Thanks. Anytime I can take credit for anything I will but really we had little to do with it other than genetics. We spend ours with our son and have pretty much left her alone. She just loves to read and write and learn. Its all her but I will take all of the credit!

The gifted program was the highlight of my public school education. We had it all the way through high school, but it was significantly less structured at that point.

One word of note; don't be surprised if she comes home cranky on the gifted class days. That was the case for me throughout elementary school. It's a drain going from just cruising through normal classes to having to actually think for a change.

Definitely worth while, IMO. Congrats and good luck.

Mike,

I hope your little one really enjoys the LEAP program. At this level education must be fun as well as challenging. If "your" LEAP program over there is anything likes "ours" here then it should really appeal to her. The delivery of the program is probably more important than the program itself (in our experience anyway). If the teachers are excited and "colourful" in their delivery the kids will get even more from the program.

Here's a little of our experiences...All 3 of our kids have been involved in a variety of accelerated learning programs over the years...interesting though how the personality of the child determines the outcome. Our eldest (17) loved his involvement in gifted programs all the way through his primary school years. He got to do some amazing things with one particular group of gifted educators; including an aviation program at age 10. Five days of learning about aeronautics at a small aerodrome culminating in flying a Cessna (including take-off). The instructor even allowed him to fly over our workshop (airport was not far away) so he could wave down at us. Now how silly are we parents I ask; I spent that day rushing outside to wave at every light aircraft that flew overhead...and before long the whole street was joining in :). The small group of kids who did this program got so much out of it in so many ways. Tom was very fortunate to be selected for such things and he knows it...

But roll forward into his senior school years and all he wanted was to be "average". He was caught between a rock and hard place though - mainstream classes bored him silly but he hated being thought of as "gifted". So he bucked and rebelled. In the end he refused to return to school and left at the end of Year 9 (age 15) despite his abilities. As usual though, this kid fell on his feet and not his arse and is completing his chef's apprenticeship at an extraordinary restaurant. He will be qualified at the tender age of 18 and the world will be his oyster...

Tom now says to Mike and I that he is thankful that we pushed him when we thought necessary and prodded him to stay in the accelerated learning programs when he wanted out. I am not so sure we were right; time will tell I guess. Certainly our experience with him has taught us to take a step back every now and then with our other two; Charlotte (12) and Billy (10). I am not overcome with exuberance about their talents to the point of pushing them into every gifted program they are offered. They have to really want to do it for us to say "yes". There is plenty of time later in life for them to "have" to do things (we adults all know that only too well)...but at their age I have learned that they will learn best and do their best when they are enjoying the experience.

What I am saying after this ramble :rolleyes: is that as long as your little one really enjoys it then go for it.

Lisa, thanks for the story. Much to consider.
I do know a few kids involved in it and they say it is 'real fun'. We try to tell the kids that there will be certain tasks in life that they will not like to do - like practice piano or homework or exercise but no one has ever regretted being able to play piano, get good grades or be in shape. There is a world full of folks regretting they didn't do certain things though.

I don't want to come off as a hard ass but any opportunity that our children are given to improve themselves with they will do - piss, whimper and carry on all you want but I assure them, it will not hurt them and they will always thank us for pushing them.

You're not a hardass - you're being a great parent ;). And yes; we "push" - all the time. Homework, household chores etc. Most importantly we push and hard when the kids decide to undertake certain activities that involve lengthy commitment. They take something on, they must see it through to the end "properly". No getting out of commitment here just because the novelty has worn off. That's a lesson for life.

But we pushed too hard for a while there with Tom - now we evaluate these opportunities for Charlotte and Billy with a touch more temerity.

I read the blurb you sent about the LEAP program - looks fantastic and really well balanced (and pretty much the same as our LEAP here). What a great experience for your little one :). She's a very lucky girl!

Lisa...good to know your son is doing okay! :)

Congrats.

My son was in the gifted program before we decided to homeschool. It was the only thing he looked forward to during the day. We decided to homeschool this year after the school district cut the amount of time he was in the gifted classes due to budget. He was bored with everything else.

Your daughter will love it. And you guys will love having her come home everyday telling you all she's doing. Enjoy.