Question: There are so many enrichment classes for children these days. Do they make a difference to a child's intelligence?
A child's potential is already pre-determined.
However, nurture, which refers to the environmental factors, can impact his learning ability. Some of these factors include good nutrition, adequate sleep, physical and mental stimulation.
Enrichment classes do give children an advantage as exposure to educational materials can encourage familiarity as well as proficiency in specific learning tasks. However, if too much time is spent on these additional classes at the expense of physical exercise, relaxation and creativity, the child may not develop as a well-rounded individual.
Often, people use IQ tests as a measure of intelligence but such tests do not give a comprehensive gauge of a child's other abilities such as emotional quotient, determination, perseverance or the ability to defer self-gratification.
All these qualities are also critical to a child's future succcess in life.
A child's potential is already pre-determined.
However, nurture, which refers to the environmental factors, can impact his learning ability. Some of these factors include good nutrition, adequate sleep, physical and mental stimulation.
Enrichment classes do give children an advantage as exposure to educational materials can encourage familiarity as well as proficiency in specific learning tasks. However, if too much time is spent on these additional classes at the expense of physical exercise, relaxation and creativity, the child may not develop as a well-rounded individual.
Often, people use IQ tests as a measure of intelligence but such tests do not give a comprehensive gauge of a child's other abilities such as emotional quotient, determination, perseverance or the ability to defer self-gratification.
All these qualities are also critical to a child's future succcess in life.
Taken from ST May 22, 2011
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