Child Prodigy

Child Prodigy

Coming into talents and skills varies for individuals of all ages. Some may come into them in their childhood years, while in other cases, in adulthood. Children with given talents and skills tend to stand out, earning their description as child prodigies. According to Shavinina, a child prodigy is a child under the age of 10, exceptionally gifted with skills that are otherwise displayed by a professional in adulthood (29). Consistently, child prodigies are present in numerous fields, including but not limited to music and art. For instance, in music, a well-known child prodigy is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and John von Neumann is a well-known child prodigy in mathematics.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born to a musical family, having a dad who was a professional violinist in an orchestra. His musical talent was evidently displayed at the age of six when he could play the piano and other instruments and compose pieces. Following this turn of events, the family set out on tours as a way to make money, and Mozart was exposed to new and diverse styles, influencing his compositions. In his adulthood, Mozart continued to make money off his creations, such as The Marriage of Figaro, before his death in 1791 at age 35 (Wright 113).

On the other hand, John von Neumann was born to an extended family with a father who was considered a top banker. His unique mind was also revealed at the age of six when he could memorize a lot of content and recite it, enabling him to answer numerous questions (Macrae 20). His family moved a couple of times due to the World War, but his studies were not affected, leading to his significant contributions to the creation of computers. He died at the age of 57 due to cancer.

Accordingly, the two have several differences and similarities. Both were identified as prodigies at the age of three, their fathers’ occupations were linked to their abilities, and their families moved several times, exposing them to different environments. The most significant difference involves their skills; Mozart did not have to go to school to learn to compose or play an instrument, while Neumann went to school to improve his mastery. I feel that being a child prodigy is not advantageous because the children are exposed to more attention and societal pressure they may not be ready for. Also, the outcome of being a prodigy varies, whereby, in some cases, it ensures success, as in the cases discussed.

Works Cited

Macrae, Norman. John Von Neumann: The Scientific Genius Who Pioneered The Modern Computer, Game Theory, Nuclear Deterrence, And Much More. Plunkett Lake Press, 2019, p. 20.

Shavinina, Larisa V. “What Does Research On Child Prodigies Tell Us About Talent Development And Expertise Acquisition?”. Talent Development & Excellence, vol 2, no. 1, 2010, pp. 29-49. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/255634089_What_does_Research_on_Child_Prodigies_tell_us_about_Talent_Development_and_Expertise_Acquisition.

Wright, Craig. The Essential Listening To Music. 2nd ed., Cengage Learning, 2016, p. 111- 113.

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Compare Mozart’s upbringing as a child prodigy with any other famous individual’s similar career path (it may be another musician, an athlete, or someone from any other field, but they must have been recognized as a child prodigy).

Child Prodigy

What may be similar between the two, and what is different? Also, do you feel that being a child prodigy is advantageous or not? Does it ensure success, or are there certain negative aspects to being labeled one?