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MANILA, Philippines – This is a question that most of us, as parents, ask. Could my child be the next Cecile Licad, Lisa Macuja, or Bencab?
The answer is not always easy to find, especially without proper assessment. However, every child has the potential to develop their natural abilities (giftedness) into talents.
As parents, your role is to help nurture their gifts by closely monitoring their development.
It is important to note though, that every child is unique and development happens at different paces. However there are certain characteristics that are shared between exceptional kids and, as a parent, it is helpful to be aware of these.
With the help of the expert advice of Principal Amos V. Manalangit from the Headway School of Giftedness, here are some signs that your child may be gifted.
1) My child is an early talker
Most children begin saying their first words at the age of 1 and would have a vocabulary of up to 10 words. Gifted children, on the other hand, can begin saying their first words as early as 6 to 9 months old.
If your child can speak quickly, and can make longer and more complex sentences, this could also be a sign of giftedness. They are more able to understand and carry out more complex instructions and directions.
While early speech is seen as a sign of giftedness, this is not true for all children. Late talkers can also be considered gifted because when they do talk they skip over early stages and go straight into speaking in proper and complete sentences.
2) My child surprises me with his/her choice of words
Other than early signs of talkativeness, giftedness can also be seen in the range of words and vocabulary that your child uses. This can mean one of two things, the number of words your child uses, and their choice of words.
Typically, a 1-year-old child has a vocabulary of 10 words and it expands to 205 words by age 2 and 900 words by age 3. A gifted child’s progress may be much quicker and may even exceed the 100 word mark even at just 18 months.
Word choice is also very telling. Normally a child first learns nouns commonly used in the home such as daddy, mommy, dog, and ball. This is followed by simple verbs like go, give, and want.
On top of learning these words, gifted children (as early as the age of 3) have a more expanded vocabulary. This includes the use of connecting words: and, or, because; transitional and multisyllabic words: however, appropriate; and time markers: now, then, later, and first.
An advanced vocabulary allows for gifted children to easily participate in adult conversation.
3) I am surprised by the questions asked by my child
A high level of curiosity, deep concentration, and a strong interest in learning new things, way beyond an average chid’s natural sense of awe and wonder, are all signs of giftedness.
The curiosity of a gifted child goes beyond a surface level of understand. They are not satisfied by taking things at face value. The have a natural yearning to learn deeply and profoundly about a certain topic that interests them.
This is evident in the questions they ask. They are not satisfied by just asking and answering what questions but also the why. Some children may be content with asking, “What are the different species of dinosaurs?” while gifted children would ask, “Why are there different species of dinosaurs and how did they come to be?”
Additionally they choose to probe more advanced topics that kids their age are not usually concerned with like God, death, and the meaning of life.
They are quick learners and are able to grasp and retain new knowledge easily. Often, they become avid readers and become interested in cultural events and social issues.
4) My child is sensitive to the feelings and emotions of others
Most young children can be rather indifferent in certain situations, which is why the ability to empathize may also be a sign of giftedness. The ability to be more sensitive to others’ feelings and emotions also contributes to their strong leadership skills.
Gifted children tend to dominate over their peers or take charge in certain situations because they are keenly aware of the motivations, emotions, and desires of others. They are the class leaders, trendsetters, and even rule breakers among their peers.
5) I am surprised that my child would rather play alone than with friends
While on the one hand, a sign of giftedness could mean being a natural born leader, on the other end of the spectrum, giftedness also manifests in a child’s ability to enjoy and even prefer alone time. This includes activities like imagining, writing, drawing, or simply being lost in thought or observing surroundings.
Gifted children tend to also thrive through self study and can benefit from acceleration programs and schools that allow an individualized approach to education.
So what’s next: nature or nurture?
Whether or not giftedness comes from nature (heredity) or nurture (environment) is still debatable. However, it is generally accepted that both come into play in developing a child’s gifts into exceptional talents.
Research has shown that giftedness can run in the family but its ultimate development is also dependent on the environment on which he was raised.
Every child is unique and gifted with potential. It is up to the parents to recognize and nurture these gifts. – Rappler.com
About Wyeth Nutrition
Wyeth Nutrition, formerly Pfizer Nutrition, is part of Nestlé S.A. Wyeth Nutrition develops premium-quality nutritional products scientifically designed to meet the needs of infants and young children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and adults. As pioneers in infant nutritional science, our mission is to provide the best nutritional support for future healthy outcomes. For nearly a century, Wyeth Nutrition has leveraged scientific research, world-class manufacturing and product safety standards to drive scientifically sound solutions that offer parents confidence, help nourish children and support their health. It employs the same level of excellence in delivering nutrient-rich products to adults.
For your child’s nutrition, consider the benefits of Promil Preschool which is fortified with Nutrissensials that provide the following benefits:
- Helps the body absorb vitamins and minerals
- Helps strengthen muscles and helps new cells develop
- Helps give the body with more energy so your child can perform at their best
- Helps brain development and promotes healthy vision
Disclaimer: Promil Preschool is not intended for lactating and breastfeeding moms and parents with children 3 years old and younger. If you believe your child shows strong signs of giftedness consult your child psychologists or pediatrician for professional assesment.
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