A six-year-old boy from Bedford, N.S., has gained membership into one of the world’s most exclusive clubs.
Elijah Kodzo Motey is one of 50 Nova Scotians who’ve been accepted into Mensa International, a high-IQ society for people who score in the top two per cent of standardized intelligence tests.
“We are so proud, we’re so excited,” said his mother, Mercy Mutale Motey, in an interview. “I think we are still in shock in some ways.”
Elijah is the youngest of three children in his family. His parents said they started seeing clues of his intelligence early on. At the age of two, he would spell complicated words on the fridge with magnets. He taught himself to read and write as a toddler.
At daycare, he would lead storytime — reading to his fellow young classmates. Math came naturally, too.
“He would be doing three times tables — three, six, nine and 12. And he was like two years old,” his mother said. “It was just remarkable to be able to watch.”
The Moteys wanted to make sure they could provide Elijah with the resources and support he’d need as a gifted child, so they turned to Mensa.
Since the non-profit organization only tests people who are 14 and older, Elijah’s parents had him tested by a psychologist. Those results were sent to Atlantic Mensa, a chapter for members from Canada’s East Coast.
Elijah’s father, Delali Motey, said he wasn’t surprised that Elijah was accepted into the society.
“Knowing how he was with math and his intelligence level, we were confident,” he said.
Elijah attends an elementary school that falls under the province’s French school board, Conseil scolaire acadien provincial. His parents have a French language background and they try to speak at least two languages with their children at home.
What does Elijah like most about school?
“Math for solving questions,” he said. “Gym for running around and the library for reading.”
At school, he added, “I can be smart and intelligent.”
Barry Schmidel, the Atlantic regional representative on the board of Mensa Canada, said the organization started as a way to provide a community for people “who are highly intelligent.”
“I have a peer group now that I wouldn’t have had before if I wasn’t a member,” he said. “I know people who may disagree with me politically or on social issues or whatever, but who I can have an intelligent conversation with.”
“We’re not a bunch of snobs,” he added.
Elijah’s mom said she believes it’s important for parents to advocate for their children, no matter their skill level. She’s in regular contact with the school’s principal and vice-principal to make sure Elijah is challenged correctly.
As for the future, she said it’s too early to say what lies ahead for her son.
“We really want him to explore what he loves and enjoys,” she said. “He is so enthusiastic about the things that he enjoys, and because of his skills, he’s able to pick up almost anything.”
