Identifying If Your Child Is Gifted

Every parent hopes to find that their child is gifted. There are various degrees of being gifted and there is a way to identify them. Every aspect of a gifted child will make him feel different from other children his age.

Therefore if you suspect that your child is gifted, it’s best to place him in an environment with similar children, where he will be understood and identify with those around him.

Definition of gifted

A gifted child has the talent to excel in a specific field or subject. More often than not an Intelligence Quotient or IQ test will confirm if the child is gifted, although it not the only aspect of being gifted. The degrees of intelligence are grouped as follows:

• 115-124 Above average
• 125-134 Gifted
• 135-144 Very Gifted
• 145-164 Genius
• 165-179 High Genius
• 180-200 Highest Genius

Understanding the difference between gifted and bright

Distinguishing between being gifted and being bright is no easy task. By definition a gifted child will have an IQ of or above 140. A gifted child has the potential develop an exception talent, but this developing talent will need to be nurtured for it to develop into adulthood.

A bright child will have the following characteristics:

• Displays interest in learning and is receptive
• Is attentive and takes pride in work done
• Grasps and understands ideas
• Works hard at studying and achieving academic goals
• Enjoys their peers

A gifted child will have the following characteristics:

• Is highly curious and opinionated
• Does not work hard but excels in academics
• Develops own ideas
• Discusses and elaborates answers instead of just answering them
• Excellent memory and long attention span
• Has a vivid imagination
• Relates better to adults

Family trait

In most cases a gifted parent will give rise to gifted children. As a result of this a gifted child is often seen as ‘normal’ because the parent has the same characteristic, as well as the various definitions of gifted. The best way to determine if your child is gifted is to compare achievement of milestones from infancy.  A gifted baby may display some common super sensitivities, such as being very emotional and having his feelings hurt easily, being sensitive to the surrounding environment, such as being upset by a sudden and loud noise, in some cases in early infancy a baby may get niggley if facing the same direction for a period of time. Genetic giftedness has been proven through various tests and continuous research. More tests are being run on a routine basis to try to determine what part the genetic component plays in the overall intelligence of the child.

When to have your child tested

Firstly it should be determined why you want to have your child tested. Is it for schooling purposes? Is it to determine if your child is eligible for a gifted program? Or is it just to confirm what you suspect, that you have a gifted child?

It’s debated on when a child should be tested, although the general age that most agree on is after four and before nine. Before four, the results are likely to be inaccurate due to the unpredictable behaviour of the child. After nine, the testing may be inaccurate due to various factures including the test ceiling which is the highest possible score for that specific test .Ceilings vary from test to test, and within a test, from subtest to subtest. They also vary based on the child's age. There are two ways to identify a ceiling. First, if the child answered any more questions correctly, could she score any higher on the subtest? If the answer is no, she could not score any higher, then it is a ceiling.  Second, was the termination criteria for the subtest reached? Tests have specific requirements for stopping a subtest. Commonly, the student must get less than x questions correct of the last y questions asked. If the child did not reach the termination criteria, he had hit the ceiling.

The implications of being gifted

Despite the endless and bountiful bragging rights a parent will have, there is a very dark side to being a gifted child. These children often suffer with perfectionism and fear of failure, resulting in the child not trying something new and different. The child’s advanced sense of humor and reasoning may be misunderstood by peers, resulting in him becoming socially withdrawn. Due to his high intelligence he may try to outsmart and manipulate adults, if he succeeds he may become very insecure as, with any child, he will need guidance and stability. He may take criticism and even general anger very personally, often playground squabbles might affect him deeper than they should, causing him to become withdrawn.

And if he isn’t…

Every child is unique and has the ability to excel in something, whether it is baking, reading or the ability to make his parents laugh. If you know that your child is gifted but no one else notices, chances are the biggest gift he has is having you as a parent.

Can children be taught to be clever ?

Most people have heard that the playing of classical music to an unborn child will result in a clever or smarter child – but is this really true? Can parents really train kids to be smart?

The truth is, yes they can and classical music can help. In fact the playing of classical tunes to the unborn baby has actually being given a name ‘the Mozart effect’. The research conducted has positively proven that the music of Mozart or any other of the well known classical music producers will increase the ability of the brain. Not only will an unborn baby benefit from the sounds of classical music, but babies, toddlers, children and even adults have also responded positively to the music.

