Learning the Facts about Learning

A recent meta-analysis suggests that the beneficial effects of interventions to raise intelligence in young children fade over time. It urges that a critical assumption long held - that increases to intelligence are permanent - be questioned and rejected.

Can we become smarter? -  Interesting Article from the New York Times.

OECD study found that overexposure to computers and internet causes educational outcomes to drop. Read article from the BBC.

Interesting findings of what works in education - findings from the United Kingdom. Read www.bbc.com/news/uk-30210514

Success in life is more than academic prowess. Click to discover real stories from Singapore. In a system where academic success matters, what happens if you fail your Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE)? “Don’t Call Us Beaten” captures life in two schools that offer these kids a second chance. Watch their struggles and triumphs with teachers who won’t be beaten by failure.

Social-Emotional Skills or Emotional Intelligence (EQ) - Good Predictor of Test Anxiety and Kids' Future

Parents often expect their children's social-emotional skills or Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to develop intuitively but will invest a disproportionate amount of resources to develop skills and techniques in the academic areas of Mathematics and Science or Sports even though research has shown that higher emotional intelligence is related to lower test anxiety among students.

In addition, researchers at Penn State University also found that kindergarteners' social-emotional skills are a significant predictor of their future education, employment and criminal activity. It is clear that helping children develop these skills increases their chances of success in school, work and life. Click to read article.

13-year-olds in US distressed by virtual addiction to smartphones, CNN study finds. Singapore study shows six out of 10 children here hide their online activity or cover their tracks from their parents. The importance of Digital Detox for holistic wellness?

Can Brain Training Make You Smarter? Getting smarter empowers you to succeed in life!

Today we live in a knowledge economy, where most of the good jobs require critical thinking, the ability to learn and communicate and understand complexities. Factory work is disappearing. Getting smarter empowers you to succeed in life.

“And so what (if you have a high IQ)? Those are just numbers on a test. In the end, for all of us, the best test of cognitive abilities is one for which there is no answer key. It’s called life.”

Meeting other people facing serious cognitive problems, reminded me that intelligence is a matter of profound, real-life importance. Even though intelligence tests can be a useful indicator of abilities, the tests themselves are not the point. This new field of science (of brain or cognitive training) is aimed at helping people handle life better.

Source: Scott Barry Kaufman, Scientific American

Celebrating Giftedness - Intellectual, Leadership, Art, Music, Sports

All children with advanced development require comprehensive diagnosis and early intervention in order to develop all of their capabilities. This is the primary purpose of gifted testing rather than simply to obtain a numerical score. Read some stories of gifted children assessed at Gifted Academy, Singapore - (i) youngest MENSA member in Singapore (ii) Smartest kid? (iii) Gifted? (iv) The 5 Show 2015.

The Ministry of Education's (MOE) Gifted Education Programme (GEP) caters to the needs of intellectually gifted children in Singapore schools. Other than in the intellectual area, giftedness also shows itself in different ways - Leadership as well as talents in Art, Music, Sports or in specific areas such as Physics, Singing and Chess.

2 degrees, flies planes, author, works at NASA. His age? 17 - Article from Associated Press.

High IQ - MENSA Singapore Admissions Test

MENSA is the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world. It is a non-profit organisation open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardised, supervised IQ test or other approved intelligence test. Below are the two ways to qualify for admission into MENSA Singapore:

(1) Take the MENSA Singapore Admissions Test (MSAT), or

(2) Submit a qualifying test score from another approved IQ test.

Read some stories of gifted children assessed at Gifted Academy, Singapore - (i) youngest MENSA member in Singapore (ii) Smartest kid? (iii) Gifted? (iv) The 5 Show 2015.

Source: MENSA Singapore

IQ Testing - Understanding the Value of IQ & Cognitive Assessments and Learning

The value of IQ tests and the purpose of IQ or cognitive assessments by qualified or registered psychologists have often been misunderstood. The following guiding principles may be helpful in avoiding misunderstanding on the value of IQ or cognitive profiling tests:

• IQ test scores are used to describe a person's current cognitive profile and learning potential, not a numerical score to stigmatise or label. IQ scores are never an end in itself. The multi-dimensional aspect of intelligence is much larger than what can be captured through IQ tests alone. Nevertheless, the IQ test scores do reveal the cognitive skills profile and patterns of strengths and limitations in all of us. Read some stories of children assessed at Gifted Academy, Singapore - (i) youngest MENSA member in Singapore (ii) Smartest kid? (iii) Gifted? (iv) The 5 Show 2015.
• A high IQ test score does not necessarily equate life success, although it may be a relatively good predictor of academic achievement. Other factors such as personal integrity, emotional intelligence, resilience, leadership, motivation, attitude, sustained effort, personality and timely opportunities are also critical for achieving future career and life success.
• For the more enlightened, IQ and/or cognitive testing has often been an empowering experience. Test scores are useful for parents to facilitate a better understanding of their children's cognitive strengths and weaknesses objectively, explaining their potential instead of being a stigmatising label, be it intellectual giftedness or otherwise. 
• Similar to the usual routine visit to your licensed doctor to obtain your health profile, IQ testing is like a visit to a registered psychologist to obtain one's cognitive profile. For oneself, the more we appreciate our own cognitive strengths and limitations, the better we can leverage or manage for personalised success. For parents, with new and deeper insights of their children's cognitive profiles, they can now make more informed decisions about the appropriate choice of schools as well as to invest in talent development, brain training or academic programmes to nurture their children holistically and realistically. Remember, it is only wise that "diagnostic assessment" should always inform and come before "programme prescription", and not vice-versa.
• Finally, before you invest time and money, be sure that the IQ test or cognitive assessment is conducted by reliable and experienced qualified registered psychologists and internationally recognized by the relevant professional psychological associations / governmental authorities / hospitals / schools. After all, the IQ or cognitive profiling test is merely a tool and a tool can only be as good as its user, that is, the attending psychologist.
• Otherwise, it may be futile to undergo IQ or cognitive assessments with unqualified practitioners which may neither be valid, reliable or recognised. Worse of all, you may risk getting an inaccurate or invalid cognitive profile of you or your child and may unintentionally do more harm than good. You and your child definitely deserve more! 

Dyslexia Test Singapore - What Are the Signs that Your Child May Require Testing for Dyslexia?

Although dyslexia may feel like a label, it may be more helpful to think of it as an explanation to better understand your child's academic struggles and predicament. In fact, research shows that early identification and intervention helps your child cope better in school. For parents, the dyslexia test or assessment by qualified or registered psychologists for your child may be the most important first step in helping your child to deal with the academic challenges in school. The key to learning success is finding the instruction and support that best meets your child's individual needs. Click here to learn more about helping your dyslexic child! Adult dyslexia assessment is also available for students, aged 17 to 24 years, who are enrolled in schools / ITEs / polytechnics / universities.