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Parents often expose our kids to different Enrichment programmes, hopping to identify kids’ strength and passion at an early age. Some popular curriculum might be ballet, piano, swimming (very popular after Joseph Schooling’s gold ), or advanced skill sets from linguistics or cognitive.
Parents hope to expose our kids to multiple enrichment programmes, perhaps our kids will then be passionate in one of the activities.
But do we really know what our kids want? Are they mature enough to articulate their own interest? Do they even want any extra classes in the first place?
Most of our kids love sports, and all are undergoing swimming classes. Besides sports, their interests vary.
No1 (13 years old) is a book worm, No2 (11 years old) loves arts, No3 (9 years old) and No4 (7 years old) are still exploring. Well, No4 loves to eat and is less enthusiastic on sports :p
I am happy to let my kids express their own interest. Generally, I do notice the younger kids will be influenced by their older siblings.
We did sign up some of them for arts classes, but not many exhibits the patience to finish their artwork. My girl signed up for ballet for only 2 terms and decided to drop off.
If we understand the kids’ strength and passion earlier, we might be able to match them to a more suitable activity and perhaps let them engage in their favourite subject and grow up confident (ie less trial and error)
They will grow up to new industries and job designations (Big Data, Social influencers and internet-related careers).
Sometimes, I still ponder whether my kids would be equipped for the “future’. Will they have the right skill-sets and mindsets to strive for their own dreams?
I came across UOB’s new campaign “Kidsmart Programme” recently, kids can assess their aptitude and interest via a MIDAS™ (Multiple Intelligences Developmental Assessment Scales).
We can discover our child’s unique smarts (and capabilities) via “UOB.com.sg/kidsmart“. UOB can then offer their suite of financial products to help nurture the kids, perhaps via enrichment or plan their education earlier.
For parents who are interested, do participate in UOB’s online survey, review the findings with UOB, and let them help with your child’s development.
“MIDAS is an aptitude assessment tool created by Dr Branton Shearer, Ph.D. in 1987 as a means of enhancing a person’s intellectual performance, career development and personal satisfaction, based on the theory of Multiple Intelligences developed by Dr Howard Gardner, Hobbs professor of cognition and education, Harvard Graduate School of Education.” – UOB
MIDAS do not measure intelligence by IQ alone, the tool assesses multi-dimensional aspects of intelligence.
Some of the SMARTS which our kids might exhibit (not necessary academic) are categorised into 8 distinct forms of intelligence. (Click this link for definition to the 8 Types of SMART)
Survey results might help parents better understand and relate (or apply) a child’s skill-set and abilities.
Parents might have more insights into child’s SMARTS and maybe his or her potential career and education pathway.
Example, if child is equipped with “Body Smart”, he or she might have the attributes to be a good athlete.
Personally, I prefer to engage my kids to lead a healthier lifestyle. Through sports, I hope to build resilience and independence into them. Both these attributes will be beneficial in life and can help mold their characters (read about our hiking stories).
With MIDAS’ profile, I might encourage him or her to explore more sports to find their own niche. Table below indicates some of the activities and programmes which might be suitable for those with “Body Smart”, plus UOB cardmembers will get to enjoy discounts for selected enrichment classes.
(You might wish to know there is a full MIDAS assessment worth $90, offering more in-depth analysis, and UOB customers can get the profile for free. You can head down to UOB to meet up with a banker to get the guide/complimentary access)
As parents, we recognise that kids learn and absorb differently. Some learn through images, some are good with words. Some relate to music or body actions. My girl might be People-Smart as she likes to boss others around (she exhibits empathy and has good PR skills too). Nature Smart is something new to me, appreciation of flora and fauna.
As a parent, I would like to see my child excel in his own sphere of interest. He need not be a doctor, lawyer, but I would like him to pursue something close to his heart.
This is also in line with Singapore’s SkillsFuture programme. We hope everyone will be encouraged to keep on learning in life, and there are many paths to success.
Interested to find out more about your kids’ potential? Or perhaps curious to discover whether you understand your child? Do give Uob.com.sg/kidsmart a trial 🙂
With that said, while KidSmart Programme’s prediction might give certain results, parents might wish to keep their options open and let their kids explore their own interests.
Through my kids may display potential in Body Smart and Logic Smart (example), that does not mean I should not expose him to Music Smart.
As my kids mature and grow, their kids’ interests and passions might change year to year, and a second assessment might even display different SMART.
