Understanding Spatial Ability, Visual Intelligence that is Important in Everyday Life

Illustration of imagination and spatial ability (Unsplash)

YOGYAKARTA - There are many intelligences possessed by humans, one of which is called spatial ability.

Spatial ability is simply related to a person's intelligence in imagining space or place. This ability is often associated with intelligence related to visual or visual-spatial intelligence. In order to better understand the meaning, read the following article.

Understanding Spatial Ability

In the online Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), spatial is associated with space or place. The meaning of spatial ability is also explained in a scientific paper entitled Spatial Ability (Spatial Ability) written by Lecturer of Mathematics Education at STKIP Sebelas April Sumedang, Toto Subroto, S.Si, M.Pd.

In his writing, Toto Subroto quoted an expert who stated that spatial ability is the ability possessed by a person in correctly capturing the visual space world. People who have spatial ability are able to recognize shapes and objects correctly, make changes and describe an object in their minds, and then realize it.

Spatial ability has many uses. For example, in everyday life, this ability can be used to help erect a pole, install a photo frame to be straight, even predict the movement of dice.

Not only in daily life, spatial ability is also useful to support work professionally. Even some professions such as architects, cartoon design, 3D animated films, or other jobs related to visuals, require this ability.

How to Develop Spatial Ability

According to research published in the Journal of Instructional Mathematics, spatial ability can be taught. Even this ability can be integrated in the formal learning process in schools. Here are some ways that can be done.

Apply spatial language in everyday interactions

This is done by describing the spatial object and associating it in the surrounding environment. For example, parents will mention the field (triangle, parallelogram, and so on) when interacting with children. Later, the child who is learning vocabulary will imagine the shape of the field that his parents mentioned.

Teach sketching and drawing

This lesson needs to be trained from an early age. That way, children are easier to understand the concept of geometry. Use interesting colorful media so that children are not bored.

Play games

There are many games that can be used to train spatial ability, such as block games, puzzles, and board games.

Play tangram

Tangram is a block puzzle in which there are seven geometric pieces such as boxes, parallelograms, two large right triangles, medium right triangles, and two small right triangles. The geometric pieces can be rearranged and become new shapes according to imagination.

Play video games

There are many video games that can help train spatial ability, one of which is Tetris. The game is very helpful for children to develop their spatial ability.

Play origami and practice paper folding

Origami or the art of folding paper involves spatial thinking. People who do origami will imagine various shapes. In addition, origami players will also interpret and carry out origami instructions that are noatebe are areas of geometry.

Spatial ability is a skill that needs to be trained. Visit VOI.id for other interesting information.