Comments | x_cybergoth_x: the conundrum my son poses...

x_cybergoth_x

the conundrum my son poses...

Oct 16, 2013 09:00

I know I don't post here often, but I know some people who might read this are parents. And really its a parent's perspective I am after. I am sure you all know I think my boy is perfect. But it is obvious since he started preschool that he is very intelligent, but his intellectual development has overshadowed his personal and social skills. ( Read more... )

Comments 9

Personal experience (kind of) speaking... whitefirebird October 16 2013, 10:41:23 UTC

My parents have always treated me such that if I was old enough to ask a sensible question, I was old enough to get a sensible answer ( ... )

Re: Personal experience (kind of) speaking... x_cybergoth_x October 16 2013, 10:56:19 UTC

Thanks for the very thoughtful reply ( ... )

Re: Personal experience (kind of) speaking... whitefirebird October 16 2013, 11:41:21 UTC

You may also want to look at history for some answers - specifically historical games. Or other games that would give him a base for other subjects. Languages are ideal for this, but history is also very interesting when you start asking WHY this or that event happened. And games would be a starting point without being too cerebral, but also giving him new things to learn ( ... )

Re: Personal experience (kind of) speaking... x_cybergoth_x October 16 2013, 11:45:43 UTC

Your suggestions do make me smile, he helps me baking, he loves being in charge of the scales and watching the numbers. He likes telling me how many biscuits we've made, how many we still need to make etc. And the best bit ever is setting the oven timer. Bless him. He also sorts his laundry for me and selects the programme to put the machine on. Dance classes are definitely an idea, especially since he would have a dance partner at home to help him practice. Its been a little while, but I remember my ballroom and latin and salsa pretty well ;)

ani_mama October 16 2013, 15:07:29 UTC

First of all, congrats on a very bright child! Success in life will come easier for him than many others.

I think you are dong everything right so far. Encourage him in his interests as he gets older. Whitefirebird covered the basics quite well, although I personally think skipping grades is not a good idea if he is having problems socializing with his peers.

Library trips are always good. You might have plenty of books at home, but he can explore a wider range of subjects. Tablets nowadays, either Android or iPad, have many learning games. If you want to start him on a language, they have programs for that too.

Let your son do things at his own pace. I think above all, the most important thing is that he has a happy childhood, and a balanced life. Once he gets out of school, that "genius" tag is not going to be as noticeable, but you can always tell when somebody comes from a happy home.

x_cybergoth_x October 16 2013, 15:21:14 UTC

Skipping years is incredibly uncommon in the UK and not something I would be suggesting anyway. I think this first year we want to avoid the academic side of schooling and work on his social skills (as just discussed with his speech therapist two hours ago). as such I am currently on the search to find some extra curricular activity for him. I will be checking with the school in the morning if any of the existing ones would work for him, and am currently looking at football sessions for him too. I figure the team work aspect would be good for him and its exposure to children his age more of the time outside of school ( ... )

ani_mama October 16 2013, 15:40:30 UTC

I personally found the "children's" tablets on the market not very useful...he will outgrow them very quickly. My baby niece seems to be doing great with the iPad.

Are the kids in the UK as "plugged in" as they are in the US? It seems like everybody in Kidlet's class has either an iPad, Kindle, or Nook tablet, even though we are out in the middle of the boonies. It is not always a good thing, but used in moderation they are very good tools for learning.

I think he will like football. Does your community have arts and craft classes for little ones? He might like those too.

x_cybergoth_x October 16 2013, 15:48:42 UTC

I suspect he will get a year, maybe two out of it. the reason we weren't happy with a more 'adult' piece of kit is his tendency to throw in a fit of frustration. I cannot in all good conscience give him an expensive tablet until he learns to handle one safely. The apps on the one he's bought are aimed at up to 8 or 9 years old so we can give him programs at a level he is happy playing in any case ( ... )

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