Recognising and nurturing children's intelligence outside academics

Recognising and nurturing children's intelligence outside academics (Photo: iStock) The Kenyan educational system and people have, for a long time, implied that for one to be considered intelligent, they have to excel in academics. This has led to frustration and diminished self-esteem among students described as average academically. However, children have all manner of talents and natural gifts that go unnoticed or ill-nurtured due to this erroneous view of the cognitive facet of intelligence. Many a time we were whooped for running very fast, playing football all day, swimming in the river, singing loudly, doing back flips or high jumps and even creating make-believe calling devices. It is hoped that the competence-based curriculum will enable children of the future to express themselves holistically in terms of natural intellect and not just in academics. The concept of intelligence in psychology is multifaceted, encompassing various cognitive abilities and skills. It refers to the ability to learn from experience, adapt to new situations, understand and manage abstract concepts, as well as manipulate one's environment. This emphasises problem-solving, critical thinking, and rapid learning and comprehension of complex ideas. One of the early theorists is Spearman, whose research posited that individuals who excelled in one area of intelligence testing tended to perform well across various domains, suggesting an underlying common factor. His contemporary, Howard Gardner, identifies several distinct types of intelligence, including linguistic and musical. Another famed scholar in this area is Sternberg, who came up with three models of intelligence in the areas of analytical, practical and creative intelligence. According to Howard, individuals can exhibit Linguistic Intelligence, enabling them to use language effectively for communication, understanding, and expression; hence, they excel in reading, writing, and verbal skills. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence enables one to analyse problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and engage in scientific reasoning, while those with Spatial Intelligence can visualise and manipulate objects in space, enabling them to think in three dimensions, hence are good at tasks involving design, architecture, or navigation. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence enables the use of one's body skillfully for expressive or goal-directed purposes; think of athletes, gymnasts, dancers, and surgeons who coordinate physical movements effectively. Musical Intelligence enables one to recognise and compose musical pitches, tones and rhythms. One excels in singing, playing instruments, or composing music. Interpersonal Intelligence enables one to understand and interact effectively with others. This includes recognising others' emotions, motivations, and desires, making it crucial for roles in teaching, counselling, and leadership. Intrapersonal Intelligence is the capacity for self-awareness and self-reflection, enabling one to understand own emotions, motivations and goals, leading to effective behavioural regulation. Naturalistic Intelligence is the ability to recognise and categorise plants, animals, and other aspects of the natural environment, hence important for roles such as biologists or environmentalists, proving that we are intellectuals in one way or the other. - The writer is a licensed psychologist/psychiatrist/clinical officer and lecturer at KMTC Meru Campus

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