Assessment of Intellectual Abilities

I was studying the above mentioned topic as part of my Personality & Individual Differences module, when I came to realise that I have a really wise and smart mother. Despite not being highly educated (no degree or whatsoever), she was definitely not an ignorant woman.

In fact, I just came to realise how well informed she was of the different visuomotor and cognitive skills that are essential for the development of a child. A lot of the test items that I see in my lecture notes for the assessment of intellectual abilities are similar to those which my mum had let me practised and worked on when I was much younger. Quite a number of them fall under the subtests of Perceptual Reasoning and Processing Speed. [On hindsight, my mum didn't train me much on Working Memory. Maybe that explains why I am so forgetful.] To some of my classmates, it was something novel.

My mum always emphasises on the importance of general knowledge and encourages me to read up widely. On top of splurging on a few full set encyclopedia for me (when I was a kid), she subscribes to Newsweek, The Reader's Digest, National Geographic and The Economist. Though I enjoy reading them, I thought little of how it will have an impact on me (apart from increasing my general knowledge and not being a frog in a well) until I realise (from my lecture) that it is a subtest of an intelligence assessment.

Looking back, my mum had put in a lot of effort in my development to not only groom me as a fine and presentable individual but also one with intellectual abilities. Suddenly, I feel so guilty and ashame of myself for underachieving. If I were to put myself in her shoes, I will feel as though what I reap doesn't seem like what I have sowed.

Dear Mummy (though you probably wouldn't read this because I never told you the existence of my blog, however if you happen to chance upon this one day, some day), I will like to tell you that I really appreciate your efforts and I will try my best to do you proud. I will let you feel that all that you have done and invested in me from the day I was born, is worthwhile. I will. Just wait and see =)

Love,
Yours Truly.