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Hernando Today

High IQs Highly Overrated; Skills, Habits And Moral Values Are More Important

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By DOMENICK J. MAGLIO, Neo Traditionalist

Hernando Today

Published: March 6, 2009

Updated: 03/06/2009 11:12 am

Certainly in the journey through life IQ score is not a predictor of a successful life. When you see beggars on the side of the road, especially near universities, many of them were excellent students and some even have PhDs. The ability to do well in school is correlated with a high IQ but does not guarantee doing well in the school of life.

In fact, many leaders in business, government and even science fall in the average IQ range dispelling the myth of this test. There are many other variables that play a role in assisting the individual to reach high goals. If a high IQ is as important as some experts preach, we should place these "gifted" people in a protected bubble until adulthood then release them to teach us all.

We all have known students in school who would learn academics effortlessly. They were able to read and easily retain any information. The rest of us were often jealous of their natural gifts. These students usually scored high on IQ, standardized tests, usually obtain honor roll and attend the best classes offered in the school.

Learning about the adult life of these early grade super stars is often shocking and enlightening. When they made transitions in their lives such as moving to senior high school and college or enter the adult workforce, they frequently had serious difficulties. Although they possess superior intelligence, they may have significant gaps since most of their daily schoolwork seems insignificant to them.

Everyone eventually has to rely on more than their innate abilities to overcome challenges and obstacles of life. The habits, skills and values in the past were learned at home now they have to be taught and internalized in school. A valid excuse or not, parents often are too busy making a living or living their personal desires to sacrifice their time to be effective parents.

Modern parents are hiring personal coaches. These coaches come into their homes to assist parents in potty training and sleep training their young children. These parents have been indoctrinated by experts that they should concentrate on developing a child's brightness. This translates into buying the "Baby Einstein" program and pushing the children into trendy interests. Children learn that they only have to do what they like and not do what they do not like.

As the child gets older, the parents often send him to a tutoring center to correct the poor habits he was allowed to develop at home. Rarely do parents attribute their child's academic problems to their lazy parenting of not making the child accountable at home and at school.

In the past parents have had definite expectations for the child as he grew to contribute more to the family by doing chores and doing well in school. This meant parents devoted time to teaching moral skills and habits establishing the foundation of their character. Children often saw this as parents being demanding and nagging villains although these battles paid dividends in school and in life.

Today this parental vacuum is most likely to be fulfilled in high functioning schools through a partnership between parents and teachers. Teachers explain the importance of certain behaviors and attitudes for their student's success in school. The parents learn to expect little things at home that they now realize make a big difference in the classroom. The same message at home and at school places the child on the right track.

•Do it correctly the first time and you don't have to waste time doing it over.

•There are no short cuts in life.

•Organize your area, work desk, folders, backpack and your room so you can easily find whatever you need.

•You cannot arrogantly think you are too smart to have limitations or you will not improve and succeed.

•Take pride in whatever you do since it is a reflection of you. Establish high personal standards.

•You can do whatever you put your mind and time into doing.

•Take personal responsibility for your work at school and at home, never blame your parents, teachers, friends or pets for your problems.

Once basic skills, habits and moral values are ingrained, a student can become a productive self-learner. At this point no one can stop them from reaching their dreams except themselves.

High IQ is a wonderful blessing in a modern society. However, without strong character development intellectual brilliance can fail to thrive. Not finishing work on time, sloppiness, poor organization and arriving late will lead to failure and then alienation.

Research shows that small schools have the best results in educating students. Private, parochial and small public schools are better able to teach students. Greater knowledge and individual time with students allows teachers to concentrate on each and every student's needs. These schools know their students as individuals rather than as anonymous name in rotating class roll books.

Dr. Domenick Maglio, Ph.D., is the author of "Invasion Within" and "Essential Parenting." He is a psychotherapist and the owner/director of Wider Horizons School. Visit: www.drmaglio.com.

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