All kids are smart

A father got a call from a high school guidance counselor a few days after his daughter took the entrance exam. “Your daughter passed the test with an almost perfect score.” The father was obviously delighted with the news. He was doubly thankful to find out that his daughter would be on full scholarship because she graduated valedictorian in her elementary class.

“If you don’t mind my asking,” the father asked the guidance counselor, “what kind of exam did my daughter take?”

“Oh, the entrance test dealt with your daughter’s intelligence on Math, Science, English and Abstract Reasoning.”

“Did you have any essay question pertaining what’s inside her heart?” the father asked.

Hesitantly, the school official said, “I’m afraid that is not part of the test.”

“Oh, if only you added that question, then you would say that my daughter’s score in the exam was more than perfect,” said the father before he respectfully hung up.

Clearly, the point of the father illustrates that a child’s intelligence is not only based on the child’s mental ability to solve a difficult mathematical problem or his or her ability to rattle off his knowledge on natural sciences. Is being smart all about excelling in academics? No. At the end of the day, emotional intelligence is also factored in.

Scholars and scientists have long found out that there are other ways of being smart. One kid may not be good in numbers but he can best express himself in the arts. Another child may labor hard enough to remember that a capybara is the biggest rodent in the world but he will always remember why it is important to have a big heart all the time. Why so? Intelligence is not the monopoly of everything that can be quantified. There are multiple intelligences.

It helps to realize that being smart is every kid’s business. And being smart means knowing that there are multiple intelligences. 

At the launch of “MI Galing Mayroon Ako Niyan,” an advocacy of San Miguel Pure Foods Corp. (SMPFC) on multiple intelligences, a clearer portrait of a smart kid was defined. The launch of the advocacy, done in partnership with the Department of Education and Marylindbert Intl., was led by SMPFC president Francisco “Butch” Alejo III. 

According to reports, a cognitive and education professor at the Harvard University named Howard Gardner developed a theory of multiple intelligences in 1983. In his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Gardner actually classified them into nine specializations that one person can have in abundance: linguistic intelligence, logic or mathematical intelligence, naturalist intelligence, kinesthetic or body intelligence, rhythmic or musical intelligence, spatial or visual intelligence, interpersonal or people intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence and cosmic or existential intelligence.

Linguistic intelligence is a kid’s innate ability to learn the nuances of the language including syntax and grammar. Logical or mathematical intelligence is one’s supreme ability to deal with numbers and reasoning. Spatial intelligence is the immense sensitivity to understand images and directions.

Musical intelligence is all about the gift of rhythm and the ability to analyze tones and pitch. (It is said that international singing sensation Charice, who is in the middle of a controversy now, is touted as musically intelligent not only because of her beautiful, powerful voice but also because of her ability to sing the notes of any song in her head while adjusting the notes to make her own interpretation. She rehearses in her head and when she opens her mouth, what she practiced silently is what she will actually give her listeners.)

Body-kinesthetic intelligence is the ability to control body movement with grace and flair. It is said that a child is considered “body smart” if he or she does extremely well in sports, dancing or any activity that demands physical strength, agility, coordination and stamina. A child possessing body intelligence loves to play and win in competitive games and enjoys physical exercises. He or she is always on the go, lively and vibrant.

Interpersonal intelligence is shown by a smart kid who exhibits leadership qualities.

Intrapersonal intelligence is the inborn talent of a person who is good at self-reflection and who displays talent in setting goals and achieving them. It is the ability of the kid to withstand challenges.

Naturalist intelligence is displayed by an individual who understands with ease the natural world — from biology to zoology, anthropology to geology.

And lastly, existential or cosmic intelligence is shown by people who have a massive understanding of life, death and after-life.

“We believe that everyone has his own smarts. Every kid is blessed with multiple intelligences. At SMPFC, we want to play an active role in helping discover, explore and develop these intelligences in the child’s everyday activities, and so the MI Galing advocacy was born,” says Alden Castañeda, SMPFC vice president for corporate innovations group.

The MI Galing advocacy is already in 127 public elementary schools nationwide. These schools are given workbooks and learning materials that deal on comprehensive programs on multiple intelligences.

Every child should be encouraged to know that he or she is really smart. The roles of parents and teachers become fundamental in this pursuit because they are the ones who will tell the child on which areas he or she excels, what skills he or she has to focus on and develop further.

With multiple intelligences, no kid should be left behind.  At the end of the day, being smart is every kid’s birthright.

(For your new beginnings, please e-mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com. I’m also on Twitter @bum_tenorio. Have a blessed Sunday!)