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Home › Articles › Gifted Children › Gifted, But Different

Gifted, But Different

How to Parent a Gifted Child

By Anne Leverette-Sanderlin

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At What Age Should They Be Tested?
Culyer and other educators agree that the age of 4 is the best time to test a child. "When testing a preschooler, the Weschler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) is given," says Culyer. "It gives us a base to start with. Parents need to remember that children develop at their own rate. Gifted children experience peaks in learning. Once again the presence of talking early may signal giftedness, but the absence doesn't mean that it isn't there either. It is the parent's decision to have the child tested before they start preschool. If the child is gifted, I advise them to be sure that the child doesn't become lazy and should remain challenged."

Most of all, a parent needs to be aware of the vast gap that gifted children like Hubbard's son experienced. "At the age of 4 he could tell you all about the root system of a tree and become frustrated because he had trouble learning to tie his shoes," says Hubbard.

Leanne Register, an Atlanta, Ga., housewife with a master's degree in literature, found herself hiding her beloved romance books from her 6-year-old daughter who read at a high school level. "Jody would want me to explain sexual things that she just didn't need to know about at 6," says Register. "You just don't expect a 6-year-old to use such terms. I found it difficult to change the subject and remind myself this was the same child that had gotten in trouble in class for passing a note and talking to another child."

Culyer advises parents to be aware of the unique development patterns present in gifted children because it can help them and their child to adjust expectations of academic knowledge and maturity levels. Until a parent can get their child into a program or school there are some things that they can do together, including:

  • Compare and contrast things such as two people or animals.
  • Have your child group things differently and tell you what is different and similar.
  • While watching television or reading a book ask your child to tell you what may happen.
  • Ask your child about what could happen in certain situations.
  • Create your own story.
  • Use cooking to teach measurement.
  • Let the child set up a store with real coins to introduce money and math.


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