FREE Subscription
The World’s Most Popular Natural Health Newsletter   
 
 
POSTED BY
December 06 2007
66,250 Views

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

2-Year-Old Knows Geography Better Than 97% of Population

When you consider that 80 percent of American families did not read or buy a book in 2006, and 70 percent of U.S. adults haven’t visited a bookstore in the last five years, it is very refreshing to see someone as bright as Lily -- and she’s only 2 years old!

In an era where two-thirds of Americans aged 18 to 24 still cannot find Iraq on a map, this adorable 2-year old who can not only identify Canada and the United States, but also Zimbabwe, Fiji, Saudi Arabia, China, and dozens and dozens of others, is really amazing.

I would be curious to find out what this tiny genius eats on a regular basis, and what her mother ate while she was pregnant. It’s well-known, for instance, that the omega-3 fat DHA can make your kids smarter, as can breastfeeding, which has been shown to boost babies’ IQs.

Of course, in this case it seems that an active, involved set of parents also encouraged this toddler to use her brain instead of planting her in front of a TV -- something I would encourage you to do with your kids as well.


Did you find this article interesting?  Interesting Not Useful
Community Comments ( 29 )
Comment on this Article
  
  
Aaltrude
[ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on November 19, 2007 ]
12 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
I wonder if Lily has been vaccinated!!!
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Russ Bianchi
[ Joined on 09/06 ]  [ Posted on November 19, 2007]
5 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

I wager NOT on the vaccination question.

Mercola
  
Aaltrude
[ Joined on 04/07 ]  [ Posted on November 19, 2007]
5 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Yes Russ, I suspect she hasn't been vaccinated.
  
  
DizzyIzzy1
[ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on November 19, 2007 ]
9 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
Bless her heart, what a beautiful girl!!

I really hope she gets all the love and all the help she's going to need to get along in the education system when she gets a bit older... as someone who was reading at a 7 year old's level by age 3 I know how difficult it can be to find yourself thrown into a system where you're expected to conform, and where teachers aren't trained to deal with 'anomalies' such as this sweet little thing. Her parents sound fantastic though, I'm sure she'll be fine!!

 I love how she's still such an innocent little toddler like any other, no idea of how special she is. The human mind is such an amazing thing, if only people could learn to nurture kids like Lily - imagine the wonderful things that would happen!
 [ Reply ]
  
  
Russ Bianchi
[ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on November 16, 2007 ]
7 Points        
   
 
Savvy User

Lily has a better knowledge of geography than most working at the US State Department!

Apologies in advance to Lily's parents, if they interpreted this post, as an insult to such a low common denominator of comparison  (US State Department)...

Maybe Lily can be a technical advisor in the Ron Paul administration?  OK, we'll allow play and nap breaks for her.

;-)

Uncle Russ
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
EQ
[ Joined on 03/07 ]  [ Posted on November 19, 2007]
7 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
She'd be a wonderful negotiator.  Everyone would melt with her cuteness.
  
  
VictoriaJohnson
[ Joined on 12/07 ] [ Posted on December 5, 2007 ]
6 Points        
   
 
Novice User

wow! thats my neice! i was shocked to see her on here. ive watched her on youtube and saw her on rachael ray and 20/20 but i didnt expect to see her in my weekly  mercola letter! :) way to go lilly!  Love - you're aunt victoria. :)

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
AuntyPaula
[ Joined on 10/06 ]  [ Posted on December 16, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Aunt Victoria, Can you tell us anything about her diet, or her mom's diet as Dr. Mercola mentioned that he was curious about.

Home school might be a great option for her, seeing how far ahead she is already, and how her parents are encouraging her to learn.

Beyond that, we do wish her all the best. May she go on to make a great contribution to her own corner of the world and beyond...

  
  
sarazoom
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on November 21, 2007 ]
4 Points        
   
 
Novice User
Yes, she IS adorable. However, I couldn't bear to hear them say "Good Girl" one more time. I had to turn off the volumn.  It was like she was a trained seal.  Did you see them slip her a fish part with every correct answer? 
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Masonsmama
[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on December 6, 2007]
3 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

I agree. I only use "good" job with my son on rare occasions, like when he listens when you can see he would rather not. I truly believe that we over use "good" with children. But, then I'm a RIE woman myself. On one level I think it's amazing that this little girl knows so much geography, but only if it was her interest to begin with... at this age. When left to just be, children learn a great deal on their own without being "taught"... and they get to find out what they like... not what we adults think they should like.

