Having a higher than average IQ may not necessarily mean that your child is the next Einstein, but it could mean that your little one has a bright future to look forward to.
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Every parent wants the best for their child. We want them to succeed and be on top of the game in order to get the best quality of life. Most parents want to give their children the opportunities and luxuries they were denied. And in order to make it possible for their kids to attain them, they lay emphasis on discipline and a strict routine. But did you know that certain “negative” or “bad” traits mean that your child might already have the upper hand? Your child may already be exhibiting signs that they are gifted. You just have to notice your child’s talents and help them develop it.
1. They Visualize And Draw 
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If your child is artistically inclined, chances are you have a gifted child. A gifted child is an information collector. After visiting certain places, some children can draw them in grave detail without having to look at a picture. Scientists have officially named this ability Eidetic Memory (1). This type of memory is extremely rare. Only 2% to 10% of children possess this ability. And it occurs in adults far less often.
2. They Hold Eye Contact For Long Periods Of Time When They Are Babies 
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Have you ever been out in public and watched a baby stare at you for minutes together? As creepy as this may seem, it simply means that they’re smart! If your baby likes prolonged eye contact it means that they are aware of their environment and alert as to what’s going on in their immediate surroundings. For babies who are only a couple of months old, it means that they have learnt to coordinate their eyes (2). The existence of such awareness at a young age signals that your baby is developing rapidly. Gifted kids tend to be more awake and alert.
3. They Usually Speak A Lot And Quickly 
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A fast speaking rate, varied vocabulary, the ability to participate in adult conversation and the ability to read early all indicate that your child is gifted. The average child starts speaking at the age of 2 whereas gifted 2 year old kids are often able to frame complex phrases. However, in some rare cases children learn to speak later. Scientists think that these children may have what they call Einstein Syndrome (3). It was named after Albert Einstein as he was unable to communicate properly before the age of 5.
4. They Are Social Butterflies But They Also Love Spending Time With Adults 
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The next time your child gets reprimanded for being social and chattery, just remember that your child is two steps ahead of their peers. Children with advanced development prefer to converse with people who are older than them. They might seek out a teacher or an older classmate to chat with. They tend to gravitate towards deep conversations on topics that they are interested in instead of simply playing with kids their own age. However, they still have loads of friends who are of their own age group. How, you may ask? If your child is a genius, then they probably have high levels of social intelligence (4). They are able to easily build relationships with the people around them. If your child gains the interest of their friends, they are probably gifted.
5. They Have A Good Sense Of Humor 
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If you have a kid who knows how to have a good laugh, life is going to be easier for them regardless of their IQ. But did you know that a sense of humor also reveals intelligence? A person’s ability to understand jokes and make jokes in return is associated with abstract thinking. So the next time your little one is trying to make you laugh by joking around, don’t get upset.
6. They Are Susceptible And Emotional 
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No one likes being called a crybaby. But did you know that being emotional and sensitive is actually a good thing? Research reveals that the emotional intelligence of children is connected to their intellectual abilities (5). So, if your child is extremely sensitive to the emotions of others and themselves then it can indicate that they have high emotional intelligence as well as possibly high intellectual intelligence. Children that have great skills are sometimes neglected and are susceptible to emotional disorders. Their nervous system can get overwhelmed with too much information and they can have a strong reaction to this (6).
It’s important to keep track of these subtle signs in order to figure out if you’ve got a gifted child on your hands. Once you do, you’ll be able to stimulate them and nurture them in a way that keeps them happy and engaged. But it is also important to keep in mind that they are still children and need to be allowed to behave as such. Do you recognise any of these signs in your kids? Let us know in the comments section.
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Kezia John, BA
Kezia holds a deep interest in writing about women adapting to motherhood and childcare. She writes on several topics that help women navigate the joys and responsibilities of being a new mom and celebrate every stage of their baby’s development. When she is not writing for MomJunction, she sings in a classical Western choir and reads endlessly.View Profile ›LATEST ARTICLES
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Source: momjunction.com
