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!

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.

Won't that start to emerge in K and 1st and 2nd grade, which is all before the HGC testing?

We weren't in MCPS for those grades but the kids at our HS who were in the HGC are truly the exceptional students. Unlike VA where the gifted programs covers a larger group, the HGC is really just the top few percent. My DC is taking lots of APs, excellent GPA, high SATs, etc but would probably not have qualified for the HGC.

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.

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.

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

+1

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

Anonymous wrote:So you are one of those parents.........

poor kid

+100

How do you prep them?

Feed them, hug them, play with them, sing with them, take them to the play ground, read with them and try really hard not to stress them out. Repeat daily.

So you are one of those parents.........

poor kid

The special programs start in first grade with the Takoma School - http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/elementary/primary-magnet.aspx. With respect to Kindergarten, it depends on the school and the teacher. Our school had reading and math groups so my DS was with kids at his ability level. He is generally 2 grade levels above the curriculum but he is not the only one so he has a peer group and they push each other. I do supplement at home but that is because I don't think the math is challenging so after my DS takes 5 minutes on his math homework, I sometimes him one more sheet that challenges him. We also make him practice writing (again, nothing crazy - it takes him a few minutes to complete if he focuses - an hour if he decides to decorate the page with pictures in an effort to wait me out). Not every day and I think it helps when me and my husband are there to explain concepts.

HGCs start in 4th grade and testing begins before that, along with teacher recommendations, etc. Can't speak to what it takes to get in. Have seen posts where kids are reading at high school/college level and other posts where kids are just a few grades above curriculum. As long as your child is enjoying school and continuously learning, then he or she is in the right place.

No..there is no tracking..kids in K are grouped for things like reading and math (math depends on the school). Most activities in K are applicable to kids at all ability levels and can be performed in a number of different ways depending on the level of the child. For example, everyone listens to a story. One child draws a picture of the main character. ANother child writes a sentence about what they know about the main character. Another child is assigned to decide what might happen to the character next.

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

You're hilarious. If you aren't joking, then you should know that by prepping your pre-k child, you will just create an anxious, freaked-out-kid, not a gifted one. Obviously, the fact that you think you need to prep your kid is - ipso facto - proof that your child is not gifted.

The HGC is for 4th and 5th grade so you've got time to prep. Isn't the testing done in 3rd grade?

Be aware that the HGC is very selective so plenty of "gifted" kids aren't accepted.

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!