| Do you feel like your child is a quick learner, maybe | | | | riding in the car. Grandpa began asking him what one |
| ahead of the curve in relation to her peers? Did she | | | | plus one equaled and then gradually made the |
| walk sooner, talk earlier, do a cartwheel at 2, or | | | | problems more difficult. It got to the point where at |
| recognize a picture of the President of the United | | | | three years old, he could add nine and eight in his head. |
| States at 3? What do you do? | | | | When he moved on to the four year old program in |
| First, recognize that every child is remarkable in some | | | | preschool, my husband and I pointed this skill out to his |
| way. There is something incredibly special in every little | | | | teachers and asked what they could do to enhance |
| girl and boy. Even when I've taught a student who has | | | | his math abilities. |
| pushed my buttons and disrupted the class, I have | | | | The teachers were very patient with us. They told us |
| found something wonderful inside that child. Teachers | | | | about the graphing and sequencing the class did to |
| and parents succeed when we are able to draw that | | | | help all of the children learn pre-math skills. Then, they |
| goodness out, and help the child further develop those | | | | suggested that while our son was surely gifted in math, |
| traits. | | | | at four years old, their job was to help him succeed in |
| If your child stands out because she is able to pass | | | | many areas. Academics were important, but so were |
| regular milestones ahead of her peers, regard this | | | | his speech skills, socialization, and other areas of |
| great fortune with caution. In many cases, parents | | | | development. They agreed that we should foster his |
| approach their teachers to point out this remarkable | | | | interest in math, but felt that he might be better served |
| ability and ask what the teachers can do to nurture it. | | | | working on that with us at home. |
| There is nothing wrong with this, in fact, I know this, | | | | Their advice was right on target. Once he got into |
| because I was that parent. It is with hindsight that I can | | | | elementary school, there were opportunities for him to |
| share a personal story about the importance of | | | | enhance his math skills. The enrichment teacher spent |
| perspective when you believe your child is truly gifted. | | | | time with him each week, which kept him excited |
| My youngest son had a very strong math mind at | | | | about the subject and allowed him to grow his skills. |
| three years old. We discovered this strength when he | | | | Now, in high school, he is still a strong math student, as |
| used to play math games with his grandfather while | | | | are many other kids in his class. |