I feel the biggest thing differentiating child geniuses is that they get things done on their own without being told to. They'll explore the world, they'll naturally have a thirst for learning, etc. The worst thing you can do to a kid like that is to give them the kind of "guidance" you give normal children. They're fine on their own; it's pushing them into a structure that screws them. But often the programs designed to coach genius children think of coaching as the kind of help you'd give normal children.
I find it interesting that society thinks it's important to "guide" genius children. A question I'd like to ask is: what exactly do these children lack that we need to compensate with guidance? Children who get things done on their own just need space.
I don't agree with this at all. Having a high level of intellect doesn't mean one has the worldly experience to navigate life's obstacles. These children, intelligent as they are, are still children, and impressionable by adults especially when they are young. All it takes is a few years in the early period of development for a budding genius' potential to be clamped. There are many reasons so many end up not doing well. I don't mean by merely the financial measure as noted elsewhere in this thread, but across the board, in that they end up not fulfilling their potential to achieve great things. For some the biggest contributing factor is having one of many different kinds of negative parental and adult influences at an early age.
I find it interesting that society thinks it's important to "guide" genius children. A question I'd like to ask is: what exactly do these children lack that we need to compensate with guidance? Children who get things done on their own just need space.