how to prep a preschooler to get into a MoCo gifted program

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with several folks here. My approach to my GT kids at that age:

1. Play-based preschool
2. Lots of mom reading to child cuddly time (b/c that's what children liked)
3. Encourage them in their interests.
4. Love, kisses and more love.

Hmmm. That's about it. I haven't done any outside school supplementation that's not part of what we would do in normal family fun.

Really, it is up to the child. Even with play-based preschool, one child started reading on his own when he was 4. It's just who he is.

+1 I have a kid in HGC and while I can't be sure that the path we took was what brought DC to the HGC, I can tell you that we also picked a play-based preschool and dc blossomed. We also spent a LOT of time reading together but I never pushed dc to read on his own and was surprised to learn from his kindergarten teacher that he could already read quite well at the beginning of the school year- he just preferred not to! I think when they are 3 and 4, lots of play, affection and encouraging their natural interests is the best way to go- and of course read to them!

I third this. My HGC kid went to a Waldorf preschool and entering kindergarten, didn't even know her letters and numbers (in fact, she didn't distinguish between letters and numbers). She did NOTHING academic before K, nothing at all. And she didn't read until she was almost 7.

When she did learn to read, she was insatiable, ditto wrt numbers and math. She tested into the HGC, then a MS magnet, and is now in high school (also at a magnet) doing beautifully. We play no role whatsoever in her school/academic life - it is all hers.

Gifted is not something you can "prep" for - it just is. Give your child what she needs, developmentally, and the rest will fall into place.

[Anonymous]

The TPES magnet isn't a "gifted program." Pretty much every kid I know is in it. It's like a third of the elementary school or something.

[Anonymous]

I've heard from other parents that the Takoma Park program is really aimed at smart kids from that part of the county where some of the elementary schools may be weaker than in, say, the Bethesda/Potomac area. And that if you're at, say, at a school like Wood Acres or Burning Tree that it doesn't make a lot of sense try to get in to that program because the curriculum in your home school may be just as good or better. Does anyone know whether this is true?

[Anonymous]

Do what the previous posters suggest - read, explore the world with your child, etc. Don't have a plan or a program, it's not about that. Your child should be allowed to be a child. If they're gifted, you'll know it. Follow your child's lead and let them explore the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do what the previous posters suggest - read, explore the world with your child, etc. Don't have a plan or a program, it's not about that. Your child should be allowed to be a child. If they're gifted, you'll know it. Follow your child's lead and let them explore the world.

It really depends on the child, to just come out and suggest just saying, "whatever..." for every child is actually quite reckless. Some do it by themselves and our fine some if you don't give a needed nudge won't be what they can be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do what the previous posters suggest - read, explore the world with your child, etc. Don't have a plan or a program, it's not about that. Your child should be allowed to be a child. If they're gifted, you'll know it. Follow your child's lead and let them explore the world.

It really depends on the child, to just come out and suggest just saying, "whatever..." for every child is actually quite reckless. Some do it by themselves and our fine some if you don't give a needed nudge won't be what they can be.

Hoever, the HGC program is meant for the motivated students. You really do need to be self-motivated, and they are looking for kids whose needs aren't met by the home schools. These are unusual kids, that the program is meant for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do what the previous posters suggest - read, explore the world with your child, etc. Don't have a plan or a program, it's not about that. Your child should be allowed to be a child. If they're gifted, you'll know it. Follow your child's lead and let them explore the world.

It really depends on the child, to just come out and suggest just saying, "whatever..." for every child is actually quite reckless. Some do it by themselves and our fine some if you don't give a needed nudge won't be what they can be.

Hoever, the HGC program is meant for the motivated students. You really do need to be self-motivated, and they are looking for kids whose needs aren't met by the home schools. These are unusual kids, that the program is meant for.

Not the PP, but what do you think helps create motivated students? It helps if your child can start K feeling confident and prepared. A child going into K knowing how to read, and knowing some basic math skills will feel good about himself when he can keep up in class. This can follow him into first/second/third grade, and motivate him to want to do better.

However, a kid going into K not being able to keep up, or feeling lost, is going to feel more 'beaten down' and might have an affect on his self-confidence.

