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FAMILY
by Janice Tai // May 13, 2026, 3:54 pm
“God created me the way I am”: 7-year-old child prodigy who aced “O” Level Maths and Chemistry exams, and attends university lectures
by Janice Tai // May 13, 2026, 3:54 pm
An unusual sight in NTU auditorium. Photo credit: NTU.
On a Sunday night at 11pm, a small voice piped up in the car.
“How was the world created?” Theodore Kwan, 7, asked his parents. They were driving home after a late-night grocery run. Earlier that day, he had just watched a video about stars and star systems.
Without missing a beat, he volunteered his own answer: “Maybe God sparked off the Big Bang, and when there was the explosion, the world was created.”
That had been the top question on his mind, the thing he wanted to know about God: Whether God created the world or if He started the universe.
His mother Crystal Tang, 34, simply listened to her young son trying to make sense of Science theories he was learning, while considering his faith.
“We had discussed the Genesis story of Creation many times in the past. It was late that day, but I knew he would want to continue this conversation next time,” she told Salt&Light.
“It (the Big Bang hypothesis) has not been proven fully yet. So do you still believe that God is real?” she asked him.
“Of course, I do,” Theodore replied.
This exchange on the deeper questions of life was just one of many that the inquisitive boy regularly has with his mother.
Theodore showed strong interest in Science at a young age.
Earlier this year, he set a new national record for being the youngest candidate to sit for the International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE) Pure Mathematics paper, an “O” Level equivalent exam. He scored the highest grade of A*.
In 2025, Theodore also made headlines for becoming the youngest person in Singapore to score an A grade in an IGCSE Chemistry exam.
Since last year, he has been attending Chemistry lectures at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), learning alongside undergraduates on topics like organic chemistry, chemical bonding theory and spectroscopic techniques.
Theodore going for chemistry lectures in NTU, alongside undergraduates who are thrice his age. Photo courtesy of NTU.
Theodore, who is homeschooled by his mother, also holds five other Singapore records (with a sixth pending), including one for being the first and youngest to score full marks in a Science Olympiad, according to the Singapore Book of Records.
Theodore now holds 5 records (1 pending) in the Singapore Book of Records.
All these accolades at such a young age have made his parents extra mindful about their responsibility in stewarding their son.
“Giftedness, like any other strength, is not an endpoint. It is simply one part of a person and it comes with its own responsibilities. What matters far more is the kind of person a child grows into,” she added.
“How was the world created?” Theodore Kwan, 7, asked his parents. They were driving home after a late-night grocery run. Earlier that day, he had just watched a video about stars and star systems.
Without missing a beat, he volunteered his own answer: “Maybe God sparked off the Big Bang, and when there was the explosion, the world was created.”
That had been the top question on his mind, the thing he wanted to know about God: Whether God created the world or if He started the universe.
His mother Crystal Tang, 34, simply listened to her young son trying to make sense of Science theories he was learning, while considering his faith.
“We had discussed the Genesis story of Creation many times in the past. It was late that day, but I knew he would want to continue this conversation next time,” she told Salt&Light.
“It (the Big Bang hypothesis) has not been proven fully yet. So do you still believe that God is real?” she asked him.
This exchange on the deeper questions of life was just one of many that the inquisitive boy regularly has with his mother.
Theodore showed strong interest in Science at a young age.
In the spotlight for exceptional intellectual achievements
Theodore has been making the news for various intellectual achievements far exceeding the abilities of typical children of his age.Earlier this year, he set a new national record for being the youngest candidate to sit for the International General Certificate of Education (IGCSE) Pure Mathematics paper, an “O” Level equivalent exam. He scored the highest grade of A*.
In 2025, Theodore also made headlines for becoming the youngest person in Singapore to score an A grade in an IGCSE Chemistry exam.
Since last year, he has been attending Chemistry lectures at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), learning alongside undergraduates on topics like organic chemistry, chemical bonding theory and spectroscopic techniques.
Theodore going for chemistry lectures in NTU, alongside undergraduates who are thrice his age. Photo courtesy of NTU.
Theodore, who is homeschooled by his mother, also holds five other Singapore records (with a sixth pending), including one for being the first and youngest to score full marks in a Science Olympiad, according to the Singapore Book of Records.
Theodore now holds 5 records (1 pending) in the Singapore Book of Records.
All these accolades at such a young age have made his parents extra mindful about their responsibility in stewarding their son.
Stewarding the giftedness of God’s child
“For us, the question has gradually shifted from: ‘What should Theodore achieve?’ to ‘How can we faithfully steward who God has created him to be?’” Crystal told Salt&Light.“Giftedness, like any other strength, is not an endpoint. It is simply one part of a person and it comes with its own responsibilities. What matters far more is the kind of person a child grows into,” she added.
