Bill Spight wrote:... A possibly embarrassing example of generalization is calling every man with glasses and a beard Daddy. Don't laugh. I've had two children that I just met call me daddy. One of the mothers told me, "She calls every man with glasses and a beard Daddy."
Herman, there is indeed no direct evidence of a person's memory, but, for third persons, it can be evaluated only indirectly by witnesses, tests or circumstantial evidence. However, even the best circumstantial evidence (such as non-stop 1 marks in school maths) cannot tell, e.g., just HOW bored I was in maths at school (e.g., learning from principles within 1 or 2 hours the contents of 1 or 2 years of lessons). I am afraid, you would need to believe such anecdotes. Restrospect scientific tests would not provide evidence for them. Witnesses are not available (there is no witness for having read a school book privately and quickly). Science would need to observe directly, i.e., while the child is learning, and then soon measure its understanding.
I have not heard of such direct scientific observations of prodigies during their learning. Have you? There are, however, lots of anecdotes on scientists (see, e.g., the excellent (yes!) book Great Physicists, Cropper) or artists, which rely on notes or witnesses, but might, from an outside view, as well be rumours. E.g., is there actual evidence that Mozart did compose at the age of 4? We were told this anecdote at school more than once, but is it true?
Don't laugh. I've had two children that I just met call me daddy. One of the mothers told me, "She calls every man with glasses and a beard Daddy."