[Carolina]

We have a gifted child whom we homeschool.

However, we decided not to fast track him and give him a normal childhood instead.

We were quite put off by the behavior of some of the parents in the gifted program and didn't really appreciate their elitist attitude.

Also, we figured that it would be better for him to have his childhood WHEN he's supposed to be a child than for him to try to regain it down the road. There's plenty of time to develop his intellect.

[Egg]

we figured that it would be better for him to have his childhood WHEN he's supposed to be a child...

I guess that's a relative issue, isn't it? There was a time in this country when adulthood began at about this kid's age. Anymore we expect so little of our youth--and we get it. It's refreshing to see someone not bogged down by the sorry expectations of this culture.

[2Jedismom]

Same thing with us...we homeschool our gifted boy and although we do have him on a sort of "fast track" as far as academics are concerned, in all other areas he's treated as a normal 6 year old. I estimate he'll be acamemically ready for some college courses when he's 14-15 years old. At which time, the local junior college has already said he could attend. And since my husband's not a neurosurgeon and I don't have time to paint the walls much less a picture, junior college is going to have to do.

I, too, was put off by the local school for gifted children. Arrogance is not a virtue. I prefer this beautiful goofy (sometimes intense) little boy who comes in so filthy from playing in the garden that all you can see is the whites of his eyes!

[Aquinasfan]

Also, we figured that it would be better for him to have his childhood WHEN he's supposed to be a child than for him to try to regain it down the road. There's plenty of time to develop his intellect.

I feel bad for exceptionally gifted children. There is so much pressure on them to do something spectacular in adulthood, like becoming the next Bill Gates.

I don't see anything wrong with beginning college at 16 if the child is mature.

[Redbob]

So what's this kid going to do with his life? He'll have a doctor's degree at what Fifteen, sixteen? But won't be old enough to work until he's 18?
When and how is he going to learn to be a human?