A parent anxiously goes up to an early years practitioner during an open afternoon. She is desperate for information. Not about what her three-year-old has been doing, his friends or favourite games, but about his intelligence. She wants to find out whether or not he is likely to pass the school entrance test when he is 11.
Sadly, this is not a scenario from a bygone era. Today, testing has become a significant part of children's lives and up and down the country. A child's secondary education will be influenced by the results of their tests.
What is intelligence?
A good starting point for parents such as this anxious mother is to understand that the whole notion of 'intelligence' is not only complex, but very controversial. The words 'bright' and 'able' are frequently bandied about throughout the education system, but what do they really mean?
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Unlimited access to news and opinion
-
Email newsletter providing activity ideas, best practice and breaking news
Already have an account? Sign in here