There are other methods that will help to increase the intelligence of a child, and these include:

Diet

You have probably heard of the term ‘brain food’. Foods which are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, such as fish are excellent brain food choices. Natural and wholesome diets, such as loads of fresh fruits and vegetables daily are also excellent food choices and restricting foods which are high in colorants and preservatives, like sweets, chips, etc.

Educational Toys and Games

There are dozens of good quality, fun and interactive educational toys and games on the market. Parents must choose toys and games which are age appropriate and which stimulate the child’s imagination.  The games encourage learning while having fun.

Independence

Part of being clever is being independent. Help your child to grow as an individual and give them the freedom to make their own decisions and choices. An independent child is a confident child!

Focus

Spend time focusing on your child. Arrange regular family outings and trips and point out interesting sights. Kids are always hungry for information and if parents can feed their hunger, the kids will want to find out more and learn more.

Food for thought – remember a clever child is not necessarily a child who walks away with an armful of awards on prize-giving night. A bright child is one who is confident and independent, is able to make their own decisions, and who is kind, caring and happy. Parents who want to teach their children to be clever, should remember that loving their children for who they are, is just as important. Good parents will realise that being smart is just one of the many traits displayed by healthy and well-rounded kids. By all means help your kids to reach their full potential but be sure to provide them with enough space and freedom to enjoy a carefree and happy childhood.

dads to be how your sex life will change.

Wondering what your sex life would be like during the nine months of pregnancy? Scared about how you’ll react to her changing body?
Will pregnancy be a turn-on or will your sexual appetite fade away because of your own insecurities? Well, things are much less scary when you have a better idea of what to expect.

But can I?

Yes, yes and yes. Dads to be needn't be freaked out – the baby cannot feel what you are doing, and neither will it affect the baby in any way. The baby is protected in the amniotic sac. Having sex during pregnancy would appear to the baby as just more exercise. And, as we all know, exercise is VERY good for mom-to-be.
Sleepy, again?
No, this is not just an excuse, it is actually true. Her body is using a lot of her energy reserves to make your baby, causing chronic tiredness. Extra progesterone can also be to blame for her sleepiness in the early stages. How to handle it? Rub her feet while she sits back and let her fall asleep – there really isn’t much more you can do. Wait it out, it does get better eventually for most woman, and of course men...

Whoa, where did that come from?

Hyper sexuality, yes it can happen. Her new pregnancy hormones can also have the opposite effect of sleepiness – it can increase her sexual appetite and energy levels. And because of an increase in blood flow, she will be sensitive in all the right places. Dads to be can also experience a peak in libido, as most men feel even closer to their partners after ‘accomplishing’ pregnancy.

Wait it out

Let’s see, most women are paste, anxiety-ridden and extremely emotional for their entire first trimester. By the time the second trimester arrives most worries and hormones have evened out and a hint of a libido may return. But take advantage of this quickly, as the third trimester brings with it swollen feet and an uncomfortable belly and insecurity around her changing body.

Keep it clean

Remember, almost anything can nauseate her, and it is best for your sex life that you are not the cause of that. See, her extra estrogen sharpens her sense of smell, making her more sensitive to any odours. So here’s a great tip: Keep it natural. Don’t use scented soaps and steer clear from heavy deodorant etc. It won’t do any dad to be any favours to mask a slightly sweaty body odour with some deodorant. Ask her to be honest about what works and what doesn’t. Try out a series of soaps, aftershave and deodorant until you find one she likes.

Boost her confidence

Insecurity rules in most women’s hearts when it comes to their bodies during pregnancy. Understand this: they have been fighting a bulging belly for their entire lives up until this moment, and now all of a sudden have to embrace a look that would normally have sent them running to the first diet clinic. A lot of reconditioning needs to happen to make her truly accept her body. She will need a lot of reassurance from your side. And don’t just say it, act on what you say.  Initiating sex can help calm fears that you are not attracted to her new body.
On the other hand, your mom to be might feel super sexy with her new curves, and find the fact that you’ve created a life together a huge turn-on.
Either way, enjoy her fuller breasts and hips.

