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Four-year-old genius accepted into Mensa

She has an IQ of more than 150 – and she hasn’t even started school yet.

Mensa member Heidi Hankins. Mensa member Heidi Hankins.

And though aged just four, Winchester girl Heidi Hankins was accepted into Mensa last week after a test showed she has a genius level of intellect.

While the average IQ for an adult is 100, Heidi’s is around 159 – making her one of just 90 children under ten to join Mensa UK.

Dad Matthew, 46, a lecturer at the University of Southampton, said: “We always thought Heidi was bright because she was reading early. I happen to specialise in measuring IQs in children and I was curious about her and the results were off the scale!

“I got her the complete set of the Oxford Reading Tree books when she was two and she read through the whole set of 30 in about an hour. It’s what you would expect a seven-year-old to do.”

Heidi can already add and subtract, draw figures and write in sentences.

Mr Hankins, of Stockbridge Road, Winchester, said: “She was making noises and trying to talk literally since she was born and by age one her vocabulary was quite good.

“Now it is really good. The other day I gave her mash and fishfingers for dinner, something quite boring, and her response was ‘That’s impressive,’ so she has a sense of humour, too.”

He added: “The thing is, she is not precocious, she is just a little girl who likes her Barbies and Lego but then you will find her sitting down and reading a book. We are really proud of her.”

Mr Hankins said he decided to test Heidi after her nursery in Winchester told him they had no activities capable of challenging her.

Challenges John Stevenage, chief executive of British Mensa Limited, said: “Heidi’s parents correctly identified that she shows great potential. We wish them well, and are pleased that they have chosen to join the Mensa network for support, where we aim to provide a positive environment for younger members to develop.”

Mr Hankins and his wife Sophy, an artist, moved to Winchester a year ago from Lewes to be closer to their son Isaac, nine, a chorister at Winchester Cathedral who boards at The Pilgrims’ School.

The pair are now looking at schools for Heidi and are hoping to skip a school year to make sure Heidi is challenged.


Comments (14)

12/04/12

St Retford says...

Why would any parent want their four-year-old in Mensa?

12/04/12

Huffter says...

St Retford wrote:
Why would any parent want their four-year-old in Mensa?
Why not?

12/04/12

The Salv says...

You cant teach people to have a higher IQ she was born with it.
.
Didnt realise you need 150 or more to be in Mensa. Last time I took one I was 138 - so close. Probababably lost a few brain celss cince then.

12/04/12

BillyTheKid says...

The Salv wrote:
You cant teach people to have a higher IQ she was born with it.
.
Didnt realise you need 150 or more to be in Mensa. Last time I took one I was 138 - so close. Probababably lost a few brain celss cince then.
Very funny ! Don't have to spell correctly to earn a high IQ, then ?

12/04/12

Condor Man says...

Well done to her, we need to celebrate achievement like this.

12/04/12

work-on says...

Well I'm sure her Dad didn't mean she isn't precocious .. she obviously is. But being clever isn't synonymous with obnoxious .. fortunately.
Learning is great! Hope she goes on to enjoy all her schooling.

13/04/12

BillyTheKid says...

Wonder what southy thinks ?

13/04/12

chunky_lover says...

definitely need more like this in the gene pool and less deadbeats.

13/04/12

Taskforce 141 says...

chunky_lover wrote:
definitely need more like this in the gene pool and less deadbeats.
Whole heartedly agree.

All the best to her

13/04/12

southy says...

BillyTheKid wrote:
The Salv wrote:
You cant teach people to have a higher IQ she was born with it.
.
Didnt realise you need 150 or more to be in Mensa. Last time I took one I was 138 - so close. Probababably lost a few brain celss cince then.
Very funny ! Don't have to spell correctly to earn a high IQ, then ?
That is correct spelling and grammar don't need to be correct to have an high IQ, majority of people who have perfect grammar and spelling tend to range with an IQ of 90 to 110 and why 100 is the bench mark for the normal, having an high IQ is about solving puzzles of all kinds and be able to remember details over a very long period and beening with in 80% correct.

13/04/12

southy says...

BillyTheKid wrote:
Wonder what southy thinks ?
What I think good on her, but having an high IQ can be dodgy thing once you reach that 175 mark your entering that fine line between genius and maddness and the higher it is the finer the line.

13/04/12

Goldenwight says...

Heidi can already add and subtract, draw figures and write in sentences.

I know a few adults in Millbrook who can't do that. They can draw benefits and avoid sentences, though, and that seems to be enough for them.

13/04/12

Georgem says...

southy wrote:
BillyTheKid wrote:
The Salv wrote:
You cant teach people to have a higher IQ she was born with it.
.
Didnt realise you need 150 or more to be in Mensa. Last time I took one I was 138 - so close. Probababably lost a few brain celss cince then.
Very funny ! Don't have to spell correctly to earn a high IQ, then ?
That is correct spelling and grammar don't need to be correct to have an high IQ, majority of people who have perfect grammar and spelling tend to range with an IQ of 90 to 110 and why 100 is the bench mark for the normal, having an high IQ is about solving puzzles of all kinds and be able to remember details over a very long period and beening with in 80% correct.
What about incorrect spelling and grammar? Do they have to be correct?

15/04/12

southy says...

Georgem wrote:
southy wrote:
BillyTheKid wrote:
The Salv wrote:
You cant teach people to have a higher IQ she was born with it.
.
Didnt realise you need 150 or more to be in Mensa. Last time I took one I was 138 - so close. Probababably lost a few brain celss cince then.
Very funny ! Don't have to spell correctly to earn a high IQ, then ?
That is correct spelling and grammar don't need to be correct to have an high IQ, majority of people who have perfect grammar and spelling tend to range with an IQ of 90 to 110 and why 100 is the bench mark for the normal, having an high IQ is about solving puzzles of all kinds and be able to remember details over a very long period and beening with in 80% correct.
What about incorrect spelling and grammar? Do they have to be correct?
Not for a high IQ Georgem spelling and grammar don't even come in to it with a high IQ.
Having very good spelling and grammar just shows you been brainwashed into thinking one way.

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