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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” traits mean that your child might already have the upper hand? Being bossy, a chatterbox or overactive lot are actually signs that your baby is ahead in terms of development. Despite this behavior being something parents struggle in order to get in control, it is actually a good thing. So would you like to know some not-so-obvious signs that your kid is highly developed both intellectually and emotionally? Read on to know more!
1. They Are Full Of Energy
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We’ve all seen those parents scrambling after their kids and felt sorry for them. But turns out, their child is as bright as they are restless. If your child is bursting with energy and can’t wait to begin the day, it’s a good sign. It means that they are more likely to seek out new experiences (1).
2. They Make Proper Eye Contact
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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 are super smart! If your baby likes to make prolonged eye contact, it means they are aware of their surroundings and alert as to what’s going on in their immediate surroundings. Babies who are only a couple of months old, it means that they have learnt to coordinate the muscles of their eyes (2). The existence of such awareness at a young age signals that your baby is developing rapidly.
3. They Are Chatterboxes
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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.
4. They Have Perfect Motor Skills Even In The Early Years
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Activities like smiling, rolling around and even putting on clothes all involve key motor skills. So any advanced motor development in our children involves the growth and strengthening of their muscles and their bones (3). Not to mention their ability to explore their environment with ease. One study says that good motor skills can be related to higher intelligence later on in life (4).
5. They Are Emotionally Sensitive
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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.
6. They Have Unusual Hobbies
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If your child has a niche interest, not discourage them. It might just mean that they are intelligent and curious. If you notice that your child is obsessed with a specific topic or is always engaged in one hobby or another, chances are that they are inquisitive and open minded. It can also be a sign that they are highly developed as they focus on a wide variety of interests and are able to learn about the world around them.
7. They Are Messy Eaters
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That’s right, we’re sure you’ve never had a reason to be happy about your little messy eater but here you are! Babies at around 16 months old learn by getting messy with objects, especially food. The babies who interact heavily with food get a better understanding of non-solid objects and can better recognize them in the future and in different settings. So let your baby make a mess, it means that they are rapidly developing!
Being a parent can be overwhelming at times. Keeping track of everything your baby needs to eat, do and avoid doing in order to develop well and stay healthy can be exhausting. But maybe your child is well ahead in terms of development and you didn’t even know it. Does your child exhibit any of these behaviors? Let us know in the comments section!
