development initiation from the stage of
early childhood from neonatal period to 5 years
of age. This critical period is proved to have
highest rate of development. If the child is raised
under a sound and proper environment in
accordance with psychological principles and other
relevant principles, such child may be fully
developed to the most extent of his/her potential.
With respect to theories and body of knowledge
regarding child and brain development including
research papers relevant to early childhood, it can
be concluded that the most significant and critical
period for brain development is during the first 5
years of one’s life (Educational Policy and Plan
for Early Childhood 2002 - 2006:1). Piaget
stressed that development rate of intelligence
depends on a chance of interaction to an
environment. Appropriate arrangement of
environment and experiences which can support
development of pre - school child is therefore a
significant thing to do as most of development
and growth of human brain will occur during the
first 6 - year of life. (Prattana Nachaisith 1983 :
112) The intelligence development comprises
many significant components and spatial ability is
one of those as Thurstone said that human brain
power and ability can be divided into many
factors. In particular, it comprises 7 abilities i.e.
verbal meaning, word fluency, numerical
reasoning, inductive reasoning, perceptual speed,
memory and spatial ability (Luan Saiyos and
Angkana Saiyos 1984 : 30; citing Thurstone. 1958
: 121). It is the same for concluded Gillford’s
structure of intelligence which concluded that
there are 180 distinct mental abilities and among
those abilities are about spatial abilities (Wiruth
Wannaruth 1996: 113 - 114). In addition, the
Theory of Multiple Intelligencers by Gardner
(Gardner. 2000 : 1 - 2) differentiates human
intelligence in to 8 aspects, namely, linguistic
intelligence, logic/mathematical intelligence, bodily
kinesthetic intelