Lessons In Intelligence From a Two-Year-Old

Recapturing Childlike Wonderment

When Marcus aka Gregory Maidman first posed the question, “What is the most important form of intelligence?” with his “Prompts to Illuminate Your Spirit” article on Illumination, the first thing that came to mind was spiritual intelligence. However, that changed after spending the day with my incredible two-year-old grandson and my Mom, his Gigi.

My grandson greeted me at the door with his incredibly sweet dimpled smile and an excited “Come here!” as he simultaneously grabbed my hand to lead me down the hallway. His half-dancing quick steps instantly activate my inner child’s playfulness.

The source of his glee was the leaf blower. Yes, the leaf blower. We have had a game since last spring, where he would lift the heavy adult size tool, point it at me, pull the trigger, and I would fall as if being blown over by the wind. The infectious giggling turned laughter fills the room.

Continually, I am in amazement at his intelligence. He figured out all the childproof devices early on, and he actually closes the safety latch on the dishwasher or the refrigerator if he finds it open. But I digress.

As the battery died, he came and grabbed my hand again and led me to the cabinet doors on the antique sewing machine. Gently, I said, “No, sweetie,” as he tried to remove the hair tie used to secure the doors. He ran back down the hall saying, “Gigi, help.” My Mom explained the battery charger and backup battery were inside the cabinet. “Oh, my!” I thought and went back to open the cabinet. He changed the battery, and off he went on more adventures.

Later that evening, I returned to check on my Mom, and out comes the blower again. My grandson grabbed my shoe and put it on the blower to send it flying. “Oh, that infectious giggle again and dimples deep!”

His following actions were the light bulb moment for me. He set the blower down and looked into the end of the tube — almost measuring the opening with his eyes. He walked over to the table, picked up a Kleenex, bounced it in his hand as if to weigh it, walked back to the blower, and stuffed it into the end of the tube. His delightful laugh filled the room as he sent the tissue flying through the air. You could feel his pride soaring along with them.

While this appears to be a simple, playful game, it updated my answer to the most important form of intelligence.

Mirriam-Webster defines intelligence as the ability to gain and apply knowledge and skills. Every person has that ability. Suppose you do a google search of the different bits of intelligence. In that case, I believe it is vital to balance intelligence, from emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and the host of other multiple intelligences you can find in a single Google search.

Creative Intelligence is the Most Important Form of Intelligence

Childlike wonderment is a lesson in creative intelligence combined with present moments: the smiling eyes, the contagious giggles, and the determination to figure things out. Before rules, limiting messages, and book learning and grades take hold.

When I say creative intelligence, it doesn’t mean just the arts. It’s about creating new ideas, problem-solving, and thinking things through.

The APA Dictionary of Psychology defines creative intelligence as the skills used to create, invent, discover, explore, imagine, and suppose. How can we grow or use the other forms of intelligence if we don’t have creative intelligence first?

Creative intelligence is where questions get answers and more questions arise. Remember, I said I learned this from a two-year-old. All the articles I read about re-parenting ourselves, adults tired of adulting, and honoring our inner child. I believe we all know this is important, but might be too afraid to admit it.

Thank you, @Marcus for starting this train of thought with your question. I will also add Ravyne Hawke monthly prompt “Out with the old, In with the new” and Diana’s weekly prompt, “How old would you be if you didn’t know your age?”

Today, at this present moment, I would be two years old. Exploring my creative intelligence alongside my grandson, throwing out the rules of perfection, remembering what’s truly important to me, and allowing more playtime to create, invent, discover, explore, imagine and suppose all the possibilities!

How can you honor or grow your creative intelligence?