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This article was originally published on November 29, 2018. It was updated on February 7, 2021 by Ariane Signer.
All parents like to believe that their baby is exceptionally intelligent, and for some, it is absolutely true! Parents don't always know what signs might indicate that their child has a higher than average intelligence quotient (IQ). In fact, there are several signs that might appear early on in the child's life that point to high intelligence, and some of these signs can even appear shortly after birth. It may seem surprising, but there are many indicators that are present right after birth and throughout the initial months of baby's life that may support that you have a little genius on your hands. While these points are not conclusive, they can definitely indicate that your baby is highly intelligent! With the right stimulus and tools, you can help your young child sharpen their intelligence skills to get them geared up before starting school.
20 Extraordinarily Alert
It can come as a surprise to see just how alert a newborn can be, especially when they are only a few days or weeks old. While all newborns will try to absorb and make sense of their surroundings, some seem to be much more alert right off the bat. These babies who appear to be extraordinarily alert may just end up having a higher IQ. Studies point to a very alert baby, who makes eye contact and seems to always be listening and watching, with having a high IQ. They seem to be able to pay attention, and show a bigger range for perception much earlier, too.
19 Looks Straight At Parents Almost Immediately
When it comes to being alert and having a high IQ potential, one thing really stands out. Being alert is totally normal and positive for any growing baby, even right from birth. But, when that baby is able to make direct eye contact with his or her parents, that is a sign of advanced development at an early age. Babies are born into a world that they will immediately try to make sense of. However, with undeveloped senses, it can be a lot to navigate. If a newborn baby can look straight at his parents, it is a remarkable thing, and a possible sign of a high IQ.
18 Recognizes Faces
Your baby is born with no knowledge of what his parents actually look like. A baby has heard his or her parents while in utero, but never laid eyes on them prior to birth. One sign a baby will have a high IQ, is being able to recognize the faces of close family members early on; mom, dad, siblings, and so on. It may take a bit of time for recognition to set in, but it will become apparent when the baby is looking at someone she actually recognizes. She might even be able to pick out Grandma from a series of photos. Go ahead, and try this one with your little one!
17 Reaches Milestones Early
This is a big one. We all know that babies achieve milestones, such as crawling, walking, and talking, at different speeds. Some reach milestones very early, and some simply take their time. According to The Conversation, studies have shown there to be a correlation between reaching certain milestones early on and heightened IQ. Babies who achieve milestones remarkably fast, even unusually so, may end up having above average intelligence. Now, this does not mean you should push your baby to crawl before he’s ready, just know if he is crawling earlier than others, it simply means he is one smart cookie!
16 Always Wiggling Around
Got a little wiggle worm on your hands?! Let’s face it, almost all babies are wiggly; it is a huge part of newborn life! Some babies, though, tend to be way more wiggly than their same age counterparts. Some may see this as an issue or something that needs to be contained. Absolutely not! A wiggly baby may very well be a very smart baby! This goes along with a need to constantly be stimulated. A high IQ in a baby usually indicates that they are ready to do lots of things, and that might manifest as extra movement and wiggling!
15 Hears More Than One Spoken Language
If you can speak more than one language, it's a great idea to speak to your baby in each language starting as soon as you discover that you’re expecting! Studies have shown that hearing different languages can actually cause the brain to develop at a faster rate, which can ultimately lead to a higher IQ. Knowing more than one language has an array of amazing benefits for your baby, too, with high IQ being just one of them.
14 Sensitive To Certain Smells And Tastes
This may come as a surprise, but there is a correlation with being sensitive to certain smells and tastes, and having a higher IQ. Perhaps it is the senses that are overstimulated in those with high IQ's, or just a quirk of having a high IQ. No matter the underlying reason, there is a definite correlation. If your little one seems to have adverse or adventurous tastes, that can indicate higher than average intelligence. If certain smells turn her away from some foods, that can also be indicative of a very smart child! Pay attention to your baby’s habits, they may be telling you something!
13 Doesn't Get Much Sleep
It might come as a surprise that a baby who doesn't sleep much might actually be highly intelligent, but there does seem to be a correlation. Babies that are able to function on less sleep are possibly gifted with higher intelligence. Getting inadequate sleep and being tired and irritable is not ideal, of course, but your baby might just be extra smart! Some babies are getting less sleep than what is typically recommended, but still achieving milestones and seem to not show signs of crankiness.
12 Baby Is Trying To Talk
If your baby is showing signs of trying to speak earlier than expected, it might indicate that they are extra intelligent. If you think your little one is trying to talk, chances are, she is. This desire to communicate and the ability to begin to form words long before the average speaking age, is definitely associated with a high IQ. Keep speaking to your baby and make sure to read to him or her regularly. The more you interact with words, the more likely your baby will begin to comprehend language, and start to form words of their own.
