Unlocking a Child's Potential - Success Secrets Every Parent Wishes to Know

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Hi,
All children have some hidden potential. However, hidden talents and skills are always potential, unless they become kinetic and forceful. In other words, hidden talents and skills in children could be equated to millions tons of water that is stored in a huge reservoir. This storehouse of water is stationary but potentially powerful when let out of the dam. Similarly, unlocking a child's hidden potential is hence important. All the best.

Thought for today:
"If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves." - Thomas A. Edison

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Q1: We had our daughter checked by a developmental pediatrician at age 3 because she doesn't turn her head when we call her and she doesn't like company of other people. She was suspected to have Asperger's Syndrome. We put her on an early intervention class. After 6 months she was re-evaluated and the 1st diagnosis was lifted. She's normal. Now after her 3rd assessment, biological age is 4, her cognitive age is 6y.o, vocabulary 5.5y.o. She learned to read before age 4. Math skills like addition, subtraction, fraction at age 4...

A: It is not uncommon for professionals to quickly make diagnoses based on a few symptoms of young children. However, we need to be very cautious with labeling as it may exert undue pressure to both child and parents. Having said that, it is good to check if a child is not developing normally as a professional would be able to give an indication of a possible concern, and more importantly, intervention can be started as early as possible..... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Signs of Giftedness here.

Q2: Wy seven-year-old son is in first grade, and in a Spanish immersion program. Teachers do the scoring for the children to qualify for the gifted program at school. My opinion is that this poses a problem, in that the children learn entirely in Spanish and so their talents in English (which are obviously far greater than in Spanish-language) are not necessarily recognized by the classroom teacher, who happens to be a native Spanish speaker. When I asked the guidance counselor about this, she said that she would do a Kaufman brief intelligence test 2 on my son. She did that, and his verbal score was 117, nonverbal was 125 and the composite was 125. I'm not sure what the raw data mean. Could you clarify this for me?

A: Based on the raw score for the KBIT-2, it appears that your son is in the superior range for nonverbal and high average for verbal. His composite score shows high ability and a few schools do admit students with scores above 125 into the gifted and talented programme but this is indeed the borderline cut-off for most. Usually a score of 130 is required for admission. However, there is always exception to the case if you have good evidence that your child would benefit and is more suited in the said programme... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Interpretation of KBIT2 and SIGS Test Score here.

Q3: My daughter displays many of the characteristics of being gifted, but I have no idea how to gain confirmation of this. Who would I need to contact? I have spoken to my daughters Head Teacher about her behaviour at home which is getting worse, but she is fine at school. I have also been in touch with the School Nurse who has suggested parenting courses and one to ones at school. Please help! I'm at my wits end with her! She is only 8.

A: The single best predictor for giftedness for a child would be an intelligence test. A standardised intelligence test would be able to help you gauge her cognitive abilities. Obviously the more comprehensive the test, the more detail the description. It is best to seek help from a gifted education specialist but there are many educational psychologists who are able to administer a test. Ask the school to refer you to a recommended one.... Continue to read Dr. Sandhu's answer on Confirmation on Giftedness here.

Beyond the Label: A Guide to Unlocking a Child's Educational Potential
By Karen L. Schiltz Ph.D, Amy M. Schonfeld Ph.D and Tara A. Niendam Ph.D

This superb guide shows you how to obtain the necessary assessment(s) that will help you to better understand a child's strengths and weaknesses. It also describes what an educational "accommodation" is and how it can serve as a bridge to learning. Every child has the legal right to fully access the learning environment and to show what they truly know when taking tests.

The authors describe how accommodations specifically target a child's weaknesses in order to level the playing field in the classroom and during test taking situations. Accommodations can be as simple as giving the child extra time to finish a test or allowing them to take a test in a smaller group to minimize distractions. In addition, this handbook outlines the relevant research to help you understand the big picture of a child's learning and emotional needs.

The Smarter Preschooler: Unlocking Your Child's Intellectual Potential
By Renee Mosiman MA and Mike Mosiman

Arranged in a clear and accessible format, this guide presents the latest research on how to develop a child's intellect. Written to help parents create an enriched environment in and outside the home - the discussion breaks intelligence down into several capabilities, including critical thinking, problem solving, general knowledge, reading skills, vocabulary, oral comprehension, math skills, spatial ability, curiosity, and creativity.

This book covers many topics, almost all backed by research. The authors discuss those activities that help my children learn, and those that don't. After making some adjustments suggested in the book, we're already seeing some positive results. This book is a great practical guide for maximizing a child's potential.

Prenatal Fish Oil Supplements May Not Boost Child's Brain Health, Study Finds
Healthday May 3, 2014

Toddlers whose mothers took extra omega-3 daily were no smarter than other tots, researchers say. Despite public health recommendations that women consume omega-3 fatty acid supplements while pregnant, new research suggests that offspring do not gain any mental health benefit from the intervention.

Clinical research: Low maternal thyroid raises autism risk
SFARI May 2, 2014

The thyroid hormone plays an important role in brain development, and fetuses rely on the mother's supply of the hormone for the first trimester and much of the second2. As a result, abnormal maternal levels may have lasting effects on her child's brain.

Genetic Screening to Enhance IQ Should be Embraced
politix Apr 29, 2014

There could be a way of predicting - and preventing - which children will go on to have low intelligence, according to the findings of a study researchers at Cardiff University presented on Monday. They discovered that children with two copies of a common gene (Thr92Ala), together with low levels of thyroid hormone are four times more likely to have a low IQ. This combination occurs in about 4% of the UK population.

Parents being first teachers: Key in child development
York News Times May 03, 2014

The years from birth to age 5 are important times in a child's learning ability because the brain is developing at a faster pace than it does at any other point in a child's life.

Supporting the building blocks
Prince George Citizen May 02, 2014

Mental wellness is something people often become aware of in young adulthood, but a growing number of advocates are stressing the need to focus on the mental health of infants and young children.

This Child Prodigy's Incredible Artwork Will Make You Want To Doodle In Your Boring Meeting
The Huffington Post Apr 30, 2014

Duan Krtolica, an 11-year-old child prodigy from Serbia, has been making art since he was 2 years old, according to OddityCentral. By the time he was 8 he had already had two national solo exhibitions, and he has since had two more to display his stunning and intricate drawings.

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