3-y-o delights with prodigious memory, spelling prowess

ASIA, Manchester:

From as early as age one, little Jullania Morris began exhibiting behaviours that caused her mom to pay keen attention to significant advancements in her development.

As she grew older, Stacy-Ann Thomas started recognising how well her daughter was able to recall information she came across up to two months earlier and how she broke words into syllables before spelling and reading them.

By the age of two, Jullania was able to spell more than 50 words effortlessly, read at the K3 level, and identify the prime minister and other local political leaders by name. She could also identify the country’s national heroes, national symbols and identifying brands, among a host of other information, according to her mother.

“[When] she was about one year and nine months, we went somewhere and interacted with some persons and she was able to tell me everything about the encounter. At age two, no matter what I taught her, the next few days, weeks and months – and up to now – she still remembers. As a matter of fact, from she could learn to clap, she was taught letters of the alphabet and numbers,” Thomas told The Gleaner.

Recognising that her daughter memorised lessons well, the mother of two, with one on the way, said she began helping Jullania to explore more difficult words.

“I knew she was special, but somehow it didn’t surprise me because I was like this as a child. I didn’t study for an exam. I just went in, reviewed the paper, and wrote the answers. I had the brain, but I didn’t get the push I needed because my parents never had it and some things were not as important to them … . That’s why everything I do is to ensure that my children do well,” Thomas said.

On The Gleaner’s request, Jullania started spelling words without hesitation.

“J-U-L-L-A-N-I-A,” she said, spelling her name.

She followed up with “C-O-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y”, ending with a hilarious request for a “banger phone” inside her mother’s purse.

The young girl quickly gave credit to her mom when asked who taught her to spell and confirmed that she is ready to be enrolled in school.

“Andrew Michael Holness,” she said, when asked who was the prime minister of Jamaica.

“Black, green and gold”, “blue mahoe”, and “ackee and salt fish”, the three-year-old responded when asked who was the prime minister, what the colours of the national flag are, and what the national dish of Jamaica is.

Having missed out on the opportunity to complete her secondary education, Thomas said that her ultimate wish is that her children are educated up to the tertiary level and are able to achieve their dreams.

“I never got to follow through with my education beyond high school, but I have plans to be certified in food and beverage at the HEART/NSTA Trust. I have already started the process. Everything I do is for my children … ,” she told The Gleaner.

Thomas is seeking assistance to help her daughter realise her full potential.

“Persons who are interested in helping my daughter educationally, financially, in whatever way with accessories that are needed for a child, it would be greatly appreciated. Whatever is given, I will be grateful,” she said.

Constable Yvette Graham, who is attached to the Asia Police Station, who shared a video of the budding genius on social media, said she would love to see Thomas and her children, who have been a part of her extended family for years, receive help.

“Stacy used to work for me. She used to help me out domestically before she had her first daughter and her daughter’s dad was like family … . She would come to my house on many occasions, and after that, she became a part of the family … . I am hoping Jullania gets a wonderful education and, at the very least, basic stuff. They do need a lot of help, more than I can give.”

tamara.bailey@gleanerjm.com

How you can help

To assist Stacy-Ann Thomas and young Jullania, call Constable Yvette Graham at (876) 574-4433.