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The term ‘precocious’ is often used to describe a child’s abilities in one or more areas.

What does it mean and does it have any real effect on a childcare environment in Nollamara?

Precociousness and Childcare in Nollamara

The word ‘precocious’ is usually used to describe a child who has unusual abilities in one or more areas. They might include things like arithmetic, music, writing, reading and so on.

As a description of a child’s capabilities, it’s often avoided in the typical childcare environment because it can risk setting up a hierarchy between children. In other words, some children are precocious and by implication ‘better’ than others at certain things. That can risk perceptions of elitism – something we, as a local Nollamara childcare provider, seek to avoid.

It’s more commonly used, understandably, by proud parents who take great pleasure in their child being perhaps unusually gifted in the activity concerned.

Can precociousness be measured?

The official definition of ‘precocious’ is “exceptionally early in development or occurrence”. It is most commonly applied to children but it is also used in botany to describe flower characteristics. It is also sometimes used to describe physical development taking place significantly earlier than normal – such as ‘precocious puberty’ in children.

Child psychologists typically tend to use multiple terms to describe children demonstrating talents and abilities way beyond their age. Most might differentiate between a child that is ‘gifted’ at say maths or reading and one who is ‘precocious’, meaning that their overall intellectual development across a range of subjects is much greater than normally found in a child of their age.

Many child development experts also express concerns relating to the overuse of this term, given that it tends to be restricted to certain relatively narrow ranges of child activity, such as arithmetic, reading and painting etc. Those psychologists also draw attention to children who may not be technically described as ‘precocious’ but who are considerably ahead of normal children in developing what’s called ‘HEI’ or High Emotional Intelligence.

HEI children are often more interested in other people and how they feel. They have much higher empathy ratings than others their age. They’re often conciliators and naturally gifted at getting children to work together and be harmonious.

Given the absence of a firm framework and testing regime for precociousness, it cannot easily be attributed or even defined, though some psychologists tend to use it to describe children who are in the top 1-5% in terms of achievement for their age.

Precocious children – the positives and negatives

Children that are typically agreed to be precocious, often make much faster academic or other class-based progress than many of their classmates. Keeping them stimulated and interested can sometimes be a challenge for early learning centre personnel unless they are very experienced.

Generally, children in this category will tend to do well in later schooling though that is not, in itself, a foolproof indicator of later life achievement in terms of higher education and career success.

Such children also may, unless care is taken at home and in the childcare centre, find themselves somewhat isolated due to their own capabilities. They may find it difficult to play and engage with other children, preferring instead the company of adults who will be closer to their intellectual equals. There is a risk there that their socialisation might be damaged as a result but experienced childcare professionals will be alert to such dangers and will take steps to remedy it.

If you’d like to know more about how we recognise and develop talent in children, why not call for an appointment to come along for a chat?