Every parent thinks their child is the smartest person ever born. That’s just a natural part of being a proud parent. But sometimes…they’re right. And there are signs you can look for at a very early age that might be signs that your child is indeed gifted, including the following:

Early Development of Language Ability

You know someone who has bragged that their child said their first word at five months, even though they were simply running “mumbagargle” through the “My kid is awesome!” filter and getting “Mommy” out of it. However, if your child starts speaking words clearly well before other children their same age, this could be a sign of a gifted child.

An Extensive Memory

If you find yourself saying “How the heck did she remember that?” often, or find yourself asking your child something because you can’t remember but you know they will, this could indicate a high I.Q.

They Need Less Sleep As An Infant

Let’s face it, all infants sleep less than their parents would like. But if you notice they seem to require quite a bit less sleep than normal, this can be an indicator that they are gifted…it’s a common trait among people with higher intelligence. And yes, that means they may always need less sleep than normal.

Intense Reactions To Noise, Pain or Frustration

Simply put, gifted children have a more pronounced reaction to outside stimulus. A loud noise will scare any infant or small child, but if it takes you a while to figure out what has disturbed them, this could also be a sign.

These are just a few of the many indicators that you may, in fact, have a gifted child. To find out more, visit the National Association of Gifted Children online. And remember…whether or not your child is gifted, they’re still special, and still have the potential to succeed beyond your wildest dreams. All they need is your informed support and understanding.

And cookies. They need lots of cookies.

Tags: gifted children, gifted education, IQ