Childhood Intelligence
Every child is a unique individual with their own special blend of strengths and abilities. Think of it as each child having a toolbox filled with different cognitive skills, such as verbal comprehension, nonverbal reasoning, and critical thinking, all working together to help them navigate the world around them.
What is Intelligence in Childhood?
“Intelligence” is a term we use to describe a child’s overall capacity to learn, understand, reason, and solve problems.
Intelligence in childhood is more than just memorizing facts or getting good grades.
It’s about how your child processes information, makes connections, and applies their knowledge to different situations. It’s their ability to grasp new concepts, think critically, and find creative solutions.
Factors that Influence Intelligence
- Nature and nurture: Intelligence is shaped by both genetics (“nature”) and environment (“nurture”). While some aspects of intelligence are highly heritable, like fluid reasoning (the ability to think abstractly and solve problems), others, like verbal comprehension (understanding language), are greatly influenced by experiences and learning opportunities. This means that providing a stimulating and supportive environment can have a significant positive effect on your child’s cognitive development.
- A growing brain: A child’s intelligence is constantly evolving. Early experiences, enriching environments, and a growth mindset – the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work – can nurture their cognitive growth.
- Different types of smarts: It’s important to remember that intelligence is multifaceted. Beyond traditional IQ tests, which primarily measure academic abilities, there’s emotional intelligence (understanding and managing emotions), creative intelligence, and many other ways children demonstrate their strengths and talents.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Early labeling: Avoid labeling your child as “gifted” or not solely based on early assessments. Intelligence is dynamic and can change over time. Children develop at their own pace, and early assessments might not capture their full potential. Most intelligence scores stabilize, or level off, by about 3rd grade.
- Comparing to others: Every child is on their own unique developmental journey. Focus on your child’s individual progress and celebrate their unique strengths rather than comparing them to others.
- Overemphasis on IQ scores: While IQ tests like the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC) can provide some insights into a child’s cognitive abilities, they don’t capture the full picture of their potential or skills.
Pearls of Wisdom
- Nurture a growth mindset: Encourage your child to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and believe in their ability to grow and improve. Help them see setbacks as opportunities for learning and development.
- Provide enriching experiences: Expose your child to a variety of learning opportunities, such as reading, playing games, exploring nature, and engaging in creative activities. These experiences stimulate their brain and foster a love of learning.
- Support emotional intelligence: Help your child develop strong emotional awareness, self-regulation skills, and empathy. Emotional intelligence is crucial for navigating social situations, building relationships, and achieving success in life.
- Seek support when needed: If you have concerns about your child’s school performance or cognitive development, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified professional, such as a school psychologist, child psychologist, or pediatrician, for guidance and support.
Understanding IQ Scores
IQ tests provide a standardized measure of intelligence, with an average score of 100. Here’s a general interpretation of IQ score ranges:
- 130 and above: Gifted or Very Superior. These children often demonstrate advanced learning abilities and may benefit from specialized educational programs.
- 120-129: Superior. These children generally have strong academic skills and may excel in various areas.
- 110-119: High Average. These children are often quick learners and perform well academically.
- 90-109: Average. Most children fall within this range, and schools typically gear their instruction towards these abilities.
- 80-89: Low Average. These children may require some extra support in certain academic areas.
- 70-79: Borderline. These children may face significant learning challenges and may require specialized educational services.
It’s important to remember that IQ scores are just one piece of the puzzle and should not be used to define a child’s potential.
What’s the Best Time to Get an IQ Test for My Child?
Like most aspects of psychology, it depends.
In my experience as a psychologist, I see the highest scores at about four years old, just before entrance to kindergarten. Most psychologists hypothesize that the reason preschoolers are likely scoring a bit higher than elementary kids is due to their comparative experiences at that age. That is, across the country a four-year-old child’s education will look pretty different from peers. Some four-year-olds are in preschool and some are not. Some will have parents that are able to read to them every night and some will not.
Therefore, kids from more enriched environments are likely to score higher on standard measures of intelligence as compared to kids without that experience. However, upon entrance to elementary school, most kids will have a relatively similar education to peers. Over time, the IQ scores tend to ‘regress towards the mean’ which is another way of saying ‘start looking more like other kids.’
If parents are looking to understand a child’s innate abilities, an earlier IQ test might be best. If parents are looking to see whether the child needs extra help at school, a later IQ test would be more relevant.
Embracing Individuality
Every child is unique and possesses their own amazing potential.
By fostering a love of learning, providing a supportive environment, and celebrating their individual strengths, you can help your child thrive.
A Journey of Growth
Intelligence is not a fixed trait but rather a journey of growth and development.
With nurturing, encouragement, and a belief in their abilities, children can reach their full potential and shine brightly in their own unique ways.
Book resources on intelligence in childhood
Carroll, J.B. (1997). Psychometrics, intelligence, and public perception. Intelligence, 24, 25-52; p. 44
Colorado Department of Education: Office of Gifted Education (2016). Gifted identification. CDE: http://www.cde.state.co.us/gt/giftedidentification
Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented (CAGT) (Retrieved 2017): http://www.coloradogifted.org/
And for the gifted spectrum: http://www.coloradogifted.org/glossary.html
Eide & Eide (2006). The mislabeled child: Looking beyond behavior to find the true sources—and solutions—for children’s learning challenges. Hyperion, NY
