Introduction to a Child Prodigy
At an age where most kids are just starting to master the alphabet, 4-year-old Zorien Royce of Vernon Hills speaks five languages and is among the youngest card-carrying Mensa members in the world.
Early Signs of Exceptional Ability
Zorian, who turned 4 earlier this month, actually earned his membership to Mensa, an organization open to those who score in the top 2% on an accepted standardized intelligence test, and Intertel, which is open to the top 1% of the world’s population, based on tests he took when he was 3. He scored 156 out of 160 on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence test, which placed him into the “profoundly gifted range.”
Parental Observations
Zorian’s father, Md Naquib Alam Ansari, an associate director of technology at a global pharmaceutical company, and mother, Monirupa Ananya, a civil engineer at a global construction firm, said they first noticed their son had unusual abilities around the age of 2, when he could count from 1 to 100 forwards and backwards and spell complex words.
Display of Insatiable Curiosity
Even more than that, they say Zorian displayed such an insatiable curiosity that his questions forced the couple, both who have master’s degrees, to consult with Google for the answers. “His questions are thoughtful,” Ananya said. “One time he asked us why doesn’t the moon fall down? Who is holding it up? I had to search Google for the answers.”
Language Acquisition
Ananya said her son learned Bengali from her parents, who have been visiting from India for the summer. “My mom and dad joke that he learned Bengali, but they haven’t learned English,” she said, adding that Zorien’s curiosity extends to his grandparents. “He asked my dad why a car has four wheels while a bicycle has only two,” Ananya said.
Educational Path and Support
Because of Zorien’s curiosity and ability to pick up language quickly, the couple consulted their pediatrician who referred them to a psychologist — who administered the IQ test that led to Zorian qualifying for both Mensa and Intertel. “I had never heard of Mensa, but they have a lot of resources for him and like-minded people,” she said.
Current Education and Activities
Ananya said after her husband immigrated to the U.S. in 2014 and she in 2018, they moved a block away from a school in Vernon Hills with the intention that if they had children, they would attend the school. However, because Zorian has displayed high intelligence — he is currently reading at a 3rd grade level, and has mastered 3-digit addition and subtraction and is doing multiplication and division, he’s enrolled at the Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines. He also attends Kumon, an after-school math and reading program, a couple times a week.
Balancing Academics and Personal Life
While his academic caseload is rigorous for a 4-year-old, Zorien also loves to swim, paint and play soccer, Ananya said, adding her son is very kind and compassionate. “During the COVID period, I had a high fever, and he would come with a plate of food and offer me things. He’s very affectionate.” Ananya said Zorien also is very social, often asking people questions that go beyond how they are doing.
Future Aspirations and Parental Support
Ananya said while Zorien says he wants to work for NASA one day, she realizes he may change his mind. “Right now, his interest is in space, but that can evolve at any time. Whatever he wants to do, it’s important that we give him the right environment and support and encouragement,” Ananya said. “We let him ask a lot of questions and try to answer as much as we can. We let him lead the way. His nature is curiosity, and we try to nurture him by providing him a platform without pushing him.”
Parental Rules and Guidelines
While the couple has allowed Zorien to learn about the things that interest him, they do have rules they say have helped his development, such as a consistent bedtime and no screen time. He has stickers and a bike adorned with the image of Spider-Man but has never watched the popular movie. He’s not allowed to eat sugary foods or candy.
Adaptation to Changing Needs
Recently, Zorien started using words she didn’t understand and had to turn on Google translator, which helped her realize her son was counting 1 to 20 in French. This led to the couple relenting a bit on screen time, allowing their son to watch a few videos on YouTube to help his French and Spanish, two languages the couple don’t speak. Ansari said because he and his wife sometimes speak Hindi, Zorien is also starting to learn that language, to go along with the four other languages he speaks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Zorien Royce’s exceptional abilities and his parents’ supportive approach to his development make for a compelling story of a child prodigy. With his admittance to elite intelligence societies like Mensa and Intertel, Zorien is set on a path that could lead to remarkable achievements. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing curiosity and providing the right environment for gifted children to thrive.
FAQs
- Q: How old is Zorien Royce?
A: Zorien Royce is 4 years old. - Q: What intelligence societies is Zorien a member of?
A: Zorien is a member of Mensa and Intertel. - Q: What languages does Zorien speak?
A: Zorien speaks five languages, including Bengali, which he learned from his grandparents. - Q: Where is Zorien enrolled in school?
A: Zorien is enrolled at the Science & Arts Academy in Des Plaines. - Q: What are Zorien’s future aspirations?
A: Currently, Zorien aspires to work for NASA, but his interests may evolve over time.
