MEMAHAMI INTELEKTUALITAS ANAK: STUDI ATAS FAKTOR-FAKTOR PENUNJANG PERKEMBANGAN INTELEKTUAL ANAK DAN IMPLIKASINYA

Abstract

Children’s intellectual development refers to cognitive abilities that include understanding, analyzing, and evaluating information acquired through experience and interaction with the environment. A proper understanding of children’s intellectual development is essential for teachers and parents to provide appropriate stimulation. This study aims to examine the factors influencing children’s intellectual development, the challenges encountered, its implications for behavior and educational processes, and efforts to optimize such development. The method employed is a literature review by analyzing various relevant sources and research findings in the field of education. The results indicate that children’s intellectual development is influenced by physical and psychological maturity, physical experiences, logical–mathematical experiences, socio-cultural environments, and the process of equilibration through assimilation and accommodation. The challenges identified include delays in cognitive development and misconceptions resulting from inaccurate information. The implications of intellectual development are reflected in children’s behavior and the need for educational services that are aligned with learners’ developmental stages. Therefore, efforts to enhance children’s intellectual development should begin in early childhood to ensure optimal development.