Harvard Growth Program - Early Childhood Multiple Intelligence Training and Development (0-1 year)

Author: Yuan Aimin / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: Flexible motor intelligence. As the times demand, the education sector is increasingly emphasizing the cultivation of quality talents, making it imperative to provide holistic quality education for infants and develop their multiple intelligences. The previous chapter introduced musical intelligence, and in this chapter, we will focus on the significance of developing bodily-kinetic intelligence in infants and methods to enhance their motor intelligence. Bodily-kinetic intelligence is a crucial component of multiple intelligences and an indispensable part of a child's growth process. Since bodily-kinetic intelligence refers to the ability to use the entire body to express thoughts and emotions, as well as to skillfully manipulate objects with hands, developing this intelligence is of great importance to a child's overall cognitive development.
After birth, babies turn their heads and kick their legs, moving their arms randomly. These movements are whole-body, imprecise, and scattered. Over time, they gradually develop into localized, precise, and specialized actions. Within the first year of life, babies demonstrate significant control and functional characteristics in their motor development. By using their heads, arms, legs, and entire bodies to express themselves, they gain a vital channel for self-expression, self-identity, and confidence during movement, while also experiencing joyful physical and mental stimulation. Therefore, motor development is not only related to a child's physical health but also serves as an important avenue for imagination and innovative activities. The younger a baby is, the closer the relationship between their physical, motor, and intellectual development, as the differentiation between motor skills and cognitive development is not apparent in early infancy. Movement constantly governs and stimulates the baby's neural development. Thus, it is essential to focus on cultivating a baby's motor intelligence from birth.
Motor Intelligence in 0-1 Year Old Babies
Bodily-kinetic intelligence is a vital part of multiple intelligences. Do not underestimate its manifestation in babies aged 0–1 year. In the first year of life, many babies already show strong motor abilities, such as:
★ Around 1 month of age, a baby's neck strength gradually improves. By 3–4 weeks, they can lie on their stomach or on an adult's chest, supporting themselves with their abdomen to lift their head slightly and turn it from side to side. Fine motor skills include moving their hands in front of their eyes and gripping their mother's fingers tightly.
★ Around 2 months of age, a baby's motor skills improve. When lying on their stomach, they can lift their head, and some can even hold their neck upright for a short time. They enjoy playing with their hands and sucking their thumbs.
★ Around 3 months of age, when lying on their stomach, a baby will straighten their legs and lift their buttocks. When lying flat, they can lift their head to see their feet. With adult assistance, they can transition from lying flat to lying on their stomach. At this stage, they can combine their thumb with the other four fingers to grasp objects and accurately judge the position of the grasped item.
★ Around 4 months of age, a baby can roll over from their back and lift their head to sit upright for several minutes. Some can even sit independently for a short time. Their gross motor skills are further demonstrated by lifting their chest and buttocks when lying on their stomach, and by kicking their feet when lying flat. Fine motor skills include grasping toys in front of them, holding a bottle, placing the nipple in their mouth, and practicing picking up objects within reach.
★ Around 5 months of age, if placed on their stomach, a baby will roll around on their own. They can move forward by pushing with their arms and knees, though this is not true crawling yet. They enjoy standing, and with their mother holding their armpits, they can stand very steadily. They can sit up slightly, leaning forward. Their motor development includes grasping nearby toys.
★ Around 6 months of age, a baby's back is already straight, and they can sit up easily while maintaining balance. Crawling becomes more coordinated: they support themselves with both hands in front and use their legs to push backward, while also using their arms as leverage to turn or retreat. When pulled to stand, they will exert effort to balance themselves, and their coordination improves. They can now sit independently and transition between lying on their stomach and sitting up, or vice versa. Sometimes, they will roll on their stomach to find their feet. Fine motor skills include not only using all five fingers to grasp objects but also gradually using the tips of their fingers and thumb to pick up small items, such as candies. They can grasp objects with both hands and even strike objects in one hand against another.
★ Around 7 months of age, a baby can stand with support from furniture, though they may still fall. However, they can now easily transition from lying on their stomach to sitting up and spend more time playing while seated. Fine motor skills include more dexterity in their fingers, allowing them to grasp small objects with their thumb and index finger.
★ Around 8 months of age, a baby can stand with adult support. Fine motor skills include imitating adults by clapping their hands.
★ Around 9 months of age, when lying flat, a baby can sit up by themselves and can sit steadily on the ground to play alone. They can crawl and walk with support from both hands. Fine motor skills include pinching objects with their thumb and index finger, tearing paper, and throwing toys.
★ Around 10 months of age, a baby can stand independently for short periods and stand with support, though they prefer to play while squatting. Fine motor skills include picking up objects, placing them in large containers, and turning the pages of hardcover books.
★ Around 11 months of age, a baby can walk while holding onto furniture. They show great interest in walking. Fine motor skills include arranging objects and then knocking them over, or emptying drawers or trash cans.
★ Around 12 months of age, a baby can walk with one hand or independently, and can crouch forward to pick up objects. Fine motor skills include imitating adults by unscrewing loose bottle caps.
These behaviors can be considered characteristics of babies with strong motor intelligence. Of course, each baby's development level varies, and parents can use the above as a basic reference.
P19-21