Why read this: This is a short, easy news story about a new study. It tells students one big idea: most top adults were not top kids. The story uses easy words and short sentences. It is a good way to talk about hard work, school, and sports in English.
What to notice: Look at the numbers in the story: 34,000 top people, 90%, and 10%. Each number tells the reader something important. Also notice the three ideas in paragraph four (try many things, learn how to learn, do not push too hard). The story uses 'why' and 'what' questions to help readers follow the ideas.
Skills practised: Students practise reading short, simple sentences and finding facts. They practise answering 'how many' and 'why' questions. They learn three new words: child prodigy, training efficiency, and hothouse. They also practise comparing two groups: top kids and top adults.
Top Kids Do Not Always Become Top Adults
A new study finds something surprising about child stars and grown-up stars.
Tap any green word in the article to see its meaning.
Novak Djokovic started tennis at four years old. He left his home country at twelve to go to a tennis school. He won his first big title at twenty. Today he has won many more. He is a famous — a child with very special skill who became a top star. People often think top stars all start this way. But a new study says this is not true for most.
A scientist in Germany, Arne Güllich, looked at more than 34,000 top people. They were the best in sport, chess, music, and school subjects. He found something surprising. About 90% of top adults were not stars when they were children. Only 10% of top children grew up to be top adults. Being great young did not help them become great later.
What did the top adults do that was different? They tried many things for longer. The best sports stars played many sports at a high level. They were behind other kids when they were young. But when they picked one sport, they got better very fast. This is called . Top scientists also took longer to win prizes and kept other interests too.
Why does this happen? The team has three ideas. First, trying many things helps you find what you are best at. Tennis star Rafael Nadal first played football. Second, learning many things teaches your brain how to learn well. Third, pushing kids too hard in a hothouse can make them tired or bored. They may stop loving the sport.
The team says the hothouse way still makes good players. But it does not make the very best. Sports schools, top music schools, and special schools may want to think again. Maybe it is good for young people to try many things first, before they pick just one.
Novak Djokovic started tennis at four years old. He left his home country at twelve to go to a tennis school. He won his first big title at twenty. Today he has won many more. He is a famous — a child with very special skill who became a top star. People often think top stars all start this way. But a new study says this is not true for most.
A scientist in Germany, Arne Güllich, looked at more than 34,000 top people. They were the best in sport, chess, music, and school subjects. He found something surprising. About 90% of top adults were not stars when they were children. Only 10% of top children grew up to be top adults. Being great young did not help them become great later.
What did the top adults do that was different? They tried many things for longer. The best sports stars played many sports at a high level. They were behind other kids when they were young. But when they picked one sport, they got better very fast. This is called . Top scientists also took longer to win prizes and kept other interests too.
Why does this happen? The team has three ideas. First, trying many things helps you find what you are best at. Tennis star Rafael Nadal first played football. Second, learning many things teaches your brain how to learn well. Third, pushing kids too hard in a hothouse can make them tired or bored. They may stop loving the sport.
The team says the hothouse way still makes good players. But it does not make the very best. Sports schools, top music schools, and special schools may want to think again. Maybe it is good for young people to try many things first, before they pick just one.
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
How many top people did the scientist look at in the study?
- 02
About how many top adults were not stars when they were children?
- 03
Which sport did Rafael Nadal play before tennis?
- 04
Name three things that the top adults in the study did differently from the child stars.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe the three ideas the team gives for why top adults take a longer path.
Suggested length: ~50 words
Questions
Check your understanding
- 01
How many top people did the scientist look at in the study?
- 02
About how many top adults were not stars when they were children?
- 03
Which sport did Rafael Nadal play before tennis?
- 04
Name three things that the top adults in the study did differently from the child stars.
Suggested length: ~50 words
- 05
Describe the three ideas the team gives for why top adults take a longer path.
Suggested length: ~50 words