Every parent wants to believe their child is a genius. I'm one of them. So when I came across an article entitled "11 ways to tell if your child is a genius", I couldn't not read it. And when Katelyn hit nine out of the eleven markers, well, my shoulders couldn't help but puff up a little. I have to keep in mind that it's only a Yahoo article...not Mensa. And the article doesn't mention what happens if your kid only hits most of the markers...does that mean she's almost a genius? Anyways, here's a breakdown of the eleven signs and how Miss K fits into each one:
1) Asks lots of questions
The article says the questions have to be beyond "Are we there yet?" and "But why?". Katelyn's questions blow my mind sometimes. She wants to know how the sun stays warm and what it's made from. She asks about heaven and death. She wants to know which room is below the one we're currently standing in (talk about your spatial awareness!). Her questions range from ones I can answer easily (why do we have stop lights?) to more difficult ones (or sensitive ones like "what's in a cemetery?").
2) Good memory
She's my daughter so I would have been surprised if she didn't have a great memory. She can remember things from two years ago - places we've been, things we have seen. Let me remind you that she's only four and a half. And don't even waste your time playing a game of Memory against her...you're only going to get your ass handed to you.
3) Sense of humour
This girl understands sarcasm and dry humour already. Again, she is my daughter after all :) She loves to tell her own jokes but has yet to master telling a knock-knock joke...all in good time.
4) Reading at an early age
Katelyn just started reading about a month ago. I knew it was time to pull out the old "Dick and Jane" books (from which I learned to read) when Miss K started pointing out words like go, no, stop and play. She is devouring the books and LOVES giggling at the silly things the characters do.
5) Prefers the company of adults over children
This is one marker Katelyn doesn't fit. While she does enjoy her "mommy time", she also really enjoys playing with the little boy next door :)
6) Has an awareness of world events
This is another marker she doesn't fit. She's not concerned with what's happening in the Ukraine or what the current price of oil is at...
7) Unusual hobbies or in-depth knowledge of particular subjects
Want to know what a street sign means? Just ask Miss K. She began to show an interest in street signs well over a year ago and I can't think of one that she does not know. "Look Mommy...no parking because of snow removal!"
8) Has a large vocabulary
This is the most noticeable attribute. Katelyn doesn't say "The sun is gone". She says, "The suns rays have disappeared". I don't even say that.
9) Natural leader
Katelyn takes the initiative everywhere she goes. She likes to lead other children in games. She's the little mother hen of any group she is a part of. If someone is hurt, Katelyn makes sure they are okay. If someone is being shy, Katelyn will gently take them by the hand and lead them into the group. She can't not lead. It's in her blood.
10) Is fond of telling stories or composing songs
As I type this, Miss K is plinking away on our keyboard, singing at the top of her lungs about Minecraft and its zombies. She has now followed that up with "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star". She likes to keep us on her toes as to what is going to come out of her mouth next. She loves to stand on the hearth of the fireplace, have us be her audience and regale us with wonderful tales from the past.
11) Tends to question authority
Oy vey. If this was the only marker for being a genius, I think every four-year old would be one! She questions every thing we do with regards to discipline and we do our best to explain why she is being sent to her room, instead of just shuffling her in there and closing the door. She is a very stubborn, tenacious little girl who loves to give back as good as she gets it. I don't worry about her being bullied at all :)
So...now that I think my child might be a genius, does that change anything? Absolutely not. We will continue to answer her questions, indulge her passions, foster her interests and encourage her as much as possible in all aspects. Just like we've been doing all along.
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