It is always a parent’s source of pride whenever her child is referred to as “gifted”. Saying so connotes possessing a superior ability not usually expected of kids that age. An example of this is a preschool-age child being able to retain a large chunk of information, as evident when he can identify the flag and the capital of each country. It could also be manifested in a child’s excellent musical ability, or in linguistics, and so on.
But while most children who are identified as gifted are usually in the preschool age or older, it is said that giftedness can also be noticed as early as infanthood.
In a 2003 study published in the Educational Psychology Review, it was found that some babies were habituated, or became less responsive to familiar stimuli, faster than others. They also showed a preference for novelty, and responded more to new stimuli. This characteristic suggests that the baby is able to absorb sensory information faster and has a greater cognitive capacity. Eight years later, the same research reports that these same kids tested as “gifted” on standard IQ tests.
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Could your baby be gifted?
1. He constantly craves stimulation.
Does he stop crying when he hears music? Does he seem deeply interested in an object he’s never seen before? Does he get bored quickly playing with the same toy? He needs to be exploring and discovering all the time, so when you can’t tell what is causing him to be fussy, it may be the lack of stimulus.
2. He sleeps less than other babies his age.
According to Peter Fleming, a professor on infant health and developmental psychology at the University of Bristol, “There’s a link between very high levels of developmental and intellectual achievement and not sleeping throughout the night.”
3. He notices everything.
Even if your baby is still unable to talk, you will notice how perceptive he is by observing his eyes and how he seems to be constantly in deep thought — possibly because he’s making those mental connections. Some babies could even sense how their mom or dad is feeling at the moment.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW4. He meets developmental milestones early.
Babies who speak their first words or walk or crawl earlier than expected are likely to grow up gifted if his potentials are nurtured well.
Of course, the presence of these qualities in your child does not automatically make him gifted. Identifying giftedness is a multi-phased process. For now, recognize his uniqueness and shower him with love to support his growth and potentials.
