I think my charge is exceptionally bright.

[Anonymous]

At 7.5 months old, my charge loves being read much older kids' books. She understands (or seems to understand) virtually everything I tell her and can follow direction ("Put nanny's glasses case in her bag", "Show the doggie your truck", "Where are the bear's eyes?"). I haven't had a lot of experience with babies - is her behavior unusual for a baby?

[Anonymous]

Certainly sounds very, very smart to me and i've had tons of experience with babies.

[Anonymous]

It's too young to tell, but I will say that at this stage you shouldn't really be reading her much older kids' books. Even if she likes the flow of the language, you should be reading books that are more interactive ("show me the picture of the fire truck!") or singing interactively (itsy-bitsy spider, wheels on the bus , etc.) or just conversing with her in a way that inspires her to respond with gestures or sounds.

If she IS extraordinarily bright, then the best thing will be to help her become verbal enough to communicate her thoughts and ideas.

I would also follow her interests with things like following directions. If she likes the social aspect of doing as you say, then add more steps (where's your ball? Find it and put in the bowl.") or tur. It around and ask her for directions ("I can't find the ball. Where should I look?")

But at this age a lot is just being really engaged and letting her show you what she wants to work on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's too young to tell, but I will say that at this stage you shouldn't really be reading her much older kids' books. Even if she likes the flow of the language, you should be reading books that are more interactive ("show me the picture of the fire truck!") or singing interactively (itsy-bitsy spider, wheels on the bus , etc.) or just conversing with her in a way that inspires her to respond with gestures or sounds.

If she IS extraordinarily bright, then the best thing will be to help her become verbal enough to communicate her thoughts and ideas.

I would also follow her interests with things like following directions. If she likes the social aspect of doing as you say, then add more steps (where's your ball? Find it and put in the bowl.") or tur. It around and ask her for directions ("I can't find the ball. Where should I look?")

But at this age a lot is just being really engaged and letting her show you what she wants to work on.

OP here - I do read her age appropriate board books and am interactive. But I realized when we were at the library that she was mesmerized by a mother reading a story to her four year old and I was shocked when I tried reading her complex books and she loved them.

I will add more steps to my direction - that was a great suggestion - thank you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's too young to tell, but I will say that at this stage you shouldn't really be reading her much older kids' books. Even if she likes the flow of the language, you should be reading books that are more interactive ("show me the picture of the fire truck!") or singing interactively (itsy-bitsy spider, wheels on the bus , etc.) or just conversing with her in a way that inspires her to respond with gestures or sounds.

If she IS extraordinarily bright, then the best thing will be to help her become verbal enough to communicate her thoughts and ideas.

I would also follow her interests with things like following directions. If she likes the social aspect of doing as you say, then add more steps (where's your ball? Find it and put in the bowl.") or tur. It around and ask her for directions ("I can't find the ball. Where should I look?")

But at this age a lot is just being really engaged and letting her show you what she wants to work on.

OP here - I do read her age appropriate board books and am interactive. But I realized when we were at the library that she was mesmerized by a mother reading a story to her four year old and I was shocked when I tried reading her complex books and she loved them.

I will add more steps to my direction - that was a great suggestion - thank you.

I didn't mean to imply that you were only reading chapter books, but wanted to point out that interactive language has to be the priority. If you don't have much baby experience you have been coming at it from the perspective of "more, more complex words=better," which just isn't true at this age.

[Anonymous]

11:23 here and wanted to add that you sound like a very thoughtful and invested nanny. GL!

[Anonymous]

She certainly does sound very smart. My 9 mo charge can't do those things or even sit thru a baby board book.

Keep your charge engaged and learning (which sounds like what you are doing) and keep offering new vocabulary and specifics (maple tree instead of just tree, pink-rose-flower instead of just flower, etc.).

Have you tried baby sign language? That may be something a very smart baby would really get into.

[Anonymous]

You do sound like a engaging and invested nanny - the fact that your charge can understand your questions means that you have spent a great deal of time talking to her. Good work!

I would caution you in your tone when asking questions. My DB did this with his child and the questions were like quizzes and my charge hated it. To this day, at seven, she hates being asked any question. Keep your tone light and full of discovery rather than demanding and answer your own questions quickly. "Where is the duck? There is the duck!"