IMO, helping your kid go to K well-prepared is a parent's job. Why do you think they offer free Head Start programs for kids whose parents can't afford it? Because there have been studies that show how early childhood ed/K readiness can affect kids' school performance later on.

I applaud OP for trying to help her kids succeed and excel in school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First step would be have them be gifted. Then, apply to gifted program. Done.

+1

-1

Not Op but you have to put your child in position to succeed first. There's no way to know in preschool. Going the other way is harder and is many times a suggestion by those who want to eliminate potential competition.

Agree with this. Why in the world would you want to dissuade OP from helping her kid learn? Some of you DCUMs are crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First step would be have them be gifted. Then, apply to gifted program. Done.

+1

-1

Not Op but you have to put your child in position to succeed first. There's no way to know in preschool. Going the other way is harder and is many times a suggestion by those who want to eliminate potential competition.

Agree with this. Why in the world would you want to dissuade OP from helping her kid learn? Some of you DCUMs are crazy.

If your child wants to learn, feed the brain. Absolutely. But don't force it. Some kids are ready to learn at different times. And I think if your kid is gifted, you'll know. Follow the kid's lead, but also expose them to lots of different experiences. But you should do this for all kids, not just when you want them to get into the HGC. If it's good for them to go, the'll be accepted. But then, I guess this is the nature vs nurture argument...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do what the previous posters suggest - read, explore the world with your child, etc. Don't have a plan or a program, it's not about that. Your child should be allowed to be a child. If they're gifted, you'll know it. Follow your child's lead and let them explore the world.

It really depends on the child, to just come out and suggest just saying, "whatever..." for every child is actually quite reckless. Some do it by themselves and our fine some if you don't give a needed nudge won't be what they can be.

Hoever, the HGC program is meant for the motivated students. You really do need to be self-motivated, and they are looking for kids whose needs aren't met by the home schools. These are unusual kids, that the program is meant for.

No its not... There are many gifted kids who perform at high levels with very little effort.

"Criteria used to evaluate candidates include above-grade-level achievement; teacher, parent, and community recommendations; test scores, and report card grades."


Don't see motivation anywhere in there...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is almost 4, and I would like to supplement her preschool curriculum. I'm hoping to get her into a MoCo gifted program once she goes to K. Can anyone share what you do or have done? Can anyone share some information on how kids are selected for gifted programs? Thank you!

1) You don't hope. She's either gifted or she's not. if you have to push, she's probably not.
2) They don't really do "gifted" program for K and the younger grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Are there different tracks for ability in K? Thanks very much!

From where are you posting?

Pluto?

[Anonymous]

Birth a gifted child and then feed them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First step would be have them be gifted. Then, apply to gifted program. Done.

+1

-1

Not Op but you have to put your child in position to succeed first. There's no way to know in preschool. Going the other way is harder and is many times a suggestion by those who want to eliminate potential competition.

Agree with this. Why in the world would you want to dissuade OP from helping her kid learn? Some of you DCUMs are crazy.

+1

You should teach your kid, but also realize that she/he might not be gifted. I didn't realize that our kid was until my bro/sis had kids and I noticed how far behind they were in comparison.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First step would be have them be gifted. Then, apply to gifted program. Done.

+1

-1

Not Op but you have to put your child in position to succeed first. There's no way to know in preschool. Going the other way is harder and is many times a suggestion by those who want to eliminate potential competition.

Agree with this. Why in the world would you want to dissuade OP from helping her kid learn? Some of you DCUMs are crazy.

I was the second poster who sent their kid to a play-based preschool. Dc learned how to write his name and there was some exposure to numbers etc. but that was it. We spent a lot of time with dc - taking him to museums, lots of time in playgrounds, reading etc. So, by kindergarten I had a child who was curious, enjoyed looking at books and was happy to go to school, could follow instructions, play with other children etc. There are different approaches to getting a child ready to succeed in school. The OP was talking about prepping her preschooler to get into a HGC - I guess it depends on how you interpreted that statement. I was not criticizing this but pointing out that there are alternative ways of getting a child ready to do well academically.