What happens to child prodigies as adults?

Countless child prodigies lose interest in their area of talent and drop out; others become experts in their area as adults. Prodigies whose parents push them hard, and who expect them to grow up to be stars, may come to the conclusion that being a prodigy was a curse. This is what happened to tennis star Andre Agassi.

Why are kids geniuses?

Nature versus Nurture. The first group of researchers believes that prodigies possess a gentic specialty, whereas the other group is of the opinion that it is due to their family environment and social background that these children become such geniuses.

Why do child prodigies exist?

Very young children with a very slight genetic sensitivity and with exposure to particular skills (art, music, math, etc) and with the opportunity and encouragement for lots of early practice, might become child prodigies.

What makes a child a prodigy?

Prodigies are defined by their childhood ability to perform at adult professional levels in a particular area. Some experts argue that prodigies benefit from years of intense, early practice, usually encouraged by ambitious parents.

Are prodigies geniuses?

The difference between an adult genius and a child prodigy is an important distinction, Prof Winner said. A prodigy is a child who is very precocious in a certain field, mastering a domain that has already been invented, she says. A genius, she believes, is someone who revolutionises a field of knowledge.

What are child prodigies?

These so-called child prodigies are children under the age of 10 who display the skills of an accomplished adult. They usually demonstrate their advanced intelligence in fields that work with narrow parameters and repetition, like mathematics, science, music, and chess.

What is the difference between a prodigy and a genius?

The skill of being a child prodigy is qualitatively different from the ‘skill’ of being an adult creative genius. Countless child prodigies lose interest in their area of talent and drop out; others become experts in their area as adults.

What are the pros and cons of being a prodigy?

You can see it in how he moves as he plays, and how he talks. Maybe Joey will grow up to be a great jazz pianist, but many child prodigies cannot sustain their careers into adulthood. A major downside of being a prodigy is that everyone expects you will grow up to become a genius.

What makes a child a genius?

They usually demonstrate their advanced intelligence in fields that work with narrow parameters and repetition, like mathematics, science, music, and chess. Like the denizens of Garrison Keillor ’s fictional Lake Wobegon — where “all the children are above average” — every parent wants to believe his or her child is a genius.