To feel sorry for some of the children on Child Genius?

[Laymizzrarb]

I felt so sorry for Aaliyah when she made a mistake. She looked totally crestfallen. And the mother wasn't helping, telling the cameras her child had made a 'stupid mistake' . She's a little girl for goodness sake.

But if the little pianist got through using a hack i.e, just memorise the first 12 cards, is your success because you have a shortcut, or because you are the truly the brightest child? Whilst you may not call it cheating as such, are deluding yourself as to your child's true capability?

I have just seen this weeks programme, Tudors parents are absolutely shameful. Even the other children were reassuring him, when his parents should be, absolutely appealling. even Alliayhas mum wasn't so bad, they take the biscuit.

I still want to know HOW they chose the final 20. I find it hard to believe those twenty are the absolute cleverest (or best performing, which is what it comes down to with nerves/pressure etc) of all those who applied. In last year's thread somebody mentioned screen tests and stuff, does that mean they partly select on charisma/back story etc rather than raw score?

The girls' parents should take them out for a decent haircut and some age appropriate clothes (i.e. 12 years, not 120). How are these children ever going to be able to relate to their peers?
Agree about Tudor and Hazelle's parents. The way Tudor anxiously looked up to his dad in the audience, on getting a wrong answer, was heartbreaking. What an unhappy little boy he looks.
Just don't get me started on Aliyah's parents. An American psychologist friend of mine also counsels her own children using her 'doctor' name. Bonkers.

Bloody hell, Tudor's mum couldn't even crack a smile

I think the logic round really sorted the naturally clever children from those that had been hothoused.There was no way really of preparing for it.The questions were really not difficult at all and exposed many of the children as overcoached mediocrities.

I would have strong reservations about these shows. Imagine finding out when you're an adult that you were the subject of discussion and debate what would that do to you? That's not a criticism of posters here just to be clear, these children's parent's chose to put them in the spotlight. Once you do that you can lose control of the situation. People will view the programming form opinions and discuss them as we are doing here.

I wonder how many gave consideration to that. Even if the children are OK with being filmed they may feel differently in time. I'm thinking especially those who were focussed on the most and who had huge expectations of doing well. Some have left the competition disappointed and we've seen their reactions beamed into our homes. I wouldn't underestimate the potential future issues that could emerge.

On the topic of psychologist parents, well I know plenty of those. Most psychologists I know are smart and level headed people and pretty grounded.
I can't imagine any of them encouraging their kids to take part in such a programme or taking them to have sessions of "therapies" that are not evidence based.

I agree totally, microcosmia. I don't think there is any way that those children can give properly informed consent and so the whole set up is utterly unethical.

Aliyah and her step dad seemed to have a lot of fun together.I can in a way see her mum's pov that there is no point entering if you don't give it 100%.
she was scary though!!