Personal (Intrapersonal) Intelligence in Children

Personal or intrapersonal intelligence is one of the nine important types of intelligence that children should develop. This type of intelligence helps children control their emotions, overcome challenges, and acquire new information.

According to the website raisingchildren, children with strong personal intelligence are able to understand themselves, recognize their desires and capabilities, and use this knowledge in their daily lives. Skills related to this intelligence include self-confidence, flexibility, self-discipline, perseverance, openness to new ideas, ability to handle distractions, and time management.

Why Is Enhancing Personal Intelligence in Children So Important?

Personal intelligence improves a child's ability to understand their own emotions and control them. It also involves understanding others’ behaviors, motivations, and intentions, enabling children to work effectively with others and adjust their goals and responses to changing personal and internal circumstances.

Children in early childhood may struggle to control their emotions or express anger and frustration properly — for example, by throwing tantrums or refusing to share because they are treated the same way by friends. Developing personal intelligence enhances their ability to understand and regulate their emotions.

How to Improve Personal Intelligence in Children

It’s important to develop a child’s intrapersonal intelligence so they can understand themselves and act effectively. Here are some ways to help:

• Involve Your Child in Scheduling:
  If your child tends to avoid tasks when there are many things to do, invite them to create a schedule with commitments and promises. This helps children remember all the tasks they need to complete. Including fun activities in the schedule reminds them there are enjoyable things to look forward to besides studying or chores.

• Always Give Your Child Time to Relax:
  Set aside special time for your child to relax and reflect. This helps them learn to recognize and accept their thoughts and feelings consciously, without getting caught up in negative thoughts or self-judgment. Feeling mentally and physically strong boosts their inner determination, making it easier to overcome difficult situations.

• Develop Your Child’s Empathy:
  Increasing your child's empathy toward others helps them align better with their own emotional experiences and also fosters self-compassion. Developing empathy and self-awareness makes it easier for children to recognize their weaknesses. Children tend to believe that most people, including themselves, try their best with the resources they have.

• Encourage Your Child to Keep a Journal:
  Writing a journal helps deepen emotional connection with oneself by providing a tangible record of thoughts and feelings to look back on. Journaling also offers a space to track important goals, emotions, and daily experiences.

• Try New Experiences:
  Trying something new can be scary for children. On the other hand, sticking to the same routine may limit their ability to find effective alternatives that meet their needs. Success in new experiences can boost confidence and motivate continued exploration. Learning from failed attempts teaches resilience and perseverance.

• Discuss Your Child’s Goals:
  It is important for a child to have both short- and long-term goals. Achieving smaller goals, like breaking bad habits or reading a book monthly, can empower children to reach bigger, long-term goals.
  Discuss your child’s achievements and help increase their self-awareness and courage to take bigger steps. Ask about their future dreams and help them set goals and plans to achieve them.