Discover the prodigious two-year-old Briton, demonstrating extraordinary intellect, now part of the top 2% of the world's brainy individuals.
UK Two-Year-Old Joins Mensa as the Youngest Male Member
A two-year-old boy from the United Kingdom, named Joseph Harris-Birtill, has earned a prestigious title as the youngest male member of Mensa, the world's largest and oldest high-IQ society, as confirmed by Guinness World Records.
The toddler, born on November 23, 2021, joined Mensa at the age of 2 years and 182 days, surpassing the previous record holder, Joseph Isla McNabb, who joined at 2 years and 195 days old. To be eligible for membership, individuals must score within the top 2% of the population, with an IQ of at least 132.
Parents Rose and David Harris-Birtill, both academics at the University of St Andrews, attested to their son's exceptional abilities since birth. Joseph's early milestones include rolling over at five weeks old and speaking his first words at seven months. By 1 year and 9 months, he was reading books cover to cover, a feat many children achieve years later. By the age of 2 and a quarter years old, he was reading aloud fluently for 10 minutes at a time and knew how to count to 10 in five different languages.
In addition to his impressive reading and counting abilities, Joseph has taken on more complex challenges. He is learning the Greek alphabet, Morse code, and the periodic table, and is also learning to play the piano. His interests span languages, math problems, and cooking.
Despite his prodigious talents, Joseph is described as kind and gentle, happily sharing his toys with others and not regarding himself as superior to his peers. His parents emphasize the importance of providing appropriate stimulation and understanding for gifted children, as an unsupportive environment can diminish their unique talents.
This remarkable achievement by Joseph Harris-Birtill showcases his exceptional intellectual abilities at an incredibly young age, further pushing the boundaries of what is thought possible for a child of his age.
- His interests extend beyond academic pursuit, as the young Mensa member, Joseph Harris-Birtill, also has a keen interest in cooking, reflecting a diverse lifestyle in India and general news.
- Just as the cricket game requires focus and precision, so does Joseph's approach to education-and-self-development, as he tackles complex subjects such as the Greek alphabet and Morse code with ease at his tender age.
- In contrast to the competitive nature of Mensa, where members compete for high-IQ scores, young Joseph believes in maintaining a harmonious environment, sharing his toys and kindness with peers, following the ethical values set forth in India's rich cultural and social setting.
