My 19 month old cousin knows how to play the piano fluently and likes to learn a LOT...-but his parents don't

Question

But his parents are taking his music away...Is he a prodigy?

He knows how to play "ring-a-ring-a-roses" I just discovered this a few weeks back and told his parents (my uncle and aunt).

But they said to leave him alone - I don't want my cousin to lose his ability!

He also seems to read A LOT and has amazed me...I gave him shred of Grey's Anatomy (the book) and he REALLY likes it.

What can I do, he seems to be gifted but his parents hate the idea of him doing this...

What do I do?

He also doesn't speak.

I'm 15 by the way and we live in the UK.

Answer 1

It would be great if kids' didn't lose ability, but I'm not convinced (I have 2 graduate degrees in gifted education so I'm probably worth convincing.). He could lose a lot of time and not develop his talent completely.

On the bright side, prodigies are kind of unnerving because we don't expect really little people to have skills greater than ours. Lots of parents take a while to come to grips with it. There's a kid now who's a golf prodigy--wanted to watch the golf channel instead of cartoons at 2 years. His parents finally got him clubs for his 5th b'day. Itzhak Perlman heard violin music on the radio at age 3 and his love for it persuaded his parents to buy him one.

Can you find out what concerns your aunt and uncle? It would give you some insight. Sad to say, you're too young for your opinion, even if we all tell you to fight like a dog for this boy, to count for much. My advice is to enlist the aid of your parents or grandparents or someone older that his parents will listen to. Even if Grandma just gets him to play the piano at her house like a game, it would be good for him and might win his folks over.

In the meantime, give him all the opportunities to learn and perform you can and keep your mouth closed around your aunt and uncle.

Answer 2

My instinct is to say you have to leave this to his parents. They are maybe (and sensibly so) not wanting to be 'pushy' parents. I am a piano teacher, and if he has this level of skill and interest, then perhaps in a year or so he could learn more, but many things are necessary to be able to learn. At 19 months I feel he may be just a little to young.

Great musicians often start when they are young. I started when I was 6 (not that I am saying I am a great musician!!), but it has stayed with me throughout and I love music. It is not something that can be forced. Show interest in what he plays. If you play, show him a little bit more each time. See what he can take in, but keep it fun.

You say he likes reading. He can't speak. So how does he express this like and his understanding of what he is reading to you?

I think it is good you are so caring and attentive to your cousin, but you are not his parents and you have to respect their wishes. You probably won't know everything about this child, there may be many reasons why his parents act the way the do, and they may never feel the need to share that with you.

Have fun with him, keep it lighthearted and don't fall out with your Aunt and Uncle!

Answer 3

I think it's really sweet that you're showing so much concern and love for your little cousin.
Perhaps try talking to your parents or grandparents if you can about things. There might be some 'grown-ups' reason why they don't want him doing these things, that they feel you're too young to understand. (Not that I'm saying your too young or anything, but there's things MY parents still don't tell me and I'm 21 and 23 weeks pregnant!)

I'd say keep introducing him to new things that he enjoys, but be careful. You aunt and uncle might stop you seeing him if they find out and are REALLY against you giving him these things.

They're maybe protecting him from the hype that 'super kids' get. But 19 months and unable to speak seems a bit weird to me. Combined with how clever he is, it sounds a bit like Autism or something to me. But again, this IS your aunt and uncle's child and although it is VERY sweet that you love and worry about him so much, how he's brought up is their choice.

Again, I'd speak to another family member about it, your parents or a grandparent or something. There might be things going on that haven't been explained to you because they don't think you're old enough or something.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Gifted kids will stay gifted - a kid that young needs the same things all kids need, they don't need to be pushed. Don't worry, he won't lose his ability.

With that being said, a child of nineteen months who can read and play piano and doesn't speak may have other issues - you can look up hyperlexia (which means early reading) which can be related to other developmental disorders like autism. Unfortunately it's almost impossible for other people to express concerns to parents about their kid's development (even grandparents) and your age makes it more difficult. If you push the issue it may make your aunt and uncle even more determined to not listen.

However, it's also possible that they are aware and worried about him - this may be why they are discouraging his piano playing especially if he does it for hours on end. They may feel that you are too young for them to share their concerns with. Just enjoy your cousin, try to engage him in typical play (especially pretend play) and read children's books with him, asking him questions about the pictures and the story, or letting him tell you stories. His parents have his best interests at heart.

Swap "ability" for "talent" - I still don't think you can extinguish pure talent in a nineteen month old by not allowing him to play the piano. True giftedness isn't easily quashed.

Answer 5

Einstein allegedly talked late. Most infants say a few words at this age, but speech really takes off after age two to two and a half. But sounds as if you have a potential Mozart in your family. Start out with age appropriate books first, read to him. Perhaps you or another cousin can sit with him at the piano and play short, simple tunes.

Answer 6

All children should be encouraged, even at that age. I say keep introducing your cousin to those type of things.

Answer 7

yes, they should encour¡ge their kid... you dont find smart people like that anymore, im glad that ur concerned about him :)

Answer 8

Mind your own business.

When you have kids, you can decide what they do and monitor their speech progress.