Child Genius

Oh, I didn't know that about the spellings! I think in previous runs of the show, they had been allowed to ask the meaning of the word, but that didn't happen this time, which is more understandable if they had seen the list already.

I agree, in that case it was just another memory test, whereas a good speller will make use of other cues such as meaning and context, etymology, phonics, patterns and "rules", etc.

I was surprised to find out that the spellings they were asked( really obscure words , half of which I had never heard of) were from a pre given list of 400 which they had all swotted up. Why not ask random spellings which are unprepared? Better test of general knowledge then rather than memory then

Watching Child genius got me thinking about the concept of `genius` . The children are obviously very intelligent but is it not more to do with their ability to memorise ? Would problem solving be a better indication of so called genius ? I have one son who may have done well on this programme but he is on the Autistic spectrum and admits he would rather have social skills !

I agree ++ with those who don't like it.
What bothers me most is the probable inability of the losers, emotionally immature, to cope with their 'failure'.
I think it's cruel.
Other things I don't like but that's the most upsetting.

You are right devongirl - Rahul's behaviour was more mature and balanced than his father's. It was a pity to see that he kept a distance from other children - again parental influence it seems, but he did come across as a nice person.

I taught a boy once whose father had told him 'winning is all that matters' and he got so distressed on Sports Day when he didn't win a race - even if he came second! He also had a very inflated view of his own abilities - had had it drummed into him that he was 'the best' and often repeated this like a mantra - this really put other children's backs up and left him isolated amongst his peer group - very sad. But if you met the parent you could see why the child was as he was. He was actually a really lovely little boy, but made so vulnerable in life because of the way he was being brought up.

*point

Actually I disagree that Rahul will end up a not-very-nice adult - on the contrary, I was struck by his humility, there was absolutely no whooping or lording it over other competitors at any poit, as far as I can remember.

I did find this compelling tv, but must admit I don't approve of it really. Rahul was obviously perfectly confident but some of the children seemed very unhappy and I cannot understand why their parents put them through this.

I guess this must come under the banner of 'guilty pleasure viewing' for me because some of the parents and children are awful. It is very evident that some parents want the 'win' for their own self-esteem and in every series there are some who try to justify the pressure they are applying and neglect to affirm their children, whether they 'succeed' or not in the competition. But there are also some parents who are delightful and balanced and have managed to produce apparently lovely children.

To me the programme gently holds the mirror up and leaves us to our own thoughts about it. I always hope that parents will watch it back and those that need to might see themselves with fresh eyes and learn something positive from the ones who are nicer!

We can but hope for Rahul and his family ...

I heard on the radio that Rahul's father clapped when another child got something wrong. Definitely child abuse.

Not a programme I would want to watch because I hate to see children, who do not want to be there, very distressed.

Here Here. I think Rahul will end up as a very lonely adult and perhaps not a very nice one.

I so wanted nice Joshua to win - he seemed such a pleasant lad, and was dressed like a normal boy. Poor little Rahul is being turned into a performing seal, a little automated mannikin devoid of normal social skills or reactions. I know which one I think will end up a happy, well adjusted, successful adult!

I agree with a lot of this but TBH previous series have had much more obnoxious parent, and children too! Personally I'm not keen on the girl who reached the final because she was horrible to the 2 Asian sisters when they were having problems - smacked of racism to me...

My first quiet day after a two week holiday filled with time away and then lots of family visits ... Today I have had an absolute doss day (LOVELY!!!) and caught up with this programme and then also watched a couple of episodes of series 2 (series 1 doesn't seem available) on 4OD.

To me this really is a fascinating study in parenting and how people view 'success'. Interestingly, in the earlier series, families are followed up and there seemed a bit more concern (for the camera?) about children's well-being.

As for Rahul and family ... sigh ... I thought it very sad that he did not seek to interact and make friendships with the other children, regarding them as 'opposition'. I couldn't decide if it would be a blessing if he lost the final - a chance for him to grow more as a 'whole' person through dealing with defeat, or if his father would have made him feel an abject failure...

I liked the one who entered himself. I would love to have seen his answer to the question about "What's it like living with a gifted child"

Poor little Rahul, he is his fathers robotic clone and will grow into his double more s the pity, diabolical pushy man

How I'd hate to work in his fathers (Rahuls) office next week and be one of his collegues smugg does not discribe the man.Well done to the little girl who stated that she was the "only girl" child genius who got into the final such a well grounded child.

I am not surprised Rahul won. His dad's behaviour is awful. He even took the trophy off his son and hekd it up as if he had won it.

Can't bear him he brings out the worst in me Just switched on out of curiosity and saw his look every time the other little boy scored a point uggg

Rahuls father is unbearably smug.

GS1 has been watching it and apparently isn't impressed by most of the parents. He thinks the competition puts too much importance on memory and thinks problem solving ability is more important. Of course he has got an exceptionally good memory himself and may think it's something we can all do quite easily.

I don't think it's any more abusive than any other contest involving children. DD put up with a lot of criticism, which many might have considered abuse, from the age of eight when she was a gymnast. And of course devastating disappointments when things went wrong, but she would have been appalled if we'd suggested giving up.

Obviously some of the parents are complete basket cases, the American and Asian ones always seem to be the worst. The Brits seem to be a bit more laid back. I'm not convinced that pushing their child's intelligence is necessarily going to make them more successful in life. I've known some very clever people who have really been very functional as adults.

I see an old man in a child's body in Rahul
I saw a trailer and a little girl asked if she could please leave as she couldn't answer the questions she was sobbing and so embarrassed I do think it's abusive I m glad I m not the only one that thinks like that

Have watched it in the recent past, and feel the same as Ana the parents deserve six of the best!

I agree if Rahul doesn't win his dad will be devastated! Having said that Rahul is quite a character and seems to be enjoying the process!

I have watched some of the series this time,I have always shyed away from it in previous years as I don't like this kind of pressure on youngsters they have enough to contend with.
There is one parent inparticular who looks as if he will need a difibulator (SP) if his child doesn't win tonight,I will have to watch it now just to see the outcome.