11 Smart Parents
Intelligence can be hereditary, so if one parent is a genius with a high IQ, baby might inherit that high IQ. If both parents have high IQ's, baby has an even better chance at also having a high IQ. The development of intelligence is part nature and part nurture. Intelligent parents are likely passing on their 'smart genes', but also focusing more on providing structured education at home, from a young age. Stimulating your child's cognitive skills can help to sharpen their natural intelligence. Get those books out!
10 Happy To Play Alone
Those with a high IQ tend to be perfectly content to play and work alone. If your baby seems to be totally fine playing by himself, do not look at it as a downfall. It could very well be an indicator that he has a high IQ! Babies with high IQ's are happy to play with their toys alone as infants and toddlers, and often seek out solitary activities that allow them to use logic and problem-solving skills (puzzles, building blocks etc.;). When they begin to socialize, they may prefer to have one or two close friends as opposed to a large group, and might gravitate to like-minded children.
9 Enjoys Mimicking Sounds
Some babies are more communicative than others, from a vey young age! A baby that has started to make noises early on might just have a heightened IQ. According to Kidspot, a baby that attempts to make noises early on might be highly intelligent, or even 'gifted'. A high IQ may be responsible for these early signs of cognitive awareness. Keep encouraging all of those adorable baby sounds to to support your child's speech development!
8 Extremely Focused
Babies who are able to focus clearly on a task or person might be highly intelligent. The more focused a newborn baby is, the higher the likelihood that he’ll end up with a very high IQ. Early signs of a high IQ in newborns include the ability to focus on making eye contact, focusing on their hands, or focusing intently on a pet, older sibling, or parent. Place colorful toys and images near your baby to give her something to really help sharpen her skills.
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Needs Lots Of Stimulation![]()
Babies who end up with high IQ's are often the ones who have a ton of energy. We have learned that they like to focus on things and that they can also be super wiggly. Well, that all goes hand in hand. These babies with high IQ's need the outside stimulation to satisfy and strengthen their intellectual abilities. They require an awful lot of stimulation. Provide your baby with lots of things that will help to engage his mind. Go for a walk to look at nature. Head the library for story time, or play at home with intensely colored blocks and toys.
6 Hangs With An Older Crowd
Babies who are naturally drawn to older children and adults tend to have higher IQ's. This phenomenon usually occurs when a child is not sufficiently intellectually satisfied with kids of their own age. If your baby is drawn to older siblings or cousins, they are likely highly emotionally intelligent and advanced for their age. Allow them to communicate with older relatives as often as possible to stimulate their curiosity! As they get older, they may prefer to make friends kids who are slightly older, which might provide an additional intellectual challenge.
5 Being Bigger At Birth
What does birth size have to do with high IQ? There does seem to be a correlation between being bigger at birth and exhibiting a high IQ. It's possibly lined to nutrition. The bigger the baby at birth, the more nutrients they received in the womb. Babies that put on physical weight at a faster rate might additionally develop their cognitive skills a bit earlier.
4 Loves Music
Start playing that classical music while your baby is in the womb! Musical babies tend to have higher IQ's. Exposure to many types of music, and especially classical music, can enhance our intelligence. If your newborn glees with delight when you play a tune or sing a song, he might have a high IQ! And, once he gets to be a bit older, if he is drawn to musical toys, that can also indicate a high IQ. Introducing an instrument to your child early on can have some amazing effects on their development.
3 Enjoys Listening To Books Being Read
Babies who are attracted to books and enjoy being read to early on might be more intelligent than average. Stimulating your baby’s mind in any way possible is a great idea, since babies with higher IQ's rely on more stimulation. One of the best ways to do this is by reading books to your baby. You can even start while they are in the womb! You may be surprised as your little genius tries to look at the pictures and seems intently focused on every word you say.
2 Laughs All The Time
A happy baby is a healthy baby, and signs of happiness early on can signify a highly intelligent child. If your baby seems very well adjusted and is just happy all day long, she might just have a high IQ! A nice disposition that include lots of laughter does seem related to babies who end up being very smart with high IQ's. Take pleasure in knowing that as you giggle with your baby, you might actually be helping to stimulate their intelligence.
1 Always Looking Around
If your baby seems to be curious about everyone and everything, it might indicate that they are extra intelligent! A baby who seems to pay attention to everything and everyone could very well be a super smart little one. Babies who really take in their surroundings, even focusing on the smallest details, do tend to be the ones who end up with very high IQ's. Give your baby the freedom to see things. Let them sit up. Go for walks. Bring them wherever you go. Stimulate that high IQ mind!
SOURCES: The Conversation, Stanford University, Kidspot