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We have all heard of IQ. Heck, we all even know that Einstein aced this test. But, is IQ the only barometer of our potential? There is more to us than just solving math and logic based questions! We are multi-faceted. While a person might be particularly strong in mathematics, he also possesses a range of abilities like playing the guitar or writing fictional stories.
This was a question that bothered Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. He proposed 8 different intelligences to account for our broader range of potential.
The 8 Intelligences:
Visual intelligence
Visual intelligence is connected with lateral thinking and the ability to construct and deconstruct ideas and objects for unique solutions. It is the calibre to visualise abstract ideas.
Linguistic intelligence
Linguistic intelligence is the ability to effectively communicate using spoken and written word. It also helps to learn many languages with ease.
Logical-mathematical intelligence
Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to reason, recognise patterns and logically analyse problems
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence is the ability to perform body movements during sports and dancing. It also encompasses hand-eye coordination.
Musical intelligence
Musical intelligence is the skill of thinking in rhyme and rhythm.
Interpersonal intelligence
Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to communicate well with others, be empathetic and an ability to understand and interact with different people.
Intrapersonal intelligence
Intrapersonal intelligence is the tendency to self-aware and enjoy self-reflection.
Naturalist intelligence
Naturalist intelligence is our ability to be in tune with nature and nurturing and exploring the environment.
So what’s it to you?
While as a culture, on the whole, we have focused only on logical and mathematical intelligence, equal importance must be given to other intelligences as well. All of us possess all eight intelligences in varying amounts, with some, more dominant than others. But nothing is set in stone!
Each and every parent should nurture all 8 intelligences of his child especially when he is young. He must look at holistically developing all intelligences of their toddler at a young age. Only then you can gauge his strengths.
But why bother when he is so young?
When a child is young, he naturally displays his likes, his abilities and inclination without any inhibition. When given a chance to engage in activities that develop all his intelligences, your toddler will showcase his natural bend towards his interests and where his intelligence lies.
Detecting your child’s intelligence later on in life becomes a little difficult when a lot of the spontaneity dies and the multiple intelligences have been pruned by structured school syllabuses, peer pressure and societal expectations.
Efforts taken to expand all of the 8 intelligences when your child is young will bear immense fruit in his later life. If the child is encouraged to do what comes naturally to him from early on, he has a very good chance of selecting a career confidently and leading a happy and fulfilling life.
At Coco Bear, we have developed a range of products that will help develop your toddler's various intelligences and skills. Each age-appropriate product is labelled with the skills it helps develop.
Shop Coco Bear's innovative range now!
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