How To Raise Exceptional People

Inspired by Henrik Karlsson post on the childhoods of exceptional people.

Henrik Karlsson wrote substack post on the Childhoods of exceptional people that is itself exceptional and worth sharing:

Childhoods of exceptional people

Read the full article, but these were my notes:

How To Raise Exceptional People

Summary: Curate an exceptional milieu.

1. Homeschool or private school with a unique curriculum.

2. Treat children as intellectual peers.

3. Let them interact with exceptional adults.

4. Prioritize children’s education as much as any adult endeavor.

5. Let them read. (Corollary: If you can’t get in-person tutors, start with books.)

6. Allow self-directed free time.

7. Allow for boredom.

8. Allow for hyper-focus on special interests.

9. Provide 1-on-1 tutoring.

10. Include children in adult work.

As Karlsson summarizes:

Let me sum up what I’ve said so far. A lot of care went into curating the environment around the children—fascinating guests were invited, libraries were built, machines were brought home and disassembled—but the children were left with a lot of time to freely explore the interests that arose within these milieus.

I would add: this is possible for adults as well. All of the above habits are useful for adult growth. If you want a new skill, you can spend time around exceptional people, intensely study it, allow for boredom and free time, and hire a private coach.

My child is not yet at the age of education, but I plan to incorporate these ideas. When I look back at my own childhood, many of the parts that worked in my favor can be found in this list. My children will benefit from those parts that worked, plus the new things I have learned.