OPTIMIZING MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THROUGH THEMATIC LEARNING IN EARLY GRADE STUDENTS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Elementary school education is part of the national education system that has a very important role in improving human resources. Education in primary school aims at equipping learners’ knowledge, skills, attitudes of and optimizing their intelligence to optimally develop. Elementary school, especially in early grades is one of the most important periods for a child due in the golden age during which children’s potentials are growing very fast. However, the implementation of the previous curricula tends to focus merely on cognitive aspects. This intends to build a high IQ generation, even though IQ does not necessarily guarantee success in the future life. Therefore, learning in primary schools should not only develop IQ, but also EQ and SQ. Thematic learning is one of the integrated learning models using the theme as a unifying means for linking multiple subjects. Thematic learning is student-centered learning whose development should pay attention to the students’ characteristics, potential, and interests. The theme used should be actual, close to the children, and linked with everyday life so that it can optimize the entire intelligence and provide meaningful experiences to the students. Keywords: elementary students, thematic, multiple intelligenc