3 year old gifted or great memory?

[Anonymous]

My friend's 3 year old son is incredible. He knows almost all of the organs, can name every capital/state and their location, knows most of Jupiter's planets, etc. Just so much. It's from watching Youtube videos mostly, some toys/books. Unfortunately they live in a rural area and won't have access to many programs in school or specialists. Is this truly a gift that will stay with him through his school years or does he have a great memory? Anyone BTDT?

Posting in here since I'm asking about 3->adulthood and not just at 3 years old. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Not sure. My kid is having issues remembering the letters and he is about to turn 4.

[Anonymous]

Eh, they have access to the internet, and probably can get to a library if they make that a priority.

[Anonymous]

A great memory is often part of being gifted. However, the true signs go well beyond memorizing information (which many hothoused kids can do, but never apply). A great site for information (in spite of its bad web design) is Hoagies: https://www.hoagiesgifted.org

[Anonymous]

My friend's son had a similar ability. He turned out to have pretty serious Aspberger's.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A great memory is often part of being gifted. However, the true signs go well beyond memorizing information (which many hothoused kids can do, but never apply). A great site for information (in spite of its bad web design) is Hoagies: https://www.hoagiesgifted.org

+1

Yes, he might be gifted. My spider senses are tingling But this is correct, memory is just one part. Hoagies is a good resource, so I do recommend checking that out too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A great memory is often part of being gifted. However, the true signs go well beyond memorizing information (which many hothoused kids can do, but never apply). A great site for information (in spite of its bad web design) is Hoagies: https://www.hoagiesgifted.org

+1

Yes, he might be gifted. My spider senses are tingling But this is correct, memory is just one part. Hoagies is a good resource, so I do recommend checking that out too.

Spidey

[Anonymous]

My profoundly gifted nephew was doing that and more at that age. He started speaking before he was 1 year old and reading at 2. He lives in the deep south. He's been studied, tested, tutored, supported, etc at a local university since he was 2. He's 14 now and, besides his giftedness, is a typical teenager. He is homeschooled now, because he finished all the upper grade classes in his k-12 by seventh grade. His parents don't make a big deal out of it because, like everyone else, he has to grow up, start a career and make a life of his own.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend's son had a similar ability. He turned out to have pretty serious Aspberger's.

+1 my son is on the spectrum. Name every state with capitols. Reading at a 5th grade level when he was 6 years old. Gifted yes, socially he is limited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My profoundly gifted nephew was doing that and more at that age. He started speaking before he was 1 year old and reading at 2. He lives in the deep south. He's been studied, tested, tutored, supported, etc at a local university since he was 2. He's 14 now and, besides his giftedness, is a typical teenager. He is homeschooled now, because he finished all the upper grade classes in his k-12 by seventh grade. His parents don't make a big deal out of it because, like everyone else, he has to grow up, start a career and make a life of his own.

Profoundly gifted kids are amazing! Most gifted kids, however, are not profoundly gifted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure. My kid is having issues remembering the letters and he is about to turn 4.

Same. My kid is like a sponge: remembers every word she ever hears and strings together long, verbose, complicated sentences; however, she has no interest in sitting down and learning letters. She'll memorize a book I read to her in about 3 sittings, and she's got a bunch of Spanish songs that her nanny sings memorized, but doing basic preschool stuff like letters and counting is hopeless right now.

[Anonymous]

My son was similar, but with music/songs (real music, not kids music) as well as streets/directions. But once he turned 4 it was like his memory was WIPED and we have started over. The brain is crazy.

I should note, I do think he's gifted, he basically taught himself how to read, can do (simple) multiplication in his head, etc., but the memory dump was wild! He's also seriously socially limited--he's a genius if you get him talking to adults, but if he's around other 4 year olds he is a crazy 4 year old golden retriever-type kid.

[Anonymous]

The child is good at memorizing. That's all, OP. Calm down.

[Anonymous]

Sounds very bright certainly and most likely gifted.

[Anonymous]

My oldest sister was like this and she has Aspergers.