Intelligence & early development

[RoseVase2010]

Facebook is full of people telling me what wonderful things their child can do, the words they can say, their counting, the books they read, their level of comprehension and understanding, how well they sit still and behaved.

None of which my child, who is up to a year older, really does.

Mine is slow to hit his milestones but always makes constant progress, no concerns from HV or nursery.

So does this mean all their children will be brighter than mine?

It's a concept I struggle with, I'm very intelligent but, as you may have guessed, plagued by anxiety. I love my child and think he's the best one ever but I feel sad that he might struggle at school.

I'm being a twat aren't I? I just want him to be really lovely, clever, handsome and good at sport.

Thanks guys!

I know mine is awesome, learns something new every day and is always progressing but sometimes it's demoralising when others 'seem' so far ahead.

I also know intelligence doesn't always result in academic success, his father didn't do well at school but has the most amazing work ethic and earns very good money because he puts so much effort in.

And yes, mine may not be able to count but little old ladies in shops always coo over how polite he is without being prompted!!

OP, try not to worry and definitely take FB with a pinch of salt. I work with children and families and if I had a penny for every parent who has told me their completely average child is "gifted" or "unusually bright" I would be a very wealthy woman. The vast majority of parents are incapable of being objective when it comes to their own children.

Statistically speaking, the most reliable predictor of a child's intelligence is maternal IQ. But even if your DS turns out not to be as academically bright as you are, that doesn't mean he won't be successful in whatever he chooses to do.