Gifted Toddler (an update on an older post)

[gypsysmiles]

I came across THIS post earlier today. I thought it would be nifty to update it.
The red is from when Connor was nearly 13 months old.
Connor is now 20 months old. Green is what he can do now, in addition to the red.

Eighteen Months:

• Turns pages in a book
• Stacks two blocks --- do legos count???
• Walks without help
• Scribbles with crayons - the lady at WIC let him scribble with her pen, and he did it!
  
• Identifies object in a picture book
• Begins to sort by shapes and colors
• Follows simple, one-step directions
• Says 8-10 words others can understand - many more actually
• Repeats words heard in conversation
• Looks at person speaking to him or her
• Uses “hi,” “bye,” and “please” when reminded
• Asks for something by pointing or using one word
• Acts out familiar activity in play (i.e. pretending to eat)
• Recognizes self in mirror or pictures
• 
  
• Two Years:
• • Drinks from a straw - once or twice, we don't use straws so idk
  • Feeds self with spoon
  • Builds tower with 3-4 blocks
  • Opens cabinets, drawers, boxes
  • Walks upstairs with help
  • Likes to take things apart
  • Explores surroundings
  • Begins to make believe play
  • Can and will follow directions
  • Enjoys looking at the same books over and over
  • Has vocabulary of several hundred words
  • Uses 2-3 word sentences
  • Comforts a distressed friend of parent
  • Refers to self by name and uses “me” and “mine”
  • Points to eyes, ears, or nose when asked
  Three Years:
  • Builds tower of 4-5 blocks
  • Walks up steps, alternating feet
  • Turns pages in a book one at a time
  • Pays attention for about three minutes
  • Remembers what happened yesterday
  • Knows some numbers, but not always in the right order
  • Looks through a book alone
  • Likes to be read to
  • Counts 2-3 objects
  • Follows simple one-step commands
  • Uses 3-5 word sentences - I Love My Mama
  • Asks short questions
  • Names at least one color correctly
  • Knows first and last name
  • Recognizes & understands most common objects & pictures

  Early Talking
  Gifted children tend to begin talking early. While most children say their first word at around one year of age, gifted children may begin speaking when they are nine months old. Some parents report that their children said their first word even earlier than that, as early as six months of age.
  
  Some parents have even reported that their children tried very hard to form words at three months! However, most babies are simply not physically developed sufficiently to control their mouths, tongue, and lips well enough to make the speech sounds they need. They may purse their lips and nearly turn blue with the effort and then become quite frustrated when they can't make the sounds they want to make.
  
  Teaching babies sign language is a good way to help these children express themselves without vocalization.
  
  It's important to note that not all gifted children speak early. In fact, some gifted children are late talkers, not talking until they are two years old or even older. When they do speak, however, they sometimes skip over the stages of language development and may begin speaking in full sentences. While early talking is a sign of giftedness, not speaking early is not an indication that a child is not gifted.

How Can I Tell If My Child Might Be Gifted?

Some early signs of giftedness include:

• Abstract reasoning and problem-solving skills
• Advanced progression through developmental milestones
• Curiosity
• Early and extensive language development
• Early recognition of caretakers (for example, smiling)
• Enjoyment and speed of learning
• Excellent sense of humor
• Extraordinary memory
• High activity level
• Intense reactions to noise, pain, or frustration
• Less need for sleep in infancy
• Long attention span
• Sensitivity and compassion
• Unusual alertness in infancy - always aware as a newborn
• Vivid imagination (for example, imaginary companions)