Bringing out the Genius in Your Child
1. What is a definition of a genius?
It is rather difficult to define genius because it may be very subjective. Traditionally, it includes a person with extraordinary intellectual ability and originality, talent and creative power.
Arthur Schopenhauer quoted that “talent hits a target no one else can hit; genius hits a target no one else can see”. To be more statistically objective, people with exceptionally high intelligent quotient (IQ) > 140 and are among the top 0.1% (3 standard deviation or greater, among peers) are considered genius.
However, history had taught us that people who had make the greatest impact in the world’s history may not necessary have the highest IQ score but who had contributed to the nations and societies based on their talent, creativity and originality. Everyone can be a genius in his/her own way
2. Are geniuses born or made?
The answer is: Both. It takes both nature as well as nurture to be a “tall plant”. Although some people are born with high IQ, but without nurturing with loves, dedication and good nutrients, the best of the best talents and gifts in them will die off and disappear one day. Environment does count.
For example, a child of a Chinese origin being raised up by an Indian family will grow up speaking fluent Indian language instead of Chinese. The ability to speak certain language is not inherited but is dependent on language that the child hears on a daily basis.
Genes are finite, whereas the potential of our brain is infinite. Education, knowledge, learning and experiences will greatly influence the number of new connections of our brain make over a lifetime. What we are born with matters, but what we do with it matters even more.
3. What are the key foundations to bring out the ‘genius’ in your child?
It is important to acknowledge that every child is being born with unique abilities and potentials. Therefore, to bring out the best in our child, the key elements are:
· Parents who believed in their abilities as children and supported them
· Opportunities to develop their own individual gifts and talents
· No sense of any limits being set on their abilities
· Age immaterial, ability is the focus
· Discovery, recognition and appreciation of their abilities by others
· Being in the right place at a right time
“Every one of us blooms at different time and therefore there is no end point on what anyone is capable of achieving in their life time”
4. What are the roles of biology in creating a genius?
The human brain changes tremendously over the course of childhood, creating new neurons in some regions of the brain and trillions of new connections between neurons.
Early childhood experiences especially the first few years of life are critical to the emotional and intellectual development of a child. During these early years, 75% of brain growth has completed. Therefore it is important to seize this opportunity to nurture your most precious one.
5. Does the size of the brain determine whether a child will become a genius?
The examination of Albert Einstein”s brain yielded findings of a larger-than-normal, un-folded parietal lobe, an area of the brain that is usually folded and that is associated with visuo-spatial and mathematical abilities. Did Einstein born with this structure or his brain cells developed and built up over time as he trained and used them throughout his entire life? Although many tests have been undertaken with various results, one may fathom that many factors may be influenced in the brain of a genius, and that no one area of the brain may be responsible for giftedness. Studies of brain by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and McGill University in Montreal have taught us that people with higher IQs do not have larger brains. We can now see that the difference may be in the way or pattern the brain develops and not in sheer brain size or special structure
6. What is the role of life experience in shaping a genius?
Thomas Edison famously quoted that IQ matters only 1% of the time because “genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration”. He dared to fail countless times before he could come out with the “genius” light bulb that changed the history of mankind. He believed that our brain can be developed just the same as the muscles can be developed, the term neuroplasticity of the brain, if one will only take the pains to train the mind to think. Brain development relies on the way the brain is used and stimulated which is our children’s daily activities and environment
7. What can we do to enhance the potentials in our child?
The first few years of life are the most crucial and intensive period for brain development. Therefore, the right nutrition and stimulation can help your child to learn better and grow stronger which are essential for his or her physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth
(A) Give YOUR CHILD a good start – start from GOOD antenatal care
- Eat healthy balance diet throughout your pregnancy. If you are experiencing severe nausea and vomiting especially during the first trimester, do consult your doctor.
- Attend antenatal classes with your spouse at least once during antenatal period to know what to expect and what to prepare for the arrival of your newborn child.
