A toddler from California has recently become America’s youngest Mensa member. Kanshe Quest has an IQ of 146, and at only 2 years old, can recognize all 50 of the U.S. states just by looking at the shape and location, as well as name every element on the periodic table just by glancing at the symbols.
The advanced language skills she displays are far beyond the majority of her peers.
Her parents Devin and Sukhjit Quest believed they saw early signs of her daughter being Mensa material, and at 18 months, her pediatrician confirmed their suspicions after doing a checkup. They also decided to have her IQ tested by a psychologist, in order to be able to provide the most productive learning environment for her.
The word “Mensa” means “table” in Latin, according to Mensa International. This organization is open to people who have attained scores within the upper two percent of the general population on an approved intelligence test. It aims to create a society that is non-political and free from all racial or original distinctions.
“She has always shown us, more than anything, the propensity to explore her surroundings and to ask the question ‘Why?’” Devin 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.”
View this post on Instagram
Devin and Sukhjit told CNN that parenting a genius child has been a real learning experience for them as well. They’ve become more mindful of making the best language choices when speaking with their daughter, and believe their own communication skills have greatly improved as a result.
To continue encouraging Kashe’s progress, The Quests recently opened the Modern Schoolhouse preschool at home, letting Kashe interact with kids in her own age group. The preschool opened in October, with 12 children enrolled in its inaugural class.
“She’s still two at heart, and 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.
Even though they want to encourage Kashe to continue learning, they want to make sure all the skills she develops are at her own pace.
