Children learn and grow at an amazing rate during middle childhood. They grow physically, emotionally, and mentally. With all these changes, remember that each child is unique and will accomplish milestones at their rate. However, there are certain common concerns to look out for during middle childhood. Children of this age, for example, will begin to establish their distinct interests and hobbies. However, the Middle Childhood Milestones demonstrate a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical progress. They are designed to help parents and caregivers determine if a child is developing normally or if there is a developmental delay. They are also used to guide treatments and aid children not meeting developmental milestones. Notably, the paper explains three views of intelligence: Psychometric theory, Gardner’s theory, and Sternberg’s Triarchic theory, in correlation to the facts on physical and cognitive development.
The psychometric theory of intelligence holds that intelligence assesses an individual’s mental powers and potential. This theory claims that intelligence results from genetics and the environment (Warne et al., 2018). Based on the factual ideas, the theory suggests that;
- Intelligence is a single skill that can be tested and genetically determined. According to Glowiak et al. (2016), intelligence is a single capacity determined by one’s genes; hence, intelligence is inherited and cannot be modified.
- According to this theory, intelligence is a fixed attribute, meaning a person can either have it or not. Intelligence cannot be raised or lowered.
- One’s cognitive abilities largely determine intelligence, including memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. Glowiak et al. (2016) suggest that intelligence is largely determined by one’s cognitive abilities, which means that an individual’s memory, reasoning, and problem-solving skills play a large role in intelligence.
- Intelligence is largely heritable; thus, it is passed down from parents.
People differ in their intelligence based on their capabilities. Garhdner’s hypothesis states that different forms of intelligence may be classified into distinct categories. Linguistic, logical, musical, geographical, physical, and interpersonal groupings are among them (Yücelyiğit, 2020). Each intellect has its own set of skills and talents. According to the facts;
- Gardner’s theory states that intelligence is a collection of abilities that can be develold ped, implying that there is more than one way to be intelligent.
- According to Warne et al. (2018), Gardner’s theory claims that intelligence is a collection of abilities that can be developed, implying that there is more than one way to be intelligent.
- Gardner also demonstrates that intelligence is determined by a wide range of talents, including verbal, logical, spatial, physical, musical, and interpersonal capacities (Yücelyiğit, 2020). There are many distinct forms of intelligence, and each person possesses unique skills.
- Furthermore, Yücelyiğit (2020) believes that intellect is heavily impacted by the environment in which a person is raised. Thus, intelligence is defined and valued differently in different cultures.
Sternberg’s Triarchic theory of intelligence is divided into three parts: componential, experiential, and practical. The componential sub-theory is concerned with the mental processes that underpin intelligent behavior, the experiential sub-theory is concerned with the function of experience in intelligence, and the practical sub-theory is concerned with the role of intelligence in real-world situations (Glowiak et al., 2016). In correlation with the facts;
- Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory argues that intelligence is a cultured talent rather than a single ability.
- The theory also claims that intellect is not fixed but improved through practice.
- Furthermore, Sternberg believed that intelligence comprises three parts: analytical, creative, and practical.
- Lastly, He also believed that intelligence is largely determined by your experiences- meaning it is influenced by the environment you are raised in.
In conclusion, each intelligence concept addressed has a distinctive relevance in middle childhood milestones. The psychometric theory of intelligence may assess a child’s strengths and shortcomings and provide a score on an intelligence test. Sternberg’s Triarchic concept assesses a child’s learning style and problem-solving approach. Gardner’s theory is utilized to determine a child’s many bits of intelligence and how they might be applied in various aspects of their life. All of these theories are utilized to assist a child in understanding their strengths and limitations and help them realize their maximum potential.
References
Glowiak, M., & Mayfield, M. A. (2016). Middle childhood: Physical and cognitive development. Human growth and development across the lifespan: Applications for counselors, 251-275.
Warne, R. T., Astle, M. C., & Hill, J. C. (2018). What do undergraduates learn about human intelligence? An analysis of introductory psychology textbooks. Archives of Scientific Psychology, 6(1), 32.
Yücelyiğit, S. (2020). Middle Childhood Development. In Handbook of Research on Prenatal, Postnatal, and Early Childhood Development (pp. 197-213). IGI Global.
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