Search Database

Life Span Development: Early Childhood

• Assessment of Gifted Children: Identification

  A Place to Start: Is My Child Gifted?

  This article summarizes a variety of views on why and when to seek an assessment, as well as the utility of different types of tests. Questions for parents to consider in the process of making such decisions are listed. Links to additional articles on assessment and its implications for educational advocacy and planning are also included. In addition, links to information on the most recent versions of the popular individually administered tests are provided.

• Developmental: Early Childhood

  Achievement of precocious readers in middle childhood and young adulthood

  This book chapter excerpted from Talent Development III. Authors Nancy Jackson and Julie Kearney look at the case histories of two precocious readers. The chapter reports on achievement scores for 64 others and relates them to a model of development that indicates that a) precocious reading predicts positive performance in later years, b) continuity may be heterotypic, and c) similar achievements may come from highly intelligent children who are not precocious readers.

  Creative talent: Recognizing and nurturing it

  This article discusses how parents can recognize creative talents exhibited by their children and provide them opportunities that encourage the expression of their child’s creative talents.

  Frequently Asked Questions About Extreme Intelligence in Very Young Children

  This article by Kathi Kearney offers answers to common questions about early signs of extreme intelligence. She offers answers about developmental needs, testing and assessment, challenges in raising a profoundly gifted young child, educational needs, play and preschool. Also included is a list of resources.

  Genetics and intelligence

  This article by Robert Plomin discusses the importance of genetics and intelligence in the development of talent. Plomin states that, "Most of what is currently known about the genetics of intelligence comes from twin and adoption studies, which have documented significant and substantial genetic influence." Genetic analyses have shown that across the life span genetic effects increase and "genetic factors are primarily responsible for stability during development but also affect age-to-age changes." Additional and focused research is needed to reveal the "magnitude of genetic effects." This article presents past and present research findings detailing the influence of genetic factors on talent development.

  Parenting gifted preschoolers

  This article by David Farmer discusses strategies for identifying and parenting highly gifted preschoolers. It contains an excellent chart estimating the normal development timetable for developmental milestones in toddler and preschool development. This is contrasted with the timetable for a child who is developmentally advanced.

  Pursuing Qualitative Differences in the Flexible Use of Problem-Solving Strategy by Young Children

  This article by Lannie Kanevsky discusses a study that was done on gifted and average intelligence children in two different age groups. The groups were given games to play to see the differences in problem-solving ability and strategy between the groups. Results indicate differences in the application of previously learned strategies.

  Small poppies: Highly gifted children in the early years

  This article by Miraca Gross is a classic on the development and needs of profoundly gifted children in infancy, toddlerhood and the preschool years. It discusses some of the hallmarks of extreme precocity in the very young. Other topics include identification and accommodation of these children.

  The childhood of a computer pioneer -- Jay Forrester

  This article by Peter Eckstein is part of a larger study by the author of technological pioneers and their childhoods. He looks at the experience of Jay Forrester growing up on a ranch in rural Nebraska. Forrester's tinkering there ultimately led him to lead the MIT team that developed Whirlwind and to invent the first commercially viable RAM.

  The highly gifted baby

  This article by Kathi Kearney points out the need to recognize the gifted early in life. It also discusses the lack of research and makes a strong case for more study of highly gifted infants. It offers a handful of references on high intelligence in the very young.

  The Pivotal Role of Parents in Expanding the World of Young Gifted Children

  This article by Joan F. Smutny, Ph.D. provides suggestions on how parents can help young gifted students learn and grow through a variety of options in their local communities.

• Educational Options: Acceleration

  Selection of Candidates for Early Admission to Kindergarten and First Grade

  This article by Nancy Robinson and Linda Weimer explains that children learn best when challenged appropriately at a level they are ready for. It suggests strategies for parents to use when advocating for early school entrance through all the different view points of teachers, administrators and professionals. Also included is a catalog of preferred tests and assessments for various domains.

• Educational Options: Educational Planning

  Preview Patsy Kumekawa's New Book With Unreleased Chapter "Lessons"

  Patsy Kumekawa shares a chapter from her upcoming book. In this excerpt, she recalls examples from her parenting experience and how following her son's lead was central to making decisions around talent development.

• Parenting: Tips for Parents

  Tips for Parents: Development of "out of the box" thinking in young children

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Julia Brodsky, founder of “Art of Inquiry” math circle and former ISS astronaut crews’ instructor and private school teacher. She shares her experiences and observations on teaching problem-solving skills and “aha” problems to young students.

  Tips for Parents: Executive Functioning at Home and School

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Aimee Yermish. Gifted students kids often develop asynchronously; some aspects of development seem to lag behind others. Yermish discusses the frustrations of these struggles.

  Tips for Parents: Raising Children Who Are as Good as They Are Smart

  This Tips for Parents article is from a seminar hosted by Marybeth Hicks. She provides insight on how to raise a principled child and tips for moral development.