A Los Angeles toddler has become the youngest American member of Mensa, where membership is strictly limited to those who score at the highest levels in IQ tests.
Kashe Quest maybe two years old, but according to her parents, she is skilled at naming all the elements on the periodic table, identifying all 50 states by shape and location, learning Spanish and deciphering patterns.
“She has always shown us, more than anything, the propensity to explore her surroundings and to ask the question ‘Why,’” Kashe’s father, Devon, told CNN. “If she doesn’t know something, she wants to know what it is and how it functions, and once she learns it, she applies it.”
Her family said that her skills developed rapidly as soon as Kashe said her first word. Soon, she was speaking in sentences that contained five or more words.
Their daily observations showed the family that their daughter might be advanced for her age.
Not your ordinary toddler
“Once her paediatrician also acknowledged it, at her 18-month check-up, I let her know where Kashe was on her number shapes and colours and wanted her perspective on all of it, and she said it was amazing. It’s something worth looking into.” Kashe’s mom, Sukhjit, told CNN.
So they took her to a psychologist, who administered the Mensa test. The result? Kashe had an IQ of 146, according to her parents.
To join Mensa, applicants must score at or above the 98th percentile on a standard intelligence test.
“I think the biggest takeaway from us doing it was that we wanted to make sure we were giving her everything she also needed in terms of her development, natural curiosity, and disposition, and we wanted to make sure we did our part in making that happen for her,” her mother said.
The family focuses on Kashe’s progress and tells her they are “proud of her progress” when she gets frustrated doing a task. In return, Kashe displays her emotional intelligence by also encouraging them.
“If she sees me trying to open a jar of pickles, she’ll come over and say, “Dad, I’m so proud of you!”’ her father said.
Creating a preschool to help with her progress
Another way they have encouraged Kashe’s progress is through the creation of a preschool. Sukhjit has a background in education, and between working with Kashe at home and creating a need in their community through the pandemic, the Modern Schoolhouse was born.
“She’s still two at heart, and she needs to be with children her age and not have that pressure put on her to be older than she needs to be or act older than she needs to be,” her mother said.
The preschool opened in October with 12 children in attendance. They hope to expand to a larger building to accommodate the waiting list.
Intentional communication is key
With such an advanced child, Kashe’s parents say they don’t communicate differently with her.
However, they are learning to be intentional with their words and communication since she can hold them accountable for what they say by repeating it to them.
Sukhjit stated, “It has taught us patience in communicating with her, and we are very conscious of the words we use with her and how we explain things.” “It has taught us how to be better communicators with each other and collectively as a family because we all have to be on the same page.”
Even though they want to encourage her learning, Kashe develops her skills at her own pace. They stated that She sets the tone and explores the topics she is interested in. She also mirrors her skills to her parents.
“In terms of raising a child, you want to give them these skills and this growth mindset… to become that strong individual,” her mother said.
