Tests and Programs for Gifted Children.

Diana,

My thinking is to just wait until your child is in kindergarten. It's really hard to test IQ in the preschool years. He can be evalulated by a school psychologist at age 5--if you request. If your child is truly gifted, it won't just go away. I doubt that his potential will be "wasted". Just keep doing what you're doing. Give him lots of opportunities for stimulation (reading, trips to museums).

Also, think about what it is that you want to do with the information if he is "gifted". Would you want him in a special school? True giftedness is very rare and generally runs in families. Also, many truly gifted children have a great deal of difficulty understanding social cues and have problems making friends. Help in these areas is really important as it's a necessary life skill.

Good luck!

I agree with Regina - why push? There are so many things that you can do without "formal testing" that can excite his mind and expand his growth. If he is a real go-getter and you "can't keep up with his detailed questions", teach him how to research at the library or use the internet (careful guidance, of course). Not only will you be teaching him a valuable skill, you'll be satisfying his thirst for knowledge and opening the doors for him to explore new worlds. I can't think of much right now that getting testing for 'gifted' would do other than give your child a label.

It sounds like you've done an extraordinary job of peaking his curiosity of the world around him and have been providing him with a multitude of activities to help engage and stimulate him. Pretty much all you need to do is keep doing what you're doing and enjoy his growth!

You can also do a google search on Gardner's multiple intelligences, which could be really helpful in assisting you with ideas for how to continue to engage his mind in a variety of ways.

Best of luck to you!

I have a friend whose daughter displayed nearly the exact type of qualities. She did start kindergarten in public school, but was bored, did not feel challenged, and although she made good friends, she did not have a good experience overall. They now send their daughter to the Science and Arts Academy. Families come from all over and they are very happy with it. It's at least worth a phone call to see what they think...

http://www.scienceandartsacademy.org/

Chicago Public Schools provides testing free of charge as part of their candidate screening process. All you will learn is how well your child performs on their test, as compared to the rest of the children who take the test nationally. My advice is not to worry about testing. Just make sure the activities you provide and the school you choose keep your child challenged and happy. I personally think creative skills are as important as analytical ones. And since he cares about how things work, you may want to give him the opportunity to build things, make things -- whether that means sandcastles on the beach or a crate of legos or special classes after school.

Hi Diana,

Unfortunately, I do not know where you can take your son, but I too, have one who sounds a lot like yours and he is also 4 years old. If you find what you're looking for, can you please pass the info on to me? Thanks a lot!

J.