- Have a balance between getting an adequate rest and exercise regularly. Regular exercise and breathing technique will ensure easier delivery.
- Pay a regular antenatal visits to your doctor’s clinic to ensure your child is growing healthily
- Take time to communicate with your unborn child through talking, reading or singing to him/her especially before bed time and encourage your partner to do so.
- Try to avoid strenuous exercise, overwork or handling stressful assignment as stress will have a detrimental effect on your health and the growth of your child.
- Stop smoking and avoid taking alcohol throughout pregnancy as well as after delivery.
- (Smoking appeared to cause a one percent drop in cognitive function)
(B) DURING DELIVERY:
Ensure safe delivery in the hospital set up with good delivery and neonatal support facilities.
(C) AFTER DELIVERY:
World Health Organization (WHO) and World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) strongly recommended full breast feeding for at least 6 months to 2yrs or beyond as breast milk contains vital nutrients that are not only good for health but are essential for overall growth and development. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, October 1999, the nutritional benefits of breast-feeding are associated with at least 3.2 IQ point difference in cognitive development. This enhanced cognitive development seen in as early as 6 months of age and sustained through until 15 years of age.
(D) GOOD FOOD FOR GROWING-UP YEARS
| Nutrients for brain development | Functions |
|---|---|
| Omega-3, omega-6 Arachidonic acid (AA) DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) |
building blocks of the brain cells
|
|
Iron
|
facilitating nerve communication and
production of neurotransmitter
|
|
Choline
|
improve memory, keep brain cells
functioning and assists in nerve transmission
|
| Lutein |
ability to filter blue light and protect the eyes
|
|
Taurine
|
efficient and rapid nerve communication
|
|
Zinc
|
protecting brain cells (anti-oxidant properties)
|
|
Tryptophan
|
Ensuring good night rest in order for the brain to build and consolidate neural connections
|
“All nutrients are essential for growth and brain development and there is no single nutrient that should be particularly emphasized as providing your child with well balanced diet”.
FOOD SOURCES FOR BRAIN NUTRIENTS:
|
BRAIN NUTRIENTS
|
FOOD SOURCES
|
|
Omega-3 fatty acids (Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-6 fatty acids (Linoleic acid – LA).
|
Tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel, cod liver oil, flax seeds, eggs, meat, dairy products, chia seeds, walnuts, sea vegetables, and green leafy vegetables, cold-pressed sunflower, safflower, corn, sesame oils and black currant seed oils.
|
|
Iron
|
Clams, oysters, Liver, mussels, beef liver, beef, shrimp, sardines, turkey
|
|
Choline
|
eggs, fish, legumes (soybeans), grains (wheat), nuts (peanuts), organ meats, lean meat, and vegetables
|
|
Lutein (carotenoids class of yellow to red pigments found especially in fruits and vegetables)
|
spinach, corn and egg yolks, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, corn, beans, peas, peaches, oranges, papayas, apricots and mangoes
|
|
Taurine
|
eggs, fish, meat, milk, seaweed, clam, squid, octopus, and oyster
|
|
Zinc, B-vitamins and folic acid
|
green vegetables, beans, pasta, grapefruits, yogurt, fish and seafood
|
| Tryptophan | Turkey, chicken, beef, brown rice, nuts, fish, milk eggs, cheese, fruits and vegetables |
|
Antioxidants eg: beta-carotene, taurine, vitamin C, Vitamin E and zinc, monounsaturated oleic acid
|
Strawberries, apricots, red cabbage, spinach, sunflower seeds and walnuts, olive oil, oils from almonds, pecans, macadamias, peanuts, and avocados.
|
(8) What are our roles as parents?
– Respect our children and nurture them with love
– Provide right nutrition for healthy growth and brain development
– Give them every opportunity to learn and expose
– Provide safe environment for them to play, explore and learn freely
– Provide them with proper educations
– Teach them good values and moral principles
Prepared by:
Dr Khoo Boo Aik
Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist
Sunway Medical Centre
