gifted children

Anyone have their kid or know someone who sends their child to Nysmith in Reston?

We have been told our 3 year old exhibits the signs of a gifted child. Yes, I want my kid to be a kid, and learn through play etc.. but was wondering what options are there in this area.

 

I think it really depends how gifted your child is. My daughter is considered gifted as well. But, she goes to public school and does the GT programs. But, I really don't have an answer to your question! Good luck!

 

Just curious, but what makes a kid "gifted" at 3yo? I'm not being sarcastic (tone it hard to interpret in the forum). Do you have a specialist do some sort of test on the kid or does the kid just pick up a pencil and start calculating Pi to the furthest extent. 3.1415927....

 

LOL! My daughter was considered (or at least they suspected it) at around 9 months! I think at the early ages it's really that they are so advanced in their learning. For example, my one daughter was talking in fully understandable sentences before 18 months. You could actually hold a conversation with her...of course it wasn't about politics or algebra but about dolls and shapes...you get the idea.

 

You could have your child tested but it's expensive and not reliable before age 6 really. There are also different levels of gifted. There is slightly gifted - gifted and exceptionally gifted.

The only risk and reason it was brought to our attention was that gifted children get bored easily if not challenged and you can run into behavior problems down the road. If a child is Einstein level gifted, they run the risk of being socially & physically (as in sports) inept.

There is also the school of thought that alot of kids kindof catch up to each other around age 5 so those that are sailing by right now - when the reach 5 will be at around the same level as those that were slower earlier.

You can get really caught up in this stuff.

 

I can certainly vouch for the fact that gifted children get bored easily and run into behavior issues! But, there is so much you can do at home to alleviate this. You just need to learn how to work with it. My gifted child is now 10 and still gets bored easily if her mind isn't constantly on the go! Learning to crochet and create things has helped tremendously! Good luck!

 

Nysmith will consider your child gifted and accept him/her if you can afford the tuition!!!
Yowsa, the place is expensive!

 

Just out of curiousity, how much is it?

 

Google Nysmith - the first hit has links for tuition. Outrageous.

 

Wow! And I thought I was paying alot for BeanTree.

 

Actually they are less than BeanTree! BT = $20,000/year for infant-young todler. Looks like the gifted kids get a discounted education compared to BT

 

Whoooaaaaa! Definitely see the need to keep energetic, creative minds engaged...just can never imagine paying even half that much for a young child...especially in this area where we have such great access to museums, historical landmarks, experiential learning, etc.
Good luck to you!

 

This may explain why the announcement board in front of the school is always recruiting new students. Or maybe its more reflective on the ROI.