  
  
chirocheer
[ Joined on 08/06 ] [ Posted on November 18, 2007 ]
3 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
The human brain is so incredibly amazing.  We underestimate its power.  Do we dumb-down society, and especially our children?  What a testimony Little Lily is:)
 [ Reply ]
  
  
entombed32
[ Joined on 12/07 ] [ Posted on December 6, 2007 ]
2 Points        
   
 
Novice User

Though extremely impressive, in a way it is also sad that a child this young has been hammered full of this information.  I hope she doesn't become one dimensional or spiteful in later years.  Your only a kid once...I have a similar outlook as sarazoom does I think.

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
drgarry
[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on December 6, 2007]
5 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola

On the contrary, kids like these (mine included) learn this info almost effortlessly, without having anything "hammered" into them.  They just love learning.  Please don't make the shallow and erroneous assumption that such kids are "sad", "one dimensional", or forced to memorize.

  
  
Karen D.
[ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on December 6, 2007 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Apprentice User

colefamily, I‘ve switched to this Omega 3 supplement for my family http://www.water4.net/. My daughter is vegetarian, so fish oil wasn‘t acceptable to her. And as they say on their website "Omega-3, EPA & DHA doesn‘t come from fish, it comes from algae, the food they eat." It‘s organically grown.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
colefamily
[ Joined on 01/07 ] [ Posted on December 6, 2007 ]
1 Points        
   
 
Novice User

My husband and I both take fish oil daily to get our Omegas as well as consume flaxseed. However, I was wondering if there is any risk of harming an unborn child due to mercury in the fish?  I have hunted around and I have not yet found any fish oil that is mercury free.  Does anybody have any information on this?

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Masonsmama
[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on December 8, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Dr. Mercola offers krill oil... an uncontaminated source

Mercola
  
AuntyPaula
[ Joined on 10/06 ]  [ Posted on December 16, 2007]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

colefamily...I believe that Carlson's brand Cod Liver Oil is "Heavey Metal Free". Check the lable.

There is another excellent source of Omega-3 oil, Sacha Inchi Oil. It is a seed oil from South America, and the highest in Omega-3 that is available. It can be found at Dr. Al Sears website under his trademark - Primal Force Supplements. He recomends taking it along with Cod Liver Oil as they each have their own health contributions.

Dr. Sears is someone whom Dr Mercola mentions in relation to his exercise program.

Flax seed oil is not tolerated by everyone. It works for some, but not for others.

(I am not afilliated with the brands mentioned.)

  
  
healthfreedom
[ Joined on 12/07 ] [ Posted on February 16, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

My 3 year old cousin hasn't even been to any school yet and he can read and count and comprehend so much that it would blow anyone's mind away.  I asked his mother how?  It has nothing to do with what he eats.  Well, I'm sure it's a small factor, but she just buys him all of these educational toys that he loves and he sits there all day on them and learns letters and shapes and sounds and objects.  The key is for parents to make kinds WANT to learn more, not to force them to learn.  You can do that by asking them a million questions and answering their millions of questions.  That is one easy thing that parents can do and don't.  Most parents are too busy or too lasy to hang out with their kids.  Whether you toss your kids in front of a tv or even a healthier alternative, out in the backyard, you still don't have someone there really challenging your child's mind.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
Nowmom
[ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on February 16, 2008 ]
       
   
 
Novice User

I have a very smart 4 year old who had age two as well new any geography I could teach him.  However, I would still have to agree to some extent with Masonsmama about  the importance of letting children learn on their own.  I soon realized the importance of this after seeing what was motivating my sons learning and also doing some research and learning about some of Rudolf Steiners philosophies.  Not to say there is no room for teaching and I don't regret having spent the time with my son teaching him Geography, but I do see the difference in his self- confidence and ability to make himself content now that I'm aware of his need to learn things on his own and self motivate.  It's about supporting his wholeness not just his ability to learn what is put in front of him and memorize.  I did breast feed him until his toddler years  and of course always made sure he ate wholesome foods and set strong healthy eating habits from day one but I also let him eat the occasional not so healthy food if it's time appropriate instead of totally restricting him at the cost of him feeling self conscious.

 [ Reply ]
  
  
T_rex
[ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on December 7, 2007 ]