This is in response to Shalini's request.

First we have to define what is a genius

Who are the people in history that are recognized as geniuses?

• Beethoven (musical genius)

• Mozart
• Leonardo DaVinci (artistic genius)
• Albert Einstein (scientific genius)
• Isaac Newton (scientific genius)
• William Shakespear (literary genius)

There are many others. Which proves that the term "genius" is an overarching term used to categorize a select group of people who exceed the limitations of the average person in their particular skill of interest.

What type of genius do you want you child to become?

• math?
• writing?
• music?
• art?
• computer?

• oration (i.e. public speaking)?

I personally would not suggest that you choose the line of work for your child, but if you must, you need to have the tools to properly teach your child the "tricks of the trade". You will need to:

• Get them into the right schools (look for schools that are known for producing "geniuses" in the area of interest. For example, MIT is reknowned for it's excellence in Engineering. There are top-knotch music schools out there as well.

• Encourage your child's skill. Show interest in their progress. Attend "recitals". Buy them equipment to help them improve. If your child is a film student, buying them state-of-the-art video equipment would be helpful. If (s)he says (s)he wants to be an astronaut, buy him/her a telescope and/or some books on famous astronauts.
• Make sure your child practices. Practice makes perfect! Nobody is born fluent in anything. They have to crawl before they can walk, and so on...So, don't expect your child to just pick up abilities magically out of thin air. To be good at math, they have to do their math homework. The same goes for English, arts and sciences. Not only that, but expose your child to the diversity of their craft. If there are magazines, books or periodicals written on your child's specific area of interest, get those for your child. If there is a city or location reknowned for the particular thing your child is interested in (eg. Hollywood is famous for film-making, Broadway is famous for plays) your child may appreciate a trip to one of these locations to experience professionals at work.
• Get your child noticed. I'm sure Leonardo da Vinci did not just show up at the Sistine chapel and start painting on the walls. He had to get hired to do the work. Some probably noticed the other paintings he did and knew they just had to have their ceiling painted by this particularly gifted man, and from then on we have had this work of art which many hail as a work of genius and others claim was the hand of God himself. Don't hide your child's talent. He or she may get enough ridicule from the outside world who may not understand his/her talent. Your most important job as the mother is to nurture your child, and be the one beacon of unconditional love that (s)he has in his/her life.

The sad truth I have to reveal to you, is that even with all of this practice and nurturing, you child still may not become a "genius".

He may become very good at whatever skills he was taught, but being a good painter does not produce Leonardo DaVinci's Sistine chapel. He might just become Bob Ross from the Joy of painting.

Your child may even grow up to decided that (s)he doesn't want to do that kind of work any more (even though he/she is great at it). They might decide to do something else with their life. Nothing is certain, but following these tips will help.

Don't feel bad if your child is not the next great superstar, though. Your child can still do a lot of good for his/her community with whatever skills he/she has.

Good luck!