Education must aim at the overall development of a child. Education must help children to evolve in different life forms and adapt to diverse environments. Survival of the fittest is Darwin's theory and education must guide children for this survival and reproduction.

Intelligence:

A very confusing and judging factor.

Children are often measured, weighed, criticized, appreciated, rebuked, and praised based on grades or marks.

But what is Intelligence?

Human intelligence is associated with the capacity to think, observe, perceive, reasoning, planning, creativity, problem-solving, and adaptive behaviors.

Psychologists have highlighted different types of intelligence which a parent and teacher must have knowledge of. These different types are essential for a child's growth and for safer societies. It's the responsibility of parents to expose children to other areas of life than just academics. Smart work needs to replace hard work, the dignity of labour respected, sports and arts embraced.

Major types of intelligence:

1) Intelligence Quotient (IQ):

IQ is measured in terms of grades.IQ is a measure of your level of comprehension in academics but understanding the perspective of life is also important. Parental pressure, unnecessary comparisons, unhealthy competition, increasing suicidal rates based on academic stress, and poor mental health can be related to grades termed as intelligence. This so-called intelligence is make human beings very weak. Children with high IQ may also face problems with relationships or are getting immune/overreactive to feelings or emotions.

This raises the question - Is IQ enough for the growth of a child? Definitely no.

Just as a balanced diet is required for physical health, balanced mental health is required for his well-being and stable growth.

2) Emotional Quotient (EQ):

It's emotional balance. It deals with understanding your emotions and knowing the feelings and emotions of theirs and other people too. This creates respect for each other.

It creates optimism in life. Maintains emotional balance rather than emotional damage. It helps respect boundaries, be considerate, and honest, love yourself and others. A child with high EQ is overloaded with empathy and kindness. They do not judge or criticize anyone.

3) Social Quotient (SQ):

It helps build a network of friends and relations and maintains it over a long period of time. People with high SQ show loyalty, trust, love, respect and can protect themselves and others. They can be looked upon in times of need and distress. We can find them in both happy and sad moments of life. They reach out selflessly and voluntarily for supporting others. They focus on the positive side of people and life. They have high self-esteem. They throw unconditional love and leave footprints wherever they go.

4) Spiritual Quotient (SPQ):

They enjoy beauty and serenity. They embrace the mystic world. They love to walk and talk in nature. They appreciate every small thing in life. They remain calm in every situation. They celebrate success and failure equally. They can find peace and calm in any place. They are far from chaos and confusion. They grow silently just as a plant grows. They believe in consciousness and humanity. They enjoy music and art. They always carry a pot of values with them.

5) Adversity Quotient (AQ):

Over the last decades, this intelligence has gained much importance in the goals of education. The present GenZ needs it in plenty. AQ means the ability to stand in adversities or failures without losing yourself or your mind and confidence. AQ determines in adversities who will remain balanced or you become a slave to drugs/alcohol or commit suicide People with low AQ cannot handle people or situations. They harm themselves or others. People with high AQ never give up in spite of several blocks in life. They know how to handle people and situations. They are always balanced. Emotional breakups don't damage them. 

Apart from these, this list can add some more types of intelligence. Psychologists request parents to explore even these types of intelligence in their children.

1. Logical or numerical intelligence: Math smart/very calculative
2. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: physically smart/action hero.
3. Verbal/linguistic intelligence: word smart or communication power/player of words.
4. Musical/poetic intelligence: Music smart.
5. Interpersonal intelligence: People smart
6. Intrapersonal intelligence: Self Smart
7. Spatial intelligence: Smart observer
8. Naturalistic intelligence: Nature smart

Education must cater to all these needs. If it is done we need not fight for Climate change or search for peace.

Holistic classrooms must be created. SKILL development along with aesthetic values must be upgraded. Children must know to appreciate and value even small things in life. They must find beauty in ordinary things like butterflies, birds, fishes, green grass, blue skies, sunrise, sunset, the beauty of waves, etc. Let him be a bit dirty, a bit louder, a bit messier. Let him be a child. Then we can find the world a better and safe place to live and we can find the real sense of humans. This intelligence differentiates us from other living forms.

Pragna - A Sanskrit word for intelligence, wisdom, and understanding defines intelligence as immense Shakti or energy. So let the child grow with his intelligence and freedom not defined or dictated by parents, curriculum, or society.

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References:

• www.wired.com
• www.cnbc.com