Many years ago, children labeled themselves with terms that indicated how "dumb" or "smart" they were thought to be. Much of this labeling occurred in schools. The main source of evaluation of these educational institutions was the ability of students to perform in a role. As you all know, this type of evaluation has had many problems and limitations. But at the time, many students with unusual great abilities were labeled as fools. This was especially true where children had different ways of approaching, understanding, and solving problems. Fortunately, today it is recognized that there are different types of intelligence and many different ways that children can express their abilities.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Assess Your Child's Abilities and Intelligence
Step 1. Have your child take an intelligence test
Enroll your child for a formal IQ test with a professional. These tests are designed to get a general idea of a child's intelligence. In this sense, intelligence is defined as the cognitive abilities and the speed at which a person processes information. Essentially, these tests measure intelligence in a broad sense, not general knowledge.
- If you decide that you want your child to take this test, do so knowing that it is only a form of assessment used to analyze natural abilities and talent.
- Understand that intelligence tests do not provide a complete or accurate reading of your child's abilities. Therefore, they should be used in conjunction with other assessment methods to determine the full picture of your abilities.
- Understand that intelligence tests have been criticized as biased towards certain cultural and ethnic groups, and should be done in the language the child is fluent in.
Step 2. Sign your child up for an aptitude test
These tests are another type of formal assessment to determine natural abilities and talents. They are used to measure a person's ability to develop skills or mastery in certain tasks or subject area. In this sense, many aptitude tests are different from intelligence tests in that they provide a better idea of your child's abilities to master certain subjects, skills, or ways of thinking.
Step 3. Check your child's grades
Take some time to gather your child's current and past grades to evaluate. Look for patterns over time in certain subjects, such as English, math, science, and social studies. This will give you an idea of your child's skills and abilities. However, when reaching a conclusion about your qualifications, remember that while they offer insight into your abilities, they also reflect other factors:
- your interest
- the teacher's skill
- the moment and environment where the subject is presented.
Step 4. Talk to your child's educators or caregivers
No matter what grade your child is in (kindergarten, preschool, or elementary or middle school), their teachers and other supervisory figures can provide you with insight into their interests and abilities. After all, teachers and caregivers (depending on the setting) may be spending more educational and counseling time with your child than you.
- Schedule a meeting with your teacher or caregiver.
- Ask about your child's interests and abilities.
- Ask if this person thinks there is a reason why your child masters a certain area and not another.
Part 2 of 3: Exploring Your Child's Talents and Interests
Step 1. Sign your child up for different extracurricular activities
One of the best ways to discover your abilities is to explore and participate in a wide variety of totally different activities. To do this, you can resort to formal or informal means. In this way, you will not only be able to see how he performs in different situations, but you will also be able to observe what interests him the most.
- Consider enrolling him for physical, artistic, and intellectual activities.
- While you can suggest options, reconsider the activity if she refuses.
- Getting your child to do a lot of extracurricular activities is a good thing, but make sure they don't have too many commitments and still have time to remain a child.
- Make sure he plays with peers and friends from different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. You never know; perhaps someone from a different background can present an activity in which your child excels.
Step 2. Watch your child play
Take some time to pay attention to how he plays and what he does. Don't assume that their game is trivial or insignificant. A child acts and plays in ways that may reflect different natural and individual interests, intelligence, and abilities. Keep these tips in mind as you watch him play:
- Keep a journal of interesting things he does. What characterizes your games? Is it thoughtful and deliberate or theatrical and emotional? This can give you insight into their abilities.
- Think about the relevance of the topic or profession he adopts during the game. If you like to order your Lego by color and plan the construction down to the smallest detail, you may have natural organization skills.
- Look at the different types of play. Pay attention to how he plays with other children.
Step 3. Talk to your child about his likes and what he thinks he's good at
At times, your child will articulate his best insight into his abilities. Don't discount the fact that your talents are known and understood better than anyone else. At the very least, you'll know what you like and dislike, which is often just as important as your natural talent.
- Ask him which academic subjects he is doing best in and which ones he likes best. Make sure you differentiate between enjoyment and talent.
- Ask him if he thinks he's good at any sports, and which ones he enjoys the most.
- Ask him if he thinks he has good art skills and if he enjoys art activities.
- Keep in mind that he may not be able to express what he is good at. However, if you enjoy certain activities, you could target certain talents that you are not aware of.
