It might seem ordinary watching 12-year-old Suborno Bari play badminton with his father, but make no mistake—he's anything but average. While many kids his age are focused on post-game snacks, Suborno's passion lies squarely within the realms of mathematics and physics. “Yeah, most of the time I’m having the most fun when I’m doing math and physics,” he enthusiastically shares.
Suborno's skill set is extraordinary; by the tender age of four, he was already challenging his father, Rashidul Bari, with math problems. “He fell in love with math,” Rashidul, who is also a mathematician, explained. “He read all the books I had and was stumping me on problems I couldn’t even solve.” Suborno's early thirst for knowledge eventually led him to deliver university lectures at just seven years old. This September, he took on the even bigger step of enrolling at New York University.
For Suborno, the transition to college felt very much like “the next natural step.” He said, “Most kids go to college after high school, so I said, ‘Why not me?’” Despite his impressive resume, he maintains a sense of childhood wonder. “I know it may sound strange to hear someone talk with this voice at my age, but I’m only 12,” he quipped, laughing at the incongruity of the situation. “I’ve seen my birth certificate, so it’s not lost on me.”
This drive to excel is not merely about academic achievement; it reflects what psychologist Ellen Winner, professor emerita at Boston College, terms the “rage to master,” which is often evident among child prodigies. “These children want to stay inside and work on whatever they’re gifted at instead of going out to play,” Winner explained. “It’s clear when you talk to them, especially those excelling at music, mathematics, and visual arts.”
While Suborno stands out as a math prodigy, the world of child prodigies is vast, including lesser-known talents like young abstract artist August Gardener, who is only four years old. Winner’s own grandson, August, spends his days creating countless paintings and sculptures, marking his presence alongside prodigious artists throughout history. “It’s the drive—the desire to continue doing it—and the top-of-mindness of it,” noted his father, Andrew Gardener, reflecting on the difference between August and the typical four-year-old.
August’s mother, Vanessa Gardener, echoed these sentiments, explaining how deliberate and intentional he is when producing art. “When he’s working on his art, everything is very thought out and intentional,” she remarked. This focused approach is characteristic of child prodigies, according to Jen Drake, psychology professor at Brooklyn College. Now conducting research on artistic prodigies, she notes August’s exceptional concentration. “That one drawing he spent several days working on demonstrates their willingness to go back and improve,” Drake pointed out.
But just what constitutes prodigy-level art? “That's tough to assess since much of it is abstract,” Drake acknowledged. “Yet August’s use of color, line, and form is far more advanced than what you find with typical preschoolers.” And when asked if August is recognized as a prodigy, Drake didn’t hesitate: “I would say yes. Definitely.”
August, alongside historical figures like Pablo Picasso and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, continues to expand the narrative surrounding child prodigies. Yet, Winner cautions against assuming their childhood genius will always translate to long-term success. “Most prodigies do not become major adult creators,” she warned, asserting, “Being labeled as such often means they’ve mastered what’s been invented rather than creating something new.”
How often do we encounter another Picasso or Mozart? “Very, very rare,” she admits, urging for tempered expectations. Yet, there’s something enchanting about young talents like Suborno and August, as they explore the realms of their abilities, hope glowing brightly on the horizon.
Suborno, with ambitions for obtaining his Ph.D. by the age of 16, isn’t leaving things to chance. “I want to be remembered for more than just being flashy for five years and vanishing,” he asserted. “I want to leave a mark,” he concluded, encapsulating the hopes and dreams of many gifted youngsters embarking on their journeys.