Here is some info on how to help your gifted grade-schooler succeed.

http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/0_how-to-help-your-g...ild-succeed_67430.pc

I often wondered how and when you will know whether your child is gifted?

I was two points on my IQ away from going to the gifted program when I was little, and my DH should have definitely been in a gifted program, if only there would have been one when he was growing up. I know that gifted children often have behavioral issues (just ask my parents LOL!), my DH and I are still very strong willed to this day. I know there are lots of issues that parents of gifted children have to deal with that aren't even thought of by other parents. If my LO turns out to be gifted, how and when will you know? I want to be able to get proper guidance before it is too late.

Maybe some of you ladies that are teachers can answer this one.

Does anyone know how to get my child tested for a gifted program? I was in one when I was little, and last year, one of my daughter's teachers recommended that I get her tested, I'm just not sure how to go about it or at what age they normally do it.

I'll be brief - I could go on for paragraphs about this!!

Each state is different, but they test at the end of 2nd grade/beginning of 3rd grade for gifted programs. They have some odd ball rules about what qualifies a child. I have kids in my school that qualified and do nothing to excel, they act up quite a bit, yet they pass their standardized tests without effort. Then there are kids that overflow with enthusiasm that didn't qualify and are a joy to teach and soak it all in. I don't know how they can decide on just a test and some character classifications, but they do.

My advice is this (and I am no authority) but watch your child. If you see them show interest in something, guide them gently to do things in that area off-line from school. If you guide your little person beyond "state mandated public school". They will thrive and suceed in life and may actually be happy in the job they choose. So many aren't.

Example I can give is that my 6 year old LOVES science (oceanography in particular). Well, in 1st grade they don't do alot of science at all. I have bought books on this subject and just read to her, had her read what she could and am investigating a science club for her through a museum in Atlanta. Her face lights up when she talks "fish" and I am going to help out in anyway that I can.

Oh - forgot - just ask your child's teacher about how to get them tested, they will know. There is a checklist of character traits and test scores that a child has to have checked before they qualify to test.