Get creative

Acknowledge that her body is changing and adapt accordingly. Making a few minor adjustments can ensure a pleasurable experience for the both of you. Positions to consider: with her on top, from behind with her resting in a comfortable position like spooning. Missionary position is out from month five onwards as major blood vessels can be put under pressure by the increased weight of the uterus, and, apart from that, it will be extremely uncomfortable.

But if the doctor says so...

There are some instances in which the doctor would actually advise against having sex, such as a placenta previa, history of early labour or miscarriage, bleeding, dilated cervix or cervical insufficiency. These could be harmful to your baby or to the mommy to be, so it is best to steer clear of sex till the doctor advises otherwise. Find other ways to explore each other’s bodies together, like when you were an exploring teenager.
In conclusion, the best advice that you can get is to communicate. As with all changes, talking and listening your way through it is key. You can overcome anything if you do it together.

Eating Chips While Pregnant Can Cause Underweight Babies: Study

According to new research, consuming large amounts of chips, crisps and biscuits during pregnancy can cause serious health problems for newborns, such as a below average birth weight.

Pregnant moms who consume large amounts of acrylamide, which is found in junk food and coffee, are also more likely to have a baby with a small head circumference.

The size of a newborns head has been linked with delayed neurodevelopment, while low birth weight has been associated with unfavourable health effects in early life and as children grow up.

Babies whose mom’s consumed a high dietary intake of acrylamide were found to be up to 132 grams lighter than babies born to mothers who had a low intake, researchers found.

According to the authors, the average birth weight among children who were exposed to high amounts of acrylamide, compared to children with the lowest was around 100 grams.

These results showed that a high intake of acrylamide had comparable low birth weights found among babies whose mothers smoke during pregnancy.

According to the study, the infant's heads were also up to 0.33 centimetres smaller.

What is Acrylamide?

Acrylamide is a chemical which is produced naturally in food as a result of cooking starch-rich food at high temperatures, such as when baking or frying. It has been found in a wide range of home-cooked and processed foods including crisps, chips, bread and coffee.

"The potential public-health implications of our findings are substantial," the authors said.

"Increases in head circumference are an important indication of continued brain growth, and reduced birth head circumference has been associated with delayed neurodevelopment.

"Reduced birth weight is a risk factor for numerous adverse health effects early in life, and has been associated with multiple adverse outcomes later in life such as reduced stature, increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis."

"These findings provide evidence supporting the need for changes in food production and for providing clear public health advice to pregnant women to reduce their dietary intake of foods that may contain high concentrations of acrylamide."

According to CREAL researcher and lead author Dr Marie Pedersen, "the public-health implications of the findings in this study are substantial.”

Later effects on baby

"Reduced birth weight, in particular low birth weight, has been shown to be related to numerous adverse health effects early or later in life such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Furthermore, reduced birth head circumference has been associated with delayed neurodevelopment."

"This is important new research which demonstrates a clear link between acrylamide and the health of newborn babies,” said Professor John Wright from the Bradford Institute for Health Research, who is leading the Born in Bradford study.

"Our advice for pregnant mothers is to follow a balanced diet and go easy on the crisps and chips.

How to get pregnant ?

Want to know how to get pregnant, or just starting out? You might want to consider the following six tips; it could just fast track the much desired and sometimes evasive, conception.

A check-up before you start

First things first, you need to know if you and your partner’s bodies are in a healthy state. Eliminating all the possible health issues will help you and your partner manage your expectations when trying to conceive and will probably speed up the process of conception. Not to even mention the invaluable advice your doctor can give you. This brings us to the next point...

Start preparing your bodies

For her: The obvious first step is to stop using any form of contraception. Take care to follow tapering down instructions where necessary.

Now purify your body. Remember your body must be a safe haven for your partner's sperm and, when you conceive, it will be your foetus’s  ‘room’ for the best part of a year, so put in some effort. Cut out the alcohol, recreational drugs, and smoking, since these things interfere with fertility and are generally bad for you. Switch over to decaffeinated coffee, or replace it altogether with healthy, caffeine-free tea.  One or two cups of coffee have been linked to a lower chance of conceiving.

