AboutCarol Bainbridge Expertise I can answer most questions on parenting gifted children, from infants on. Questions can be about parenting, advocacy, and support and I can provide suggestions for toys and books gifted children love. I can even help you determine whether your child is gifted or bright, and I can point you to more information you might need. I can answer some questions about programs for gifted children, but can`t help much with information on colleges. Visitors wanting to know if their children are gifted might want to read the article "Is My Child Gifted?" before asking a question.
Experience I am the parent of a gifted child and have been working with other parents of gifted children for 13 years, helping them find support and providing them with information. I founded a local gifted organization and helped organize a parent day for a national gifted conference. I have been an active member of my state's gifted association since 1999 and created and maintain their Web site. In addition, I have created a website for parents of gifted children who are looking for toys and books for their children: www.giftsforlearning.com.
I am also the Guide About.com Gifted Children Site.
Organizations National Association for Gifted Children. Board member of state gifted association.
Expert: Carol Bainbridge Date: 4/15/2008 Subject: IS HE ALSO GIFTED
Question am a dad and my kid is only 5 days old. just today i tickled him and he smiled. yesterday, he almost lifted himself up on his legs. he moves around in bed.. to the left right> His grips are so firm you will think he is an adult. we are careful carrying him because he can move so vigorous he may fall off.
let me know just what is up?
Answer Although signs of giftedness show up in infancy, it's not always easy to state with any assurance if a baby is gifted. Smiling is not uncommon in infants, but there is disagreement as to what causes it. I would guess that smiling in response to tickling is not the more advanced social smiling that an infant does in response to social cues like smiling and cooing at the infant.
Holding on tight is also typical infant behavior. They can have a remarkably strong grasp. I suppose that is a survival trait. Even a young baby would have to hang on tight to its mother.
I am surprised at a 5-day-old child even attempting to lift himself up. Baby's muscles are stronger than we think they are, but lifting standing up, even by holding on to something, requires more than just muscle strength. Babies do move around in bed, although they aren't yet able to roll over for a while.
I am not a child development expert, so I can't give you much more information than I have already provided. I would say the length of gestation and the baby's size at birth could have an influence on what that baby can do, but as I said, I'm not an expert in child development.
If you want to know more about the signs of giftedness in infants, you can check out these articles:
