Living proof that you’re never too young!
Meet Caleb Anderson, the Georgia pre-teen who’s already a college sophomore.
According to Blavity, 12-year-old Caleb is making strides as a second-year student at Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta, Georgia.
Family and friends say Caleb has always been an extraordinary child, learning to speak and read before he was one-year-old. By the time he turned two, Caleb was able to read the U.S. Constitution, and by three, he could speak Spanish, French, Mandarin, English, and American Sign Language.
“By nine months old, he was able to sign over 250 words, and by 11-months-old, he was speaking and reading,” Caleb’s father Kobi said. “As we started to interact with other parents, and had other children, then we started to realize how exceptional the experience was because we had no other frame of reference.”
MENSA, an organization recognizing people with an IQ in the top 2% of the world, inducted Caleb when he was 5-years-old. His family said they were told he is the youngest Black boy to join the group. Claire Anderson, Caleb’s mother, said she realized that Caleb would advance through school quickly in elementary and middle school.
“He said, ‘Mom, I’m bored. This is not challenging. It’s really not helping me grow in my learning, and I think I’m ready for college,'” Claire said.
When he was 11 years old, Caleb enrolled at Chattahoochee Technical College and is currently majoring in aerospace engineering. Since he’s so young, his dad Kobi has to be his chaperone on campus, but Kobi says that’s all he does since Caleb is too smart for him to help with any homework.
“He has far surpassed me in math, so I can’t help him anymore. Seriously! He’s in calculus two now!” Kobi said.
The Andersons said what they have learned from the entire experience is that it’s essential to build, appreciate, and nurture the gifts your children have, being mindful not to box them into an idea of whom you think they should be.
“Fully invest in the skills and talents your child has and remember there are free resources. Focus on creating a love for learning, not just the learning itself,” the couple said.
They also warned against the misconception that Caleb might be an anomaly, reminding people that Black children across the world are just as smart as Caleb, as evidenced by their two other children and the children Clarie teaches. They felt it was important to remind people that the difference is the opportunity, not the child’s ability.
“I think people have a negative perspective when it comes to African-American boys. There are many other Calebs out there. African-American boys like him. From being a teacher, I really believe that. But they don’t have the opportunity or resources,” Claire said.
Congratulations, Caleb!
Photo Courtesy of Upworthy