For him: your sperm needs to be in tip-top shape to fertilise that special egg. Getting your sperm fighting fit is pretty similar to your partner’s preparations.

According to studies daily drinking can reduce testosterone levels and sperm count and raise the number of abnormal sperm. Same goes for tobacco and recreational drugs.

Sperm is not heat-friendly and should be kept at a couple degrees below body temperature, so avoid the hot stuff like the sauna at the gym, hot tubs and so on.

There are not onlydon'ts, but alsodo's: fill up on lots of nutrients to feed your sperm, get enough rest, exercise, etc.

The sperm-cycle is quite slow, so making these changes now will only show a couple of months later, so get cracking ASAP.

For her: The obvious first step is to stop using any form of contraception. Take care to follow tapering down instructions where necessary. Now purify your body. Remember your body must be a safe haven for your partner's sperm and, when you conceive, it will be your foetus’s ‘room’ for the best part of a year, so put in some effort. Cut out the alcohol, recreational drugs, and smoking, since these interfere with fertility and are generally bad for you. Switch over to decaffeinated coffee, or replace it altogether with healthy, caffeine-free tea. One or two cups of coffee have been linked to a lower chance of conceiving.

For him: Your sperm needs to be in tip-top shape to fertilise that special egg. Getting your sperm fighting fit is pretty similar to your partner’s preparations. According to studies, daily drinking can reduce testosterone levels and sperm count and raise the number of abnormal sperm. Same goes for tobacco and recreational drugs. Sperm is not heat-friendly and should be kept at a couple degrees below body temperature, so avoid the hot stuff like the sauna at the gym, hot tubs and so on. There are not only don'ts, but also do's: fill up on lots of nutrients to feed your sperm, get enough rest, exercise, etc. The sperm-cycle is quite slow, so making these changes now will only show a couple of months later, so get cracking ASAP. 

Find out when you ovulate

The biggest secret in how to get pregnant is knowing when you release an egg from your ovary a.k.a ovulate. During each cycle you release one egg (this is true for most women) and timing sex during those days can be super effective. You can figure out when you ovulate using a few different methods, but one effective tool is our easy-to-use ovulation calendar www.calorababy.co.za/ovulation-predictor. 

When and how to make love

The objective is to have sex during the days before and after you release an egg. To be safe, start three days before ovulation and keep going for a few more days just for good measure. The thing is: sperm can survive for almost a week in your body, while an egg only lasts a day. So if you have sex early in the week, that sperm can last till the end of the week in your body, and fertilise the egg whenever it decides to make its entrance during that week.

Also: keep it fresh – not just the sex, but the sperm too. The best sperm are fresh in the week of ovulation, so ejaculation late in the previous week is advised. As external chemical resources like lubricants and so on could affect conception, keep it natural and organic. 

Stress is the enemy

The rule is simple: the more you stress, the less likely it is to conceive. See, stress messes around with your ovulation – your egg may decide to show up at a different time than usual, or not at all – wasting an entire cycle to get pregnant.  

Okay, now here’s a challenge – don’t stress?! In this day and age stress in unavoidable. However, how you handle it can make a considerable difference in the effect cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’) has on you and your partner’s bodies. Yes, don’t forget that underneath that hard exterior lies a man whose fears are very real too: why is it taking so long? What if I can’t get her pregnant? Will I be a good father? 

You and your partner should be proactive and engage in soothing exercise and simply do things you love. Practising yoga is a great way to bring down your cortisol levels and to increase both external and internal strength – not to mention that there are many classes specifically for pregnant women (or pre-pregnant women) that prepares the body for child birth and keeps mommies fit.  

Myth or not?

Remember the old wives’ tale that the missionary position is the best to conceive? Well, there seems to be some truth in it. Well, not necessarily the missionary position, but certainly lying down afterward, flat on your back. It has now been proven (through studies with artificial insemination) that enjoying that extra 15 minutes on your back could be how to get pregnant. When lying down, you give the sperm a chance to slide its way into the cervix and to your egg – so use gravity to your advantage, and increasing the possibility of conception by 50%. 

