Category: Media

Intelligence quotient, or IQ for short, is the relationship between a person’s potential and the statistical normal of all possible results. How is IQ measured? They are tested based on a person’s concrete and abstract reasoning in subject ways, based on age and development norms.

It usually consists of a number of tasks measuring various measures of intelligence. These include short-term memory, analytical thinking, mathematical ability and spatial recognition. However, the purpose of an IQ test is not an attempt to measure the amount of information one has learned, but rather it attempts to measure their capacity to learn.

Not fixed at birth

IQ was initially considered to be genetic and fixed. However, a study at Michigan University revealed that at least one aspect of IQ measure can be improved. The researchers found that fluid intelligence, which is the ability to solve abstract problems without depending on previous knowledge, skills or experience, can be improved with specific and targeted training of working memory.

Understanding and dealing with a wide variety of abstract relationships between concepts, objects and things in our environment – also referred to as relational skill – is necessary for children and adults to function and perform at school, at work and in our daily lives. In academics, relational skills are necessary for math and language skills to emerge. The concept of more than or less than is one example of relational skill needed to understand mathematics.

How can we help our children have better relational skills?

Doing math will help because it develops their ability to notice relationships between numbers. A strong co-relation has also been found between a child’s relational skills and IQ scores. Through math practice, your child not only sharpens their relational skills, they also sharpen their own learning process and capacity to learn.

Building up on intelligence and IQ

A study by Stanford University School of Medicine found that personalised-tutoring, coupled with arithmetic practice helped children to remember better. The findings also suggest that when children are able to solve basic arithmetic problems from memory, their brain is more prepared to tackle more complex questions. So how can we ensure that our children start off with the right foundation?

Find an approach that combines the benefits of personalised training with the discipline of self-learning and self-discovery; an approach that is designed to introduce new concepts in incremental steps to make learning math easier.

However, practice alone is not enough, and practice with little understanding of the concepts can be ineffective. It is the brain storming process; the understanding of concepts, problem solving, critical thinking and logical reasoning, on top of personalised training and practice that deepens and improves their understanding.

Are these processes fostered in your child? Are they engaged in dialogue and encouraged to exercise problem solving, critical thinking and logical reasoning?

If your child has a low or average IQ score, don’t be disheartened.

It does not mean the scores will remain the same. It simply means there is potential for them to do better. Because intelligence and IQ can be improved. All you need is to exercise your brain.

And early exposure to math can go a long way.

Math. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see this word?

Math is usually associated with science, technology and engineering. But beyond the numbers, equations and formulas, the skills and critical thinking required to solve math problems help children master other subjects as well. Math is not just the foundation for careers in science or engineering; it is the pillar of a well-rounded foundation for every child.

Strongest predictor for later success

Want to predict your child’s success as they grow older? Your child’s math skills will be the best gauge.

In a 2007 study on 35,000 preschoolers across the US, Canada, and England, early maths skills was found to be the strongest predictive power for later success. Researchers used three key predictors for later success: school-entry academic, attention skills, socioemotional skills. The result? Learning math skills at an early stage came out as the strongest predictor.

Children become better readers, writers and communicators

If you had to choose between literacy and math for your child to do well in school, which would you choose?

This might come as a surprise, but learning mathematics does not just help children to develop their confidence and basic foundation to succeed in math, it also supports the development of literacy.

When they are able to communicate effectively in and with mathematics, it deepens their mathematical understanding and develops their linguistic fluency such as oral language abilities, vocabulary, critical thinking and grammar complexity. So if your child is exposed to math at a young age, chances are they will be likely to excel in their language too.

Right exposure and support

So how can you ensure that your child has a good understanding of math concepts and skills at a young age?

Give them the right exposure.

Mathematical concepts are built one upon another in a logical, step-by-step progression. When your child is being pushed to learn addition and multiplication before understanding the relationships between numerals and quantities, they may end up memorising math facts.

But when they are exposed to activities according to their ability and developmental level, they can move naturally from one level to the next. They flourish best in linguistically rich and culturally meaningful mathematical activities.

Next, provide them with the right support.

When children are placed in rich learning environments with proper stimulation, guidance and feedback, they are better able to exercise their knowledge and skills. This support can come from yourself, from high-quality early math programs and motivated teachers.

Start early, before it’s too late

Can you recall a time when your baby was able to tell apart two sets of objects with varying numbers? Or how they were able to locate objects within a designated space? Even at infancy, babies are able to display core mathematical abilities.

You don’t have to be an expert at math to infuse math into your child’s life. Here are some suggestions.

Infancy or Toddlerhood

Introduce your child to numbers and counting through reading storybooks, or look out for shapes together around the neighbourhood.

Preschool level

Introduce math-related phrases such as ‘more than’, ‘less than’ and ‘equal to’ by doing activities that involve counting, adding and subtraction. Use toys or objects for these activities. Even if they may not be able to write or recite numbers, they may begin to understand the concept of numbers as early as three years of age.

Primary School level

Show your child that you value math, and when they do well, acknowledge their math achievement. Help them to foster an attitude that being good at math is not about being born smart, but by working smart consistently.

A study conducted by the University of Missouri (USA) revealed that children who do not grasp the meaning and function of numerals before they enter first grade fall behind their peers in math, and most do not catch up. Most of them remained at heightened risk for low scores on math problems through the seventh grade.

All children have the ability and potential to learn and excel in math.

Give them the opportunity to do so today.