Child Prodigies and Exceptional Early Achievers

by John Radford

Book Overview

This is an investigation of the entire area of exceptional early ability which draws upon both historical and contemporary examples of child prodigies. The author demonstrates the varied fields in... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0029256356
• ISBN13: 9780029256350
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 255 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.

Customer Reviews

"I've known a few Idiots & Geniuses, But He may be a Mono-Savant"

"Child Prodigies And Exceptional Early Achievers," John Radford, NY, The Free Press, 1990 ISBN 0-02-925635-6, HC 219 pg. plus 24 pg. Biblio. & 12 pg. Index. 9 1/4" x 6." A prolific author (10 books) & Prof. of Psychol. East London Polytech who researched & wrote on thinking & development, now turned his attention to an accounting of exceptional early ability of extraordinary children variously referred to as child prodigies, child geniuses, & exceptional early achievers (this latter term a favorite of the author), but also makes especial reference to the astonishing performance of exceptional early abilities of young people - most of whom grow up to be gifted adults (a most welcome statement contrasted with "early ripe, early rot" as in case of Wm. James Sidis). The author uses 11 chapters to purvey historical to present-day anecdotal discussions encompassing eugenics, Repository for Germinal Choice in California (sperm donors), notion that genius is next to madness, parental eccentrics, Quiz Kids (James Watson, Nobel prize DNA), teenie-boppers enrolled at Harvard & Columbia, handedness benefit in spatial memory, precocious artists & musicians, idiot & autistic savants & data showing most nobelists come from two areas: Jewish, New York & Protestants, small-town Midwest. Commentary is made on relative contributions of nature vs nuture - with estimates of 20-40% genetic & 60-80% environmental plus a liberal discussion & review of literature on the most significant influences, favorable or otherwise, of early achievers: adverse environmental factors, naive genetic ability & gifted mentors (parent or teacher). The "Gifted" display some characteristics which lead to success, imprima persistence & insight in problem solving (sift out relevants, synthesize unrelated factoids & relate to newly acquired data); & feature global preconscious, specific sets of skills: great ability to store, manipulate & recall & to generate mental representations & to conceptualize complex patterns therein. Noted is age of 1st menses in 1860's was 16-17 & dropped to 13 in 1960's while ht. of 12-year olds increased 1.5 cm. @ decade or total of 5.9" in same period. Also, IQs increases reported elsewhere of c. 2.8% @ decade for 50 years or 14%. based on several variables including intro. of chess at an early age, giving classes on critical thinking, educating mothers in better child-rearing & improved methods of childbirth (less anoxia, etc.). Author notes Japanese schoolchildren 2 years advanced over Western counterparts (greater emphasis on language & sciences; longer school sessions; discipline & pride). Mention also of Akademgorodok, "City of the Gifted", home of Soviet Academy of Sciences (Siberia) where 1,000's of scientists & gifted students live & work, where emphasis is placed on mathematics & physics. A good read, where no technical background is assumed/required.