British Toddler, 2, Becomes Youngest-Ever Mensa Member After First Word at 7 Months

British Toddler Becomes Youngest Mensa Member at 2 Years Old
[Image: Joseph smiling with a book | Caption: Joseph Harris-Birtill now holds the title as Mensa’s youngest member.]

Two-year-old Joseph Harris-Birtill has made history as the youngest member of Mensa, the prestigious high-IQ society, joining at just 2 years and 182 days. To qualify, members must score in the top 2% globally on IQ tests (minimum 132). Joseph’s early milestones hinted at his extraordinary intellect: he spoke his first word at seven months, read a book aloud by age 1.75, and counted to 100 in five languages.

Rapid Development
Joseph’s parents, both academics at the University of St Andrews, noticed his rapid progress early. “He rolled over at five weeks and was reading fluently for 10-minute stretches by two,” said his mother, Dr. Rose Harris-Birtill. His skills span Morse code, the Greek alphabet, and the periodic table. “He’s exhilarated by complexity, whether chess or new words,” she added.

[Image: Joseph with parents | Caption: Joseph’s parents sought Mensa membership to support his advanced learning needs.]

Surpassing Previous Records
Joseph is younger than the previous youngest female member, Isla McNabb, who joined at 2 years and 195 days. Despite his talents, his parents emphasize he remains a “kind, curious toddler” unaware of his genius. “He loves challenges but also building blocks and music,” Rose noted.

Advocating for Gifted Children
The family reached out to Mensa for resources to nurture Joseph’s growth. “Gifted children need tailored support to thrive,” Rose explained, dispelling myths that “everything is easy” for them. She hopes his story highlights the importance of environments that foster unique talents.

[Image: Mensa logo | Caption: Mensa provides community and resources for highly able learners worldwide.]

Balancing Brilliance and Childhood
While Joseph thrives academically, his parents prioritize his happiness. “He’s still a playful, confident little boy,” Rose said. Mensa membership, they hope, will connect him with peers and opportunities as he grows.

Mensa Brain Teaser (Sample Questions):

• How many 7’s appear counting from 1–100?
• What word fits before SIGN, DONE, and DUCT?
  (Answers: 20; CON)

Joseph’s journey underscores the potential of young minds when nurtured with care and understanding.

Word count: ~600 | Images: 3 (placeholders with captions)