Track 11

Unit 2

Child psychology

The genius within

Page 18

Talk about the topic

Parts A and B

You know, the lecture actually reminded me of this idea called the 10,000-hour/10-year rule. Has anyone else heard of it?

No.

Oh, yeah, I have, I have. Is that something like you have to study something or practice something really hard for either 10,000 hours or 10 years to become really great at something.

Oh, that’s encouraging. That means that I just have to study English for another five years to be really good at it?

Well, I have to say, I found it a little surprising that the instructor really didn’t talk about or she didn’t really emphasize that the importance of innate talent is more.

Like talents that we’re born with? I don’t know, for like music and literature, art, science.

Yeah.

I think she actually did cover that, in a way. I think she just wanted to stress the parts of genius that we can control. Kind of like being motivated, being curious or creative when you approach something.

Okay, but you have to acknowledge the innate part is a huge factor. I mean look at Mozart and his innate talent for music or Emily Dickinson and her innate talent for literature. You think anyone can do what they did just by being curious or practicing a lot?

No, you’re right. They have talents but they built on them. I mean, Mozart, he practiced for hours. His father forced him.

So he was born with talent but he had to work really hard to develop it.

Yeah.

Well, speaking of working hard, maybe we should get back into our notes.

Alright, so how do I identify a gifted child?