It refers to a stimulus (sign stimulus, releaser) that is adequate to activate an (innate) releasing mechanism. A key stimulus represents a behaviorally meaningful object by a few characteristic features. The term “key” stimulus is based on the idea that the releasing features are analogous to a key which opens a lock.

Sign stimulus Sign stimuli are often found when observing a fixed action pattern (FAP) that is an innate behaviour with very little variance in the manner in which the actions are executed.

sign stimulus (releaser) The essential feature of a stimulus, which is necessary to elicit a response. For example, a red belly (characteristic of courting male sticklebacks) is the sign stimulus necessary to provoke an attack from a rival male; even a very crude model fish is attacked if it has a red undersurface.

The purpose of learning is about learners being prepared for their future and reaching their fullest potential as lifelong learners. This means that they have a voice with the confidence to express their ideas and opinions so they are heard and taken into account in any situation.

The connecting points between neurons, called synapses, are where learning is thought to occur. Learning and memory require the coupling of information from many different brain regions. This activity alters the physical structure of myelin, the insulating material surrounding the wiring that connects neurons.

In fact, scientists have found that the brain grows more when you learn something new, and less when you practice things you already know. But with practice, they can learn to do it. The more a person learns, the easier it gets to learn new things – because their brain “muscles” grow stronger.

Good nutrition is important, because brain growth—like the growth of the rest of the fetus’ body—is influenced by the quality of a pregnant woman’s diet. Alcohol and cigarettes should be avoided, because these can impair the formation and wiring of brain cells.

Here are 20 ideas for fun and simple things you can do to boost your baby’s IQ.

1. READ A BOOK. Your child is never too young to be read to, says Linda Clinard, a literacy consultant and author of Family Time Reading Fun.
2. CUDDLE AWAY.
3. SING.
4. MAKE EYE CONTACT.
5. NARRATE YOUR DAY.
6. USE THE RIGHT TONE.
7. COUNT ALOUD.
8. POINT YOUR FINGER.

However, one of the signs of an intelligent child is that they can focus on a task for long periods at a very early age, usually before six months old. For example, you might see your highly intelligent five-month-old focussing intently on playing with wooden blocks without getting distracted.

Your little one may be especially likely to fight naps if she feels she’ll be missing some exciting activities (like playtime with older siblings) or if she’s going through a bout of separation anxiety and doesn’t want to be left alone in the crib.

Other medical studies have found no relationship between intelligence and a baby walking early. The Swiss National Science Foundation performed a study in 2013 to try to find a relationship between early walking and intelligence, but they found no correlation between the two.

A key sign of giftedness in infants is the need for mental stimulation. In fact, it is not unusual for gifted babies to get fussy and even start to cry if they aren’t provided constant stimulus.