Guide to Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) Theory

For Primary School kids

What Is CHC Theory?

CHC theory is the scientific map of human intelligence. Instead of saying someone is “smart” or “dumb,” it breaks intelligence into specific abilities you can measure and improve.

Think of intelligence like a toolbox. CHC theory lists every tool, what it does, and how well you use it.

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Your Brain Has Special Powers!

Imagine your brain is like a superhero with different powers:

The 10 Brain Powers:

1. Knowledge Power

• Knowing stuff about the world

• Like: What dinosaurs ate, how to tie shoes, why the sky is blue

2. Reading & Writing Power

• Understanding stories

• Writing your ideas down

• Spelling words correctly

3. Number Power 🔢

• Counting, adding, taking away

• Knowing that 2+2=4

• Solving word problems

4. Puzzle Power

• Figuring out new problems

• Seeing patterns

• Thinking “What happens if...?”

5. Remember-Right-Now Power 💭

• Remembering your teacher’s instructions

• Holding a phone number in your head

• Following a recipe step-by-step

6. Learning-New-Things Power

• Your brain saving new information

• Like learning friend’s names

• Remembering what you did yesterday

7. Finding-Memories Power

• Getting information back out of your brain

• Remembering what you had for breakfast

• Thinking of words quickly

8. Seeing Power

• Understanding pictures and shapes

• Knowing if something looks wrong

• Finding hidden objects

9. Hearing Power

• Understanding what people say

• Recognising sounds and music

• Knowing if two words rhyme

10. Speed Power

• How fast you can do easy things

• Reading quickly

• Spotting differences between pictures

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│     YOUR BRAIN’S TOOLBOX 🧰         │
├─────────────────────────────────────┤
│ 🧠 Knowledge    │ 📚 Reading        │
│ 🔢 Numbers      │ 🧩 Puzzles        │
│ 💭 Remember Now │ 🌱 Learn New      │
│ 🔍 Find Memory  │ 👀 Seeing         │
│ 👂 Hearing      │ ⚡ Speed          │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

The Important Bit: Everyone has all these powers, but some powers are stronger than others. That’s normal! You might be really fast at reading but slower at maths. Or great at puzzles but need more time with spelling.

Why It Matters: When you know which powers are strongest, you can use them to help with harder stuff. If you’re good at seeing patterns but struggle with spelling, you can use pictures to remember tricky words!