Mom says prodigy is doing what he enjoys

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SACRAMENTO, July 7 (UPI) -- The mother of a 9-year-old California boy who discovered a supernova and is already taking college-level classes says her son also "enjoys being a child."

Tanishq Abraham is being educated through a combination of home schooling and classes at American River College in Sacramento, ABC News reports. He also guest lectures at the college.

Taji Abraham said her son began showing his intellectual ability early. By the time he was 2, he could count to 100 and at the age of 4 he did well enough on an intelligence test to be admitted to MENSA.

Tanishq is interested in astronomy and has helped find an exoplanet -- a planet orbiting another star -- as well as discovering a supernova. He hopes, when he grows up, to be a doctor, scientist and U.S. president.

But his mother says his interests extend beyond science or the classroom and lab. He enjoys photography, has won prizes for his artwork and commutes into San Francisco twice a week to sing with the San Francisco Boys Choir.

Taji Abraham said she has gotten a lot of criticism for pushing her son ahead in school. But she said he is doing what he enjoys.

"He enjoys being a child," she said. "He's just like any other 9-year-old boy who enjoys life."