So, ladies and gents, enjoy this time of cleansing, bonding, exercising and making love!

Breastfeeding, weight gain and baby’s intelligence linked

Recent studies reveal that higher IQ in your child’s early school years can be predicted by rapid weight gain and increased head size in the first months of her life.

In this study scientist followed newborn babies until the age of six.

According to the University of Adelaide’s School of Population Health, Lisa Smithers, says "Head circumference is an indicator of brain volume, so a great increase in head circumference in a newborn baby suggests more rapid brain growth.”

The newborns were weighed, and their IQs were tested when they were older. It was found that babies who gained 40% of their weight at birth during the first four weeks after birth tested 1.5 verbal IQ points higher than newborns who put on 15% of their weight at birth.

Smithers explains: “This may be because the neural structures for verbal IQ develop earlier in life, which means the rapid weight gain during the neonatal period could be having a direct cognitive benefit for the child.

Stages of pregnancy

First trimester (week 1-week 12)

During the first trimester your body undergoes many changes. Hormonal changes affect almost every organ system in your body. These changes can trigger symptoms even in the very first weeks of pregnancy. Your period stopping is a clear sign that you are pregnant. Other changes may include:

• Extreme tiredness
• Tender, swollen breasts. Your nipples might also stick out.
• Upset stomach with or without throwing up (morning sickness)
• Cravings or distaste for certain foods
• Mood swings
• Constipation (trouble having bowel movements)
• Need to pass urine more often
• Headache
• Heartburn
• Weight gain or loss

As your body changes, you might need to make changes to your daily routine, such as going to bed earlier or eating frequent, small meals. Fortunately, most of these discomforts will go away as your pregnancy progresses. And some women might not feel any discomfort at all! If you have been pregnant before, you might feel differently this time around. Just as each woman is different, so is each pregnancy.

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Second trimester (week 13-week 28)

Second trimester

See how your baby is growing inside of you during the second trimester.

Did you know?

You can do something about common pregnancy discomforts. Learn more.

Most women find the second trimester of pregnancy easier than the first. But it is just as important to stay informed about your pregnancy during these months.

You might notice that symptoms like nausea and fatigue are going away. But other new, more noticeable changes to your body are now happening. Your abdomen will expand as the baby continues to grow. And before this trimester is over, you will feel your baby beginning to move!

As your body changes to make room for your growing baby, you may have:

• Body aches, such as back, abdomen, groin, or thigh pain
• Stretch marks on your abdomen, breasts, thighs, or buttocks
• Darkening of the skin around your nipples
• A line on the skin running from belly button to pubic hairline
• Patches of darker skin, usually over the cheeks, forehead, nose, or upper lip. Patches often match on both sides of the face. This is sometimes called the mask of pregnancy.
• Numb or tingling hands, called carpal tunnel syndrome
• Itching on the abdomen, palms, and soles of the feet.(Call your doctor if you have nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice or fatigue combined with itching. These can be signs of a serious liver problem.)
• Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign of preeclampsia.)

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Third trimester (week 29-week 40)

Third trimester

See how your baby is growing inside of you during the third trimester.

You're in the home stretch! Some of the same discomforts you had in your second trimester will continue. Plus, many women find breathing difficult and notice they have to go to the bathroom even more often. This is because the baby is getting bigger and it is putting more pressure on your organs. Don't worry, your baby is fine and these problems will lessen once you give birth.

Some new body changes you might notice in the third trimester include:

• Shortness of breath
• Heartburn
• Swelling of the ankles, fingers, and face. (If you notice any sudden or extreme swelling or if you gain a lot of weight really quickly, call your doctor right away. This could be a sign ofpreeclampsia.)
• Hemorrhoids
• Tender breasts, which may leak a watery pre-milk called colostrum (kuh-LOSS-struhm)
• Your belly button may stick out
• Trouble sleeping
• The baby "dropping", or moving lower in your abdomen
• Contractions, which can be a sign of real or false labor

As you near your due date, your cervix becomes thinner and softer (called effacing). This is a normal, natural process that helps the birth canal (vagina) to open during the birthing process. Your doctor will check your progress with a vaginal exam as you near your due date. Get excited — the final countdown has begun!