“We did not know that Diya will make it big with her grasping power until she identified four countries’ names among 45 scattered cards when she was just one year and two months old,” says resident P Thirunavukkarasu, father of T Diya, who recently clinched medal from High Range Book of World Records.
Diya, now four-year-two-month-old, is recognised for telling the names of all 200 countries along with its capital and vice-versa. Her father claims that she is the first to attempt the task in this age category.
Speaking to News Today, Thirunavukkarasu says, “It all started playfully when we bought flash cards that had 45 country names for Diya’s cousins. Using the cards we casually taught Diya the names of four nations and then the next day, she promptly identified these four countries correctly among the other 45 scattered cards. We were pleasantly surprised. This is when we got to know about the talent our child had.”
Soon after that, my wife took up the responsibility of teaching names of various countries and their respective flags to Diya. Within months, the number increased, and by the time she was two, Diya was able to identify more than 100 countries.
Then when she turned three, we started teaching her capitals of countries and along with that she also learnt the State capitals of India. In the beginning, she found the pronunciation of European countries quite difficult, so we took it slow. But now she can tell all 200 countries’ names and their capitals when we flash its flags in front of her.
When I uploaded the videos of Diya, the team from the High Range Book of World Records conducted five rounds of verification and gave her the medal and certificate.
Currently, Diya’s parents are training her to identify country names with its shape to make it into Asia Book of World Records. Her father says that she does it practically. “Even while eating a pappad, she names the country according to its shape,” he chuckles.
What next? “We are planning to make her identify currencies and national birds of all countries,” he states. “We never force her to do anything though. In fact, we realised that if we compelled her, nothing would work out. For instance, if she is not ready, it even takes three to four days for me to just capture a video of her listing the country names. Whenever she feels like learning she does it,” explains Thirunavukkarasu.
NO PHONE, NO TAB
Right from day one, both me and my wife decided not to give mobile phone or tab to our child. We also took an oath of not using it in front of her. This worked to our advantage. Now, even if I use my phone for official work, she insists that I would get eye problem.
Practical learning is her strength. She connects all her learning with practical life. We are proud of her and are blessed to have a supportive family and friends.
Diya can be reached at 99628 24048