All parents want their kids to grow up happy and successful, but they also can’t help but wish that their babies are a tad smarter than the rest. To do that, parents must find that “spark” in order to help their little ones nurture their intelligence.
How to tell if your child is smarter than average
Can you tell whether your child is gifted or smart starting at a young age? Here are the signs you can look out for that will clue you in on your child’s intelligence:
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1. Your child is “madaldal” and can communicate well.
Did your baby learn to speak at an early age, is able to pick up new words easily, has a vast vocabulary and are able to string these words into longer, more complex sentences? You may have a gifted child on your hands, according to David Palmer, Ph.D., an educational an educational psychologist and the author of Parents' Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education: All You Need to Know to Make the Right Decisions for Your Child.
“[They have the ability to understand and carry out multi-step directions at an early age (e.g., go to the dining room, get the blue book on the table, and put it back on the shelf in your room, then bring me the clothes on your bed so I can wash them),” Palmer explains. Kids who are smarter than average can also adapt to the conversation — if they’re speaking with adults, they know they can use more complex words and if they’re speaking with someone younger, they’ll know to only use basic words.
2. Your child has an excellent memory.
They might surprise you by remembering places they’ve visited when they were still young, names of people they’ve interacted with and even specific locations where items that adults lost can be found. As a baby, they may already understand what’s the purpose of certain things, like knowing the bedroom is for sleeping and the kitchen is for mealtimes. That’s because kids who are smarter than average have really good memory and can easily recall things they’ve read or seen without difficulty, according to Palmer.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW3. He sleeps less than other babies his age.
Your baby keeping you up at night may drive you crazy, but it can be a sign of superior intelligence, 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,” he says in an interview with Buzzfeed.
Colleen Kessler, an American book author, homeschooling mom, and a master’s degree holder in gifted education, says in her blog, Raising Lifelong Learners, that recent findings found that gifted kids need more sleep but “have more trouble shutting down.” She adds, “This makes them appear to need less, but their bodies are actually craving more sleep than they’re getting.”
4. He has intense interests.
Is your kid obsessed with one particular thing, like vehicles, clothes, or dinosaurs? While it may be hard to keep up with their burning curiosity, it should be encouraged as it helps him become smarter.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowBeing fascinated with “conceptual topics” like dinosaurs has been linked to better attention spans, “deeper levels” of information processing skills, and increased knowledge and persistence, according to a 2008 study performed by researchers from the University of Wisconsin and Indiana University. Kids learn not just by memorizing random facts — they also ask questions, understand new ideas, and read books to expand their knowledge.
5. Their play areas are always messy.
Almost all kids can’t resist making a mess, but if you notice that your child can still focus on playing even when surrounded by clutter, he just might be a cut above the rest.
Research from the University of Minnesota found that people who work in messy desks are more likely to be creative and come up with innovative ideas. “Disorderly environments seem to inspire breaking free of tradition which can produce fresh insights,” says Kathleen D. Vohs, a behavioral scientist at the University of Minnesota and the lead author of the study. “Orderly environments, in contrast, encourage convention and playing it safe.”
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW6. He meets developmental milestones early.
Babies learn at their own pace, but the little ones who are able to speak their first words or walk or crawl earlier than expected are likely to grow up gifted if their potentials are nurtured well.
7. They are always curious and have a concentrated gaze.
Another marker of high intelligence is if your child is unusually bright and curious at a young age. According to Huffpost, “studies have found that infants who are brighter look intently for longer periods of time at their surroundings than do other infants.”
Deborah L. Ruf, Ph.D., an educational consultant and high intelligence specialist, and author of 5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options, says gifted children “tend to have more eye contact and seem to understand what people are talking about much sooner than their peers.”
She adds, “This is because brighter children’s brains are more receptive earlier than more typical children’s brains. They eagerly and naturally absorb from their environment so much that adults are often surprised at what they seem to already know!”
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW8. He started reading early and loves books.
Even before they’ve learned how to read, kids who are smarter than average already show a keen interest on books. According to researchers from the University of Edinburgh and King’s College London, children with strong reading skills at an early age are more likely to have above average intelligence in areas including vocabulary, verbal and reasoning, by age 7.
9. He’s a problem solver.
Gifted kids are adept at finding creative and imaginative solutions to every challenge that they face. This includes everyday situations like figuring out how to reach objects out of their reach (maybe they’ll stand on a box, stack books, or grab a stool). They don’t give up easily and enjoy solving problems especially with numbers and puzzles.
One thing to note: If your child shows early signs of intelligence such as the ones listed above, experts say it’s not a guarantee that he’ll be gifted. He may grow up smarter than average or have average intelligence. Parenting an intense, curious, and clever child can be challenging, so whatever happens, your kids will need all the support they can get.
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