This morning I had routine parent/teacher conference with Joey's teacher. She went on and on about how brilliant he is, how gifted he is, and how much she loves being his teacher. She said that he reads far above grade level and is advanced in every other area as well, so he and one other student in the class are actually being taught a different curriculum than the rest of the class in order to keep them challenged and moving forward. She said that he really shouldn't even be in first grade, except socially that's where he needs to be.
I have to admit that I'm having mixed emotions . . . I'm, of course, so proud of him. Not surprised, though, because we've known since he was about 2 that he's gifted. But now that we have another child who will face cognitive delays, I don't know . . . it sort of tempers my feelings of pride I guess. I just feel like I have to be so careful now of how much value I place on my kids' intelligence. There's so much more to a person than how smart they are. Joey is a great kid, and I guess I have a right to feel really proud of that, though.
Adieu
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After more than two years and 555 posts (556 counting this one!), I'm
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7 comments:
I know how you feel. My older daughter is gifted also. She scores in the 96th percentile where Kayla scores in the 1/10th of 1 percentile. I'm proud of her and it's been so easy for her academically. (socially, another story!)
My hardest thing is having to WORK with Kayla because Laurie just picked stuff up on her own.
I grew up in an intellectual family, both my parents are college professors. So having Kayla has certainly made me realize that intelligence is just one part of a whole person and really made me question the priorities I was brought up with.
Lisa, DO be VERY proud of Joey's glowing report - and do not feel your pride in any way diminishes your pride and love for your other children - it simply recognizes HIS particular gift, which is the "smarts"!
You will be proud of other things with each of your other children since they will each have their own unique "giftedness" [although it is also likely they will ALL have the "smarts" since your family is full of them :) ] - so celebrate it all! Lisa B.
If Joey was a champion tennis player or Kevin was a brilliant artist you would be proud of those accomplishments without concern for discounting another child's lack of tennis skill or art abilities. You should be very proud of Joey's accomplishments - he's an amazing kid.
Did you tell her that at 1 he was saying the alphabet backwards??? I remember I called 3 of my friends and had him do it on the phone. We then all tried and couldn't do it once!!! Kevin and Joey are both way smarter than me! : ) Don't you feel so safe having me watch them? XOXO.
Did you tell her that at 1 he was saying the alphabet backwards??? I remember I called 3 of my friends and had him do it on the phone. We then all tried and couldn't do it once!!! Kevin and Joey are both way smarter than me! : ) Don't you feel so safe having me watch them? XOXO.
I think it is wonderful that you feel proud of Joey's intelligence. I'm sure that there will also be many, many ways Finn will make you proud, too.
I totally agree with Lisa B's comment!!!. :)
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