Early Detection and Stimulation of Multiple Intelligences in Kindergarten

Abstract

This research aims at detecting and stimulating multiple intelligences of kindergarten children early by applying collaborative action research by academics and practitioners. This research moves from the most fundamental problem in early childhood education activities especially in kindergartens namely the teachers’ mistreatment in learning activities. This research was conducted using collaborative action research between researchers and teachers using a qualitative approach. The subjects in this research were 40 kindergarten childrens in groups 1 and 2. The research results produced multiple intelligences instruments for kindergarten children whose validity and reliability were tested. guidelines for the detection learning model and stimulation of multiple intelligences for kindergarten children. The measuring tool used is a multiple intelligences measuring tool for kindergarten children developed by Lazear (1995) based on four key instruments as follows: (a) Behavior Log; (b) Skill Games; (c) Intelligence Function; (d) Complex Problems and (e) Discovery. Also adopted from the concept of multiple intelligences developed by Armstrong (2004). Result of this research that the average stimulation of multiple intelligences of group 1 was 28.81 and group 2 was 29.38. Group 1 the largest gain was linguistic intelligence (33.84) and the lowest was interpersonal intelligence (23.89). Meanwhile. Group 2 the largest gain was linguistic intelligence (32.27) and the lowest were physical kinesthetic intelligence (24.50).