actually) and now she can do them herself via deduction and memory. You know, I thought the school was kind of overdoing this whole skip counting thing a bit, but what a great foundation--she intuitively understands how to figure things out because of that, I think. Anyway, it's totally cool to see her figure it out. "Well, I know 40 divided by 4 is 10, so that means 36 divided by 4 is 9, and then 32 divided by 4 must be...8! It's 8."

[joensally]

Great updates!

[loraxc]

DD has now toured the gifted magnet. Although she is sad about some aspects of possibly leaving her current school, she seems to be quite positive about making a switch. She likes the idea of riding a bus, and she also likes their playground----however, she seems most excited by the idea of being able to work quickly and learn more things. She hasn't complained much in 1st (vs. K, when she complained a fair bit), so I was thinking she was relatively content, btu she certainly latched onto the idea of school being faster and more engaging with great enthusiasm. I feel pretty positive. Now we just have to get in--but it sounds like we have a very good shot, based on some things the principal said.

We have her IQ test results in hand, finally. She tested solidly MG, maybe at the low end of HG. However, she took a short test (RIAS) and her scores are a bit odd--very high on 3/4 subtests, then dead average on the last one. I suspect the scores are a mild underestimation but not a major one. Meanwhile, she is super excited about learning to divide. It's really making her light up. I had to take her Flashmaster away this morning so she would eat her oatmeal.

[loraxc]

Uh, she just taught herself cursive. I gave her a few worksheets at her request, and by the time I got back from putting her brother down for his nap, she had produced some very credible cursive Valentines.

Also, this week we learned that when you are writing and illustrating your own field guide, you should wait till you are completely finished before you paginate, bind, and create the index.