A child who prefers books to toys
We all know all toddlers’ fascination with toys but a unique toddler who is more enchanted with books is a rarity, appearing in the India Book of Records. Deeshank Mallikarjuna S, born on June 25, 2020 in Bhadravati Taluk, District Shivamoga, Karnataka, loves to listen and babble out stories. Seeing Deeshank’s talent, India Book of Records has issued him a certificate of appreciation. During the video activity on the basis of which this child was selected, Deeshank showed his ability to remember and understand many things. He answered 5 general knowledge questions, as well as identified many things such as 14 shapes, 11 colours, 39 animals, 16 vehicles, flags of 20 countries, 11 human body parts and 18 vegetables. Apart from this, Deeshank recited few things such as 7 days of the week in English and Kannada, 12 months of the year, counting up to 20 in English, numbers up to 10 in Kannada and 4 rhymes at the age of 1 year and 7 months.
Deeshank’s mother, Ms Deepti, is the administrator of a play way school, where 60 kids are enrolled. Deeshank plays with these kids during the day time. She has so far kept Deeshank away from gadgets like mobile phones or laptops. This child is very fond of books. He reads a lot and looks at pictures. Ms Deepti said that Deeshank started speaking when he was 8-months-old. However, that time every vegetable was a tomato for him. Slowly he started recognizing all the family members. He began to identify animals, birds, and began to recite prayers. Even at such a young age, he used to identify 20 animals.
His father, Shankar HS is in the business of timber and real estate. Apart from Uncle Girish and Aunt Shruti, there are grandparents at home, so Deeshank is never alone. During the lockdown period, most of the children had to be alone due to which their social skills could not be developed. Doctors now recommend taking such children out for social engagement. There was no such problem with Deeshank. In the playway he spends time with his mother and many children, while at home he gets the benefit of being in a joint family. Deepti wants her child to be a good human being and enjoy life to the fullest. Though most things remained closed during the Covid period, Deeshank along with his parents visited a resort and several places of interest in Andhra Pradesh.
Deepti says that many parents do not take children seriously and consider them as too small, while the child is a miniature form of an adult person. Children pay attention to every activity happening around them and learn something or the other from them. Therefore, one should not behave inappropriately in front of children. Children’s brain development occurs in the first six years. An infant begins learning from the womb itself, the story of Abhimanyu is a testament to the fact that he understood the composition of the Chakravyuha even before he was born.