Part 3 of 3: Thinking About Different Kinds of Intelligence
Step 1. Learn theories of types of intelligence
In the early 1980s, Howard Gardner began to change the world of education by publishing his book called "Theory of Multiple Intelligences." At first, his theory established seven types of intelligence. He believed that each person varies by experiencing and expressing intelligence in different areas. Identified areas involved in the brain by mapping brain activity and, as observed in wide cultural acceptance of the different abilities or intelligences, and distinguishing people's reactions, interest and ease of use of concepts related to these intelligences.
Step 2. Analyze your child's visual spatial ability
Think about whether he has excellent visual and spatial skills. People who have this highly developed ability may not demonstrate excellence in other types of activities, but they excel when they focus on those that are highly visual. Those with this type of intelligence can follow certain professional paths with great success. Please note the following:
- Does your child design things, look at maps, draw, or scribble?
- You may enjoy activities that allow you to create models or charts.
- Perhaps you have a burgeoning career as an architect or graphic designer.
Step 3. Think about your interpersonal ability
Interpersonal intelligence is defined as the ability of a person to socialize and interact with others. Not everyone has this ability. If your child has strong interpersonal skills, you can enroll him in different programs that cultivate this gift. Please note the following:
- You may enjoy organizing or leadership efforts.
- See if he is interested in certain extracurricular activities, such as Model United Nations or student government.
- Perhaps you may have a career in sales, leadership, or politics.
Step 4. See if your child has intrapersonal intelligence
People with intrapersonal intelligence are very good at understanding themselves and their motivations, and are often introspective in finding direction and guidance. Children with intrapersonal intelligence may be more introverts than extroverts, and may not be as interested in group activities or socialization as others.
- If your child demonstrates intrapersonal intelligence, he may be interested in self-taught learning, reading, and cause-and-effect analysis.
- Perhaps you have the gift of writing or thinking. Enroll him in a creative writing program or encourage him to start a compilation.
- Don't discourage their self-study activities. Maybe you just want to understand the world on your own terms.
Step 5. Determine if he is a mathematical or logical thinker
Mathematical or logical thinkers are often very deliberate in their thinking. They reason things out, calculate activities, and consider consequences. If you think this is the case with your child, be sure to cultivate his skills. Please note the following:
- Do you think in an abstract sense?
- Do you like to explore the connections between things and people?
- Maybe you like to experiment with things and solve problems.
- Perhaps you can have a career as a scientist or a mathematician.
Step 6. Determine if he is a kinetic body thinker
These people have a high level of control over their body, hand eye coordination, and range of motion. They can handle tools and objects with precision and skill. Also, keep the following in mind:
- Do you like to build things by hand and can you use them accurately?
- Kinetic body thinkers communicate and learn well through physical activity.
- Children with this type of intelligence can be good at things where they can use their hands or build things. They can be surgeons, mechanics, or sculptors.
Step 7. Evaluate if your child has linguistic intelligence
People with linguistic intelligence demonstrate great control over words and language. They can express their ideas well, learn by listening and reading, and often enjoy communicating with others. Don't mistake linguistic intelligence for a problem child who answers. Maybe you just want to learn or communicate.
- Children who are language learners may like to write, recite poetry, speak in public, or read.
- Your son may be a politician or a poet.
- To cultivate his skills, enroll him in activities where he can write, read, or act.
Step 8. Evaluate if your child has musical intelligence
People with musical intelligence are extremely sensitive to sound, rhythms, and all things sound. They tend to be attracted to music and musical things.
- Does your child show a fascination for music?
- Can you skillfully play musical instruments or sing in perfect pitch?
- Consider enrolling him in music classes or have him join a choir or band at school.
Advice
- These steps are not tailored on a highly scientific level nor are they a narrow analysis of your child. The more you watch him play and perform activities, the more accurate your evaluation will be. However, even with this, it is important that you be flexible about your conclusions, since they are approximations, and should be taken as fuzzy.
- A child's abilities and strengths will fluctuate as he grows and develops. Encourages appropriate exposure and development of all intelligences at their level, and expresses only light and soft emphasis. Never insist or show much disappointment. Instead, keep things more relaxed and relaxed and less formal until she picks out areas of personal interest.
Warnings
- There are other methods of measuring intelligence, skills, and especially comparative achievement that are often ranked comparatively and academically, such as standardized tests. A method should not be used exclusively.
- No form or set of intelligences is superior to another. Each intelligence can lead to progress, success and achievement if it is recognized, accepted, emphasized, developed and channeled appropriately.