assessing a child's skills

-L. · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 157

Hi guys,

Do any of you know when are kids assessed for "giftedness"? J is
extremely normal in most aspects of his development, but his art
skills (drawings) are exceptional for his age. We want to be able to
meet his needs in this area as well as we can - and I'm not sure how
to go about doing it, other than to provide him with opportunities to
explore art. I guess what I am really wanting to know is-- When
should a parent look for professional guidance in meeting a child's
needs? He just turned 4 and if there's a window of opportunity for
providing him some sort of support or guidance, I want to make sure we
don't miss it. I'm not even sure if he needs anything special - I'm
not really sure what to do with him, and that's the problem!

Does any of this make sense? :p TIA for any input.

(Happy Birthday to Mary and R, by the way!)

-Lyn

Archived from group: alt>infertility>parenting

Jamie Clark · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 5208

I'm not sure that there is anything that you need to do at this point,
except perhaps continue to expose him to various things, and encourage him
to express his artistic nature. Take him to museums, take him on hikes and
out in nature, take him to the farmers market and talk about colors, shapes,
sights, sounds, etc. (I'm sure you already do this). Let him explore his
artistic side in crayon, in charcoal, in pastels, in watercolors, in
tempura, in glue and glitter and pens and pencils. Give him assignments to
draw specific things, but most of all, just keep encouraging him and let it
be fun. Give him a blank journal and encourage him to carry it with him and
draw everything and anything he wants. When it's full, give him another.
Drawing is something that mostly is improved by doing, and there isn't much
you can teach. There is some, of course, but what can be taught doesn't
need to be taught at this point. At this point, all he needs to do, is do.

It's so cool when you see some really neat skill or tendancy that your child
has!
--

Jamie Clark

"-L." wrote in message @m34g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> Do any of you know when are kids assessed for "giftedness"? J is
> extremely normal in most aspects of his development, but his art
> skills (drawings) are exceptional for his age. We want to be able to
> meet his needs in this area as well as we can - and I'm not sure how
> to go about doing it, other than to provide him with opportunities to
> explore art. I guess what I am really wanting to know is-- When
> should a parent look for professional guidance in meeting a child's
> needs? He just turned 4 and if there's a window of opportunity for
> providing him some sort of support or guidance, I want to make sure we
> don't miss it. I'm not even sure if he needs anything special - I'm
> not really sure what to do with him, and that's the problem!
>
> Does any of this make sense? :p TIA for any input.
>
> (Happy Birthday to Mary and R, by the way!)
>
> -Lyn

Me Myself and I · Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

Holy sheet you must be psychic Lyn!!! I was just thinking about you last
night and here you are when I log on this morning LOL. I have absolutely no
answers for you just wanted to say Hi!

--
Pip, in NZ

My girls :
DD1 Jasmine - 5 weeks early - March 02 - 4lb 12oz
Still as small as a peanut but as smart as a whip!

DD2 Abby - 8 weeks early - Feb 05 - 3lb 14oz
Two and a half and still a terror!!

"Yes you can drive me insane just by talking to me!"

"-L." wrote in message @m34g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> Do any of you know when are kids assessed for "giftedness"? J is
> extremely normal in most aspects of his development, but his art
> skills (drawings) are exceptional for his age. We want to be able to
> meet his needs in this area as well as we can - and I'm not sure how
> to go about doing it, other than to provide him with opportunities to
> explore art. I guess what I am really wanting to know is-- When
> should a parent look for professional guidance in meeting a child's
> needs? He just turned 4 and if there's a window of opportunity for
> providing him some sort of support or guidance, I want to make sure we
> don't miss it. I'm not even sure if he needs anything special - I'm
> not really sure what to do with him, and that's the problem!
>
> Does any of this make sense? :p TIA for any input.
>
> (Happy Birthday to Mary and R, by the way!)
>
> -Lyn

KC · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 64

Caitlin & Bess are extremely artistic too.

What we do is just have an art environment around. I buy them tons of
paper. We get them all purpose paper (like for copying, printing and
faxing.) We keep lots of other art and craft supplies around too. It is
pretty messy having all the art stuff around all the time, but worth it.
They pretty much do some kind of art every day.

