Think your child is not gifted? Think again. Giftedness
is an often-misunderstood concept, and most people equate giftedness with
academic achievement. But, according to the National Association of Gifted
Children (NAGC), gifted individuals are those who demonstrate outstanding
levels of aptitude (defined as an exceptional ability to reason and
learn) or competence (documented performance or achievement in top
10% or rarer) in one or more domains. In other words, giftedness is “a
complex and multifaceted concept that can manifest in various ways” ([1]).
In this post, we'll explore the different intelligence
domains, helping you better understand and support your child's unique strengths.
Authoritative academic sources (see, e.g., Howard Gardner's Theory of
Multiple Intelligences [2]) recognize as many as nine types of intelligence.
More generally, the intelligence domains can include intellectual intelligence,
creative intelligence, emotional/social intelligence, kinesthetic intelligence,
and spatial intelligence. In this blog post, Gardner’s nine intelligence types
are consolidated for clarity and cohesion.
A rough probability analysis makes it clear
that, assuming the intelligence domains are independent, if a probability of
not being gifted in a particular domain is 0.9, then the probability of not
being gifted in any of the five domains is 0.9*5, or 59%. That means (at
least in the perfect world where all children have equal access to skill
development resources) that four in ten (or two in five) children can be top
performers in at least one of the five intelligence domains. That’s a high
number!
In reality, because intelligence domains are
not fully independent and because no measure of aptitude or competence is
perfect, the math is a bit more complex: for instance, one study analyzed several
definitions and numerical cutoffs for giftedness and found that differing
definitions and identification methods significantly impact the percentage of
students identified as gifted, ranging from 1.4% to 37.4% [3].
The bottom line: giftedness has many faces.
Let’s explore some of them.
Intellectual Giftedness (e.g., Gardner’s
logical/mathematical, naturalist, spiritual/existential intelligence)
Intellectual giftedness is perhaps the most
recognized form of giftedness. Children with intellectual giftedness typically
excel in academic settings, demonstrating advanced reasoning, problem-solving,
and critical thinking skills. Intellectually gifted children often grasp
complex concepts quickly and may exhibit a strong desire to learn.
Creative Giftedness (e.g., Gardner’s
linguistic, musical intelligence)
Creative giftedness is characterized by
innovative thinking, imagination, and/or artistic expression. The term can also
refer to exceptional abilities in generating ideas, products, or solutions
through various forms of expression, including art, music, writing, or
problem-solving. Characteristics of creative thinkers can include openness,
inventiveness, distractibility, intuition, and individualism [4].
Social-Emotional Giftedness (e.g., Gardner’s
intra-, inter-personal intelligence)
Some gifted children possess exceptional
emotional intelligence and/or social skills. Emotional intelligence is the
ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to
relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome
challenges and defuse conflict [5]. Gifted children with high emotional
intelligence may demonstrate empathy, leadership abilities, and a deep
understanding of human relationships.
Kinesthetic Giftedness
Kinesthetic giftedness is characterized by
exceptional physical coordination, balance, and movement [6].
Spatial Giftedness
Spatial giftedness involves the ability to
visualize and manipulate objects in space.
Recognizing spatial intelligence can improve outcomes in STEM education,
enhance problem-solving skills, foster creativity, and support diverse learning
styles [7].
Helping your Child Discover Unique Strengths
Understanding the various intelligence domains
is crucial in providing effective support for your child. Parents should
consider providing ample opportunities for children to practice skills in
different intelligence domains and closely observe outcomes to identify areas
where their children are passionate explorers and/or strong performers.
Examples of steps parents can take include:
- Providing opportunities for
exploration and discovery
- Encouraging creative outlets and
artistic expression
- Fostering emotional intelligence
through socialization and empathy-building activities
- Collaborating with educators to
develop tailored learning plans
- Celebrating your child's unique
strengths and accomplishments
Conclusion
Giftedness is a multifaceted concept that
encompasses a wide range of abilities and talents. By recognizing and embracing
the various modalities of giftedness, you can better support your child’s
unique needs and help them thrive.
References
[1] National Association for Gifted Children.
(n.d.). What is Giftedness? Retrieved from https://nagc.org/page/what-is-giftedness.
[2] Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of Mind: The
Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books.
[3] McBee, M. T. (2019). The Quantitative
Implications of Definitions of Giftedness. Gifted Child Quarterly, 63(2),
93-109. Retrieved from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2332858419831007.
[4] Shenfield, T. What is Creative Giftedness,
and How Can Creativity Be Nurtured in Gifted Children? (2021). Retrieved from https://www.psy-ed.com/wpblog/what-is-creative-giftedness-and-how-can-creativity-be-nurtured-in-gifted-children/.
[5] Segal, J. What is emotional intelligence
(EQ)? (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/emotional-intelligence-eq.
[6] Gardner, ibid.
[7] Scientific American. (2010). Recognizing
spatial intelligence. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/recognizing-spatial-intel/.
