why call him a dullard

Back in elementary school I had a friend whose knowledge in electronics was the envy of almost all other kids. He would make cranes, vehicles, and helicopter to mention a few of his inventory out of rotor-machine and cardboard. He would also repair recorders, and megaphones.
His fame grew as his skill developed, but the opposite could be said of his grades. He had problem understanding quantitative analysis and verbal reasoning (these were the core courses for our then level).

It did not take long before abuses started dropping hard on him like snow. It got so intense that he could not go-on to high school with us but had to settle for technical school due to his ability.
To the surprise of all, the so-called written off student turned-out to emerge the best inventor in the community and went ahead to represent the state at the federal level.

So I ask this question, why call your child or ward a dullard?
People often give names to their wards simply because such child finds it difficult to cope at the same pace as his colleagues.
Most of us fail to realise that this fault could be as a result of our incompetence and insensitivity towards the child, or that we are moving at a pace that is awkwardly too fast for the child to cope.

There is a genius in every kid and the brilliance will only manifest when carefully attended to. Each child has his or her own level of intelligence (every child is intelligent), only that they express it differently when rightfully supported.

It takes remodelling, being broken, concentration, and sheer determination on the path of the teachers and the parents to have a child with hidden talent walk-out of his shell and the low states of life, to exude his true self and brilliance.
Even after he might have shown the traces of a genius, he still needs nurturing coupled with patience.
There are times when almost everything will look out of place and at this time frustration will set-in. This times require proper management, as such child might run back into the same shell he left, and never come-out again.

Note: Success is not achieved overnight, it takes the place of hard-work, persistence, and consistency to see dreams become goals, goals turn purpose, and purpose made a reality.

Just like I will always say, "get your ideas out of its nest, for only then will you see them fly".