I have resisted trying to get Caitlin classified as gifted for anything
because she has social issues and even though school is not super helpful
for enriching her academically or artistically it gives her the most
practice at what she needs to practice which is social skills. I just
enrich her at home with the art supplies, educational computer games and
lots of books.

Caitlin really has a love for the art, and I think Bess is more like me has
skill for it, but has an even bigger enjoyment of other things.

KC

"-L." wrote in message @m34g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> Do any of you know when are kids assessed for "giftedness"? J is his
> development, but his art
> skills (drawings) are exceptional for his age. We want to be able to
> meet his needs in this area as well as we can - and I'm not sure how
> to go about doing it, other than to provide him with opportunities to
> explore art. I guess what I am really wanting to know is-- When
> should a parent look for professional guidance in meeting a child's
> needs? He just turned 4 and if there's a window of opportunity for
> providing him some sort of support or guidance, I want to make sure we
> don't miss it. I'm not even sure if he needs anything special - I'm
> not really sure what to do with him, and that's the problem!
>
> Does any of this make sense? :p TIA for any input.
>
> (Happy Birthday to Mary and R, by the way!)
>
> -Lyn

Jewelbar · Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Posts: 137

Let him experience as many different mediums as possible.
He may want to focus on one aspect for a while. Take him to galleries and
installations so he can choose what he likes the best.
There is so much you can do. I like Jamies idea of having a journal he can
carry around for whenever he feels "inspired".
Perhaps the main thing is not to curtail him with his art... I'm sure you
wont do that.
Perhaps some lessons in whatever his chosen area is. But no pressure.
What a lucky devil. DD loves music, and I hope she loves to draw when she's
older too.
:0)
Jade.

"-L." wrote in message @m34g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> Do any of you know when are kids assessed for "giftedness"? J is
> extremely normal in most aspects of his development, but his art
> skills (drawings) are exceptional for his age. We want to be able to
> meet his needs in this area as well as we can - and I'm not sure how
> to go about doing it, other than to provide him with opportunities to
> explore art. I guess what I am really wanting to know is-- When
> should a parent look for professional guidance in meeting a child's
> needs? He just turned 4 and if there's a window of opportunity for
> providing him some sort of support or guidance, I want to make sure we
> don't miss it. I'm not even sure if he needs anything special - I'm
> not really sure what to do with him, and that's the problem!
>
> Does any of this make sense? :p TIA for any input.
>
> (Happy Birthday to Mary and R, by the way!)
>
> -Lyn

MareCat · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 693

"-L." wrote in message @m34g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi guys,
>
> Do any of you know when are kids assessed for "giftedness"? J is
> extremely normal in most aspects of his development, but his art
> skills (drawings) are exceptional for his age. We want to be able to
> meet his needs in this area as well as we can - and I'm not sure how
> to go about doing it, other than to provide him with opportunities to
> explore art. I guess what I am really wanting to know is-- When
> should a parent look for professional guidance in meeting a child's
> needs? He just turned 4 and if there's a window of opportunity for
> providing him some sort of support or guidance, I want to make sure we
> don't miss it. I'm not even sure if he needs anything special - I'm
> not really sure what to do with him, and that's the problem!

Hi Lyn!! Good to see you back here! I was asking about you not too long ago.
Smile

I think the best thing you can do for J right now is to just keep providing
opportunities to develop his artistic side. That will help foster his
creativity, IMO.

Rayna's preschool teacher last year suggested that we get her tested (for
G&T) this spring. Since she doesn't start Kindergarten til the fall, we're
holding off on doing any testing until then.

> (Happy Birthday to Mary and R, by the way!)

Thank you so much!! (And a belated Happy Birthday to J! He cannot be four
already!!) Smile

She had a great birthday weekend. We had her party for her classmates (about
20 kids) at Jump Zone yesterday. It was absolutely insane there, but she and
her friends had a blast (and the twins LOVED running around and climbing all
over the inflatable they have for kiddos 3 and under).

Her school was closed last Thursday because of the bad weather--the day she
was slated to bring in a special birthday snack for her class. She was
bummed about that, but playing in the snow helped her get over it. Wink

So hard for me to believe she's five. I don't remember giving her permission
to grow up. Wink

Mary

Go Giants! Smile

-L. · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 157

On Jan 20, 12:55 pm, "Me Myself and I" email_removed wrote:
> Holy sheet you must be psychic Lyn!!! I was just thinking about you last
> night and here you are when I log on this morning LOL. I have absolutely no
> answers for you just wanted to say Hi!
>
> --
> Pip, in NZ
>
> My girls :
> DD1 Jasmine - 5 weeks early - March 02 - 4lb 12oz
> Still as small as a peanut but as smart as a whip!
>
> DD2 Abby - 8 weeks early - Feb 05 - 3lb 14oz
> Two and a half and still a terror!!
>
> "Yes you can drive me insane just by talking to me!"

Hey Pip!!
Nice to see you - how are the girls?

J is in a co-op preschool and we love it. I have made some really
great friends with a couple of the Moms in his class. We may be
moving again, and I don't even want to think about it! Blech!
Other than that, we are doing great! Smile

DH and J want another baby -
I *so* don't. So far I am winning the battle, LOL.... Wink

-L.

-L. · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 157

On Jan 20, 8:55 pm, "MareCat" wrote:
> "-L." wrote in message
>
> @m34g2000hsb.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Hi guys,
>
> > Do any of you know when are kids assessed for "giftedness"? J is
> > extremely normal in most aspects of his development, but his art
> > skills (drawings) are exceptional for his age. We want to be able to
> > meet his needs in this area as well as we can - and I'm not sure how
> > to go about doing it, other than to provide him with opportunities to
> > explore art. I guess what I am really wanting to know is-- When
> > should a parent look for professional guidance in meeting a child's
> > needs? He just turned 4 and if there's a window of opportunity for
> > providing him some sort of support or guidance, I want to make sure we
> > don't miss it. I'm not even sure if he needs anything special - I'm
> > not really sure what to do with him, and that's the problem!
>
> Hi Lyn!! Good to see you back here! I was asking about you not too long ago.
> Smile

>
> I think the best thing you can do for J right now is to just keep providing
> opportunities to develop his artistic side. That will help foster his
> creativity, IMO.
>
> Rayna's preschool teacher last year suggested that we get her tested (for
> G&T) this spring. Since she doesn't start Kindergarten til the fall, we're
> holding off on doing any testing until then.
>
> > (Happy Birthday to Mary and R, by the way!)
>
> Thank you so much!! (And a belated Happy Birthday to J! He cannot be four
> already!!) Smile

>
> She had a great birthday weekend. We had her party for her classmates (about
> 20 kids) at Jump Zone yesterday. It was absolutely insane there, but she and
> her friends had a blast (and the twins LOVED running around and climbing all
> over the inflatable they have for kiddos 3 and under).
>
> Her school was closed last Thursday because of the bad weather--the day she
> was slated to bring in a special birthday snack for her class. She was
> bummed about that, but playing in the snow helped her get over it. Wink

>
> So hard for me to believe she's five. I don't remember giving her permission
> to grow up. Wink

>
> Mary
>
> Go Giants! Smile

Thanks guys - for all the input. We bring a Magna Doodle with us
wherever we go and if we forget it, I hear about it, LOL...I just
didn't know if there is any way to expand beyond basic "exposure" at
this age - looks like maybe it's still a bit early.

Mary, we had J's party at a jumping place too - Pump it Up - 18 little
kids 4 & under - it was crazy! He had fun, though, which is what
counts Wink

Glad to hear you guys are doing so well. Smile

-L.

MareCat · Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 693

"-L." wrote in message @21g2000hsj.googlegroups.com...
>
> Mary, we had J's party at a jumping place too - Pump it Up - 18 little
> kids 4 & under - it was crazy! He had fun, though, which is what
> counts Wink

Glad to hear you guys are doing so well. Smile

Pump it Up was our first choice (Rayna had her 3rd birthday party at a PiU
where we lived near Houston), but both locations near us here were all
booked for parties this past weekend (when I called almost two months ago!).

Mary

Lesley · Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 2

On Jan 20, 6:27 am, "-L." wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> Do any of you know when are kids assessed for "giftedness"?

Hi Lyn! I hardly ever post here anymore, but wanted to chime in and
say that in our school system kids aren't tested for G&T until 2nd
grade. It's at this age most kids "catch up" to eachother. They will
assess kids for basic skills at 1st grade, tho, to help them get a
good start on learning.

Take care and nice to hear about J!

-Lesley
mommy to Kelsey...almost 7 !
and Erik...almost 5 !

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