Child Genius anyone??

[Allthingspretty]

should be interesting

Hmm. I can't help but question the judgement of parents who simply can't find a school in this country to cater for their precious little darlings. He didn't even strike me as being that clever - just very full of himself!

Hopefully he will take something useful away from the experience. And perhaps his mum will too.

Can't help but judge all the parents for putting their kids into a contest like this. Some of them may have done it for the benefit of the children, I suppose, but I can't really see how it helps the kids tbh. I think most of it is about parents living vicariously through their children, and having something to boast about.

Hugo was fab? No he was disruptive and annoying.

Disclaimer: I know none of the kids names...

But I was thinking that the majority just seemed to be bright, very smart but completely run the family because of their 'superiority'. The boys more than girls though! They seem to be eldest/only children - is that because their parents are blown away by their 'little people' and focus so strongly on them?

There's a large gap between a fantastic brain and a bright child hothoused within an inch of their life. The maths boy (that family party was like a maths convention!) is a genuinely smart boy and he seems focussed. His mum's a but smug (but then, she has cause I suppose, although it seems genetics is the main factor here). He seems a nice kid.

I don't understand how the ratjer annoying kid (Leo?) had such a high IQ but did poorly in the tests which are compiled by the High IQ society. So is he smart then, or not so? He will be pushed by his doting parents whatever, and I suspect the poor kid doesn't have many friends (his own age). When a parent talks about changing and changing and changing again schools to 'fit' their child I wonder if its the child and not the school that doesn't 'get it'. This thought has obviously never crossed their mind.

Train boy is like a firework - in his own world and out of control. I quite liked him last week - this week he came across as smug, wilful and controlling. I can't see him having much of a relationship with his little brother when they get older (he is completely in his shadow - I've never heard him utter a word!). His (and some of the other) parents really need to work out some control techniques or this kid will rule the family (even more). I'm sorry he went through, I thought the disruption of the other kids was not on. Who leaves a classroom of kids alone for an hour anyway?! I was sorry for Rosa (the girl in tears?).

Does MENSA not work with parents to help them bring up 'rounded' kids and not little attention-seeking monsters? Not that all the kids were, but some definately were 'challenging'.

Remembering cards? That's hard! I can't remember my shopping list! (Says the woman who had a lengthy discussion with another mum about her son, before realising that this was another child completely - she has a daughter and the boy was another kids brother - doh!).

Why were so many of them middle class/upper middle class? (But didn't see all of second episode - so may have this wrong.)

Surely true genius occurs irrespective of social status.

Or are the really, really clever dc in state primary schools not identified as such?

Makes you think that this is more about pushy parents than raw talent ifyswim

Superfluous - of course it is. The programme is as much a critique of parenting methods as it is a celebration of the child.

Not sure - it's got to be in there to start with (silk purse, sows ear and all that)!

Some parents are just more focussed on 'intellectual' things - so take their kids to museums, galleries, read lots to them.. And some don't. Not sure if its a 'class' thing or not. I'm not sure if the whole 'working class wordk/education ethic' thing still exists. I did in my parents' day. Even my dotty grandma was always in the library, planning trips and reading about history. My dad was bloody bright and went to a state school (mind you, this was in the 30s.

I was on a bus the other day and the woman next to me started gabbing about her kids - she was planning a family visit so I suggested maybe the museums or Southbank, kids film at the Barbican, British Library (so fairly cheap/free stuff). She said no. She'd never taken her kids to a museum, galleries were 'boring', they didn't like books (and hated school). They were going to go to the local 'eat all you can for £5 buffet, then off to Westfield shopping centre. Not exactly stimuating for the kids, but that's her choice.

Yes, there were some obviously stand-out bright children, like the lovely Indian girl and the maths prodigy (although maths genius obviously ran in latter's family)

But why did none of the dc appear to come from (for want of a better description) a Peckham housing estate for example?

Perhaps I shouldn't be surprised/am being naive...but can't bear the thought of all that potential talent being missed/going to waste

I'm not particularly surprised that parents are mostly highly educated academic types, themselves. There's both nature and nurture at work, there.

Rosa's family weren't overtly MC. They'd worked hard and their house was detached, but not a character property and not in great repair. I want to be invited round for dinner, though - that food looked absolutely delicious.

DS1 likes shopping. Particularly when there's lego or CDs involved. He's bloody good at maths, but not in Oscar's league, by any stretch, and he's learning how far his money will stretch (or not) and picking up a few (much needed) social skills along the way. We have lots of books, though, and do visit the odd museum.

these kids might be brainy but it will not do them any favours if they are friendless and shunned; Both Leo and Hugo were in my view outrageously rude and completely selfish - constantly referring to 'stupid' people and 'normal' people - WTAF? and this is actively encouraged by their parents. The future for narcissistic egomaniacs is sadly not a bright one.

And really, where is the value in memorising a whole deck of cards?
Some of the children seemed more grounded and ordinary - the ones with nice parents who aren't utter control freaks.

And to the parent who appears on the opening credits stating "my child could speak fully formed sentences at the age of 8 months " - you liar. I just don't believe you!

I found it all a bit sinister. Yet I think of all the rediculously pushy, tiger parents at ds's school and how thrilled they would be if their kid was on that circus of a show.

I know Hugo behaved badly. At least the family went skiing and he had interests other than cramming whether forced to by parents, or not. I'm not forgiving his behaviour though - "where's your other sock?" "in your FACE..." little shit.

As someones said, I have never been more grateful for my average child who behaves well, has loads of friends and is involved in lots of other, non academic, stuff.

From what I have seen of Hugo I would be hugely surprised if he is not on the autistic spectrum somewhere, he is just like DS who can be obnoxious and rude if he is wound up or upset. I thought Hugo's social skills were very lacking. He showed no ability to empathise and his social imagination seemed poor.

I pity his parents because life with a child like that is hard.

I want to see the video of a baby of 8 months talking!

FWIW my father was brought up in a housing scheme in deepest, darkest Glasgow, excelled at school, went to uni, got a first, loads more professional qualifications and awards. As did all his brothers. He didnt grow up thinking of 'normal' people as lesser beings, or with dreadful manners though!

So it's not a 'class' thing, although I do think the family's attitude to education and learning helps a smart child.

I haven't done the thirteen years medical training to qualify as a psychiatrist but I am pretty sure you can be naughty and very bright but not on the spectrum

Some kids Hugo's age are a bit full on and naughty. He is being filmed and the attention probably isn't helping. He is quite naughty though

I think you can indeed be naughty,n right and not on the spectrum, however, it's the way Hugo says things which seem totally off the cake which reminds me of DS who IS on the autistic spectrum.

The programme is very heavily edited and perhaps there are hours and hours of footage where he does none of the things we are picking up on here. What I have seen of the edited programme makes me suspect he is on the spectrum though. A little professor with few social skills, probably plays with other children but I doubt he has any true friends.

"Off the cake"....[damn predictive text). I meant "off the scale"

I prefer the expression 'off the cake' myself...

I wonder if all the focus on Hugo in the programme and (hopefully) the editing to make him look unpleasant is because he actually wins the competition?! Good for the ratings to have a "character" in any series. Anyone remember Nasty Nick from the first Big Brother?

I am sure I heard Hugo muttering something about his Mum not being so nice when the cameras are not around. Along those lines anyway. So whilst they (and particularly the Dad I think) came across as completely ineffectual, it may be that they simply chose not to discipline in front of the camers (whether or not that was a good move given how it came across).

I really hope the program is heavily edited

It does all come across as a bit strange and exploitive.

I used to love watching the American Spelling Bees where some kids were drilled for hours and hours and hours. There were some very peculiar parents on it.

Yes mummypigs. I was recently observed for someone's course work and I was a different parent to normal. Loads more performance parenting.

And when Leo's dad told him off it was awkward but I recognised a very normal parenting outburst.

I suppose most kids would come across as irriating and little pains if filmed - not just super-smart ones! I wonder how they will adjust to their teenage years.

Also they must be mindful of the fact their kids will see this and self censor as a result.

I agree with Jakebullet. I haven't done 13 years training either but I have got 17 years first hand experience.

I exect come of the behaviour is exaggerated - either by the presence of the cameras, the excitement of the competition or the production bods spying some mildly eccentric behaviour and encouraging them (or giving the kids Sunny D and gummi bears behind their parents backs).

Anyone with kids/experience of kids can see that some of these children do display behaviour that would call for closer attention beyond 'oh X, he's a genius dontcha know'.

One thing that did strike me - some of the kids had no conception of 'other' people (or 'stupid', 'not as smart as me'...) As having skills that they don't. So Hugo (train boy?) Who would/could not study if he didn't fancy it would just dismiss anyone who picked up a book, even if they didn't really want to. I imagine he would dismiss a world class chef, athlete or knitter as 'lame' because he has no interest and can't appreciate the fact that his obession with trains and planes is, to most of us, a bit weird and pointless.