Getting a child "tested"?

[Miny20]

My 3.5 year old goes to the preschool at the community college 4 mornings a week. My husband and I are taking Spanish to help her to learn. The choice to take classes here was a combination of her going to preschool and my getting the Spanish courses I wanted to take. I wanted her to interact with other children. She adores her school. She's really started to interact with the other children. The teachers loves her. It's turned out to be quite the pleasant experience for everyone--after my class in the morning I have a couple of hours for studying or having time to myself.

Well, here's my question for you parents. I'm a trained teacher. I've always followed my daughter's cues and interests. When she was interested in and excited about learning her letters, I gave her as much information as she seemed to want. At 3.5 her reading and comprehension levels are higher than many of the 2nd and 3rd graders I worked with in college.

Sometimes I think that I'm exagerating (sp?) this. But last week we hired a reading teacher to babysit her while we went out (which is never!). Over the course of the 5 hours she was with this teacher, she amazed her with her reading skills, her comprehension levels, her deep thinking, and desire to understand everything around her. This helped me to really believe that I wasn't overestimating my child's intellectual development.

About a month ago, the teacher at her preschool told me that I should really get her 'tested'. Now, I'm not really sure what 'testing' entails. But, I worry that if I don't act upon her need to learn, then I"ll be letting her down. I'll be the first to admit that I am not the brightest person on earth. I studied teaching because it seemed easier than math and science. I'm okay with teaching reading and writing--but when it comes to things like history, math, science, etc.. I'll be a complete failure! I'm seriously scared to even try teaching her how to write numbers because then I'll have to start passing on number concepts.

My husband has an extremely high IQ and learned to read at about the same age. I worry that if I don't seek out people, schools, or other resources to help give her the best start that I'll be letting her down. My mother in law (who is now a teacher) says she completely regrets not seeking out special classes and schools for my husband as he was so bored in school that he barely managed to sit still and barely graduated high school!

Do any of you mommies have any advice for me?

[canteloupe]

There are a series of tests for preschool aged children. It is basically an IQ test. It is the Weschler Preschool Intelligence test.

My daughter just had this done last week and she had a great time. She got an IQ score of 132 allowing her to start Kindy in August even though she misses the cut off by 13 days.

I hope that helps.

[canteloupe]

Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence is the exact name of the exam.

[TiredX2]

Originally Posted by canteloupe

Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence is the exact name of the exam.

Which answers my question from the other thread! :LOL

[flyingspaghettimama]

We also did the Weschler (WPPSI) at age four, in order to apply to a school that required them. I wouldn't do it again. It told us what we already knew, and just introduced a lot of labels into the mix, and after I did more reading, I do feel that the test is so subjective as to be inherently biased and less than informative, particularly at so young an age. To break it down, the Weschler tests your child on two factors - their verbal ability, their performance ability (to perform puzzles, nonverbal tasks), and then the combination of both are supposedly their intelligence level. I have strong feelings about IQ testing, but I'll leave it at that.

To be honest, I would not worry too much about her skills or abilities at this age. Sure, High School is a totally different matter, but in preschool and elementary, so much is about finding a place socially and honing the creative mind. I would follow her lead, and her interests - whatever she's "into," go with that. Horses? Get books about horses, sign up for horse camp, etc. Bugs? Go on a bug hunt. Unicorn books and daydreams. I wouldn't worry about academic vs. nonacademic interests - just follow her lead, while also introducing new things via children's museums, planetariums, hikes, art museums, whatever you're into.

I think if she's happy in her preschool, then don't worry. Creativity and social skills are just as important as academics. There's more hyperworried mamas stressing over academics and "the right school" than ever before, and I understand (I used to do so, as well). We don't have to play that game that society wants us to play, with the requisite anxiety and competition. I would look for a school that values the whole child's experience and doesn't push academics (which would probably end up with her being bored, because she knows most of it going in).

Have you ever read "Einstein Didn't Use Flash Cards?" You might read it, it will reassure you immensely. Also, many of the books stickied at the top of this post concern alternative views towards learning and education.

For more on the history and bias in IQ testing, read Stephen Jay Gould's "The Mismeasure of Man."

[LizD]

geniusdenied.com is a good resource if you think your child might be gifted. However, it does point out that testing for children this age is often inaccurate.

Your child is thriving, obviously, on what you're giving her. Make sure she has plenty of time for imagination, digging in the dirt, and running around, playing with other children. That's the real task of children that age, regardless of academic ability. There is more than plenty of time to hone her talents.

[honeybee]

I agree with the other pps, however, I would just add that you don't neglect her math education. You don't want to give her the impression that math is "hard" or something to be avoided. You don't have to do anything special, but you shouldn't be avoiding numbers, either. Your attitude will influence her more than anything else. Don't denigrate your own skills in front of her. And, try to notice all the ways you competently use math in your own life. Do you buy or sell things? Cook? Notice decorative patterns? Enjoy music and rhythm? Schedule your week or month? Solve a problem? I'm sure you know more math than you realize. The problem is more likely the way you were taught math rather than a lack of ability.

If you want some ideas of things you can do with your dd, here are some ideas. Just point out things as you go through daily life. Count things as you go about your normal routine. Encourage her to use puzzles, building blocks, and sorting toys (even if these aren't your faves.) Buy a set of patteron blocks and let her play with them. Name the basic shapes when you see them (circle, square, triangle, rectangle). Let her help measure and pour while cooking. Ask her to compare things: which has more, which is bigger or longer, etc. A lot of this happens naturally, anyway, as kids notice what they have compared to everyone else!

[mom2ponygirl]

It is quite possible your child is very highly gifted. If so, it would be good to know in order to help find the best situations for her, since regular grade placement may not be a good fit. I would wait to test until she was in the 5-7 range however, since test scores seem to remain more stable at that point. Check out www.hoagiesgifted.org and www.ditd.org and start reading!

To ease your math anxiety - check out Kitchen Table Math for ages 2-8. It discusses how to 'play' with math and pass on concepts that will be helpful later for higher math. Get it at www.artofproblemsolving.com, click on bookstore and you'll find it.

If you do test and she does test very high (>99.9%) be sure you check out the www.ditd.org link I gave above. The young scholar program is free and will provide you with lots of support.

Good luck, and don't worry about keeping up with her. You'll just facilitate and seek opportunities, she'll run with them all on her own!