August 11th 2023.
In recent years, getting into the best primary and secondary schools has become increasingly competitive and many parents are feeling the pressure. To get their children into the top schools, a trend has emerged in early education: the tick-box approach. This approach involves parents and educators emphasizing a checklist of superficial achievements and activities in order to get their child into a prestigious school. While the goal is to benefit the child, the approach can take away from the child's individuality and holistic development.
That is why we have identified another approach - Howard Gardner's theory of multi-intelligence - which is more balanced and beneficial for the child. This concept of multi-intelligence recognises and celebrates the fact that children possess diverse forms of intelligence such as linguistic, spatial, logical, musical, kinaesthetic, naturalistic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Parents and educators can tailor their programs and teaching methods to the individual strengths of the child.
So how is this approach better than the tick-box approach? Firstly, it will help create an authentic application for the child. Schools and universities are looking for genuine applicants and the multi-intelligence approach allows the child to dive deeper into their field of interest and strengths which makes the application look more attractive. Secondly, it encourages the child to explore a wider variety of interest areas and develop a diverse skill set. The checklist approach is limited and does not allow time for the child to go deeper and develop to their full potential.
Thirdly, this approach is associated with long-term success. The tick box approach can make the child seem like a jack of all trades, but the multi-intelligence approach will help the child become a master of few and create long-term success. Fourthly, it reduces stress and helps develop a positive self-image. The traditional checklist approach often leads to issues of self-image, self-worth, stress and anxiety, but allowing children to choose something they are interested in will help them develop a positive self-image and take pride in their achievements. Lastly, this approach is more child-centric. The tick box approach can become a way to gain bragging rights for parents, compromising the child's personal growth. With the multi-intelligence approach, the child is in the driver's seat and can explore various areas at their own pace.
For children to truly excel, they need to explore freely and playfully. As parents and educators, our goal should be to help our children explore a spectrum of avenues and make room for changes in their interests. By shifting away from the tick-box approach and embracing the multi-intelligence perspective, parents, educators, and admissions committees can create an environment where children thrive and develop into well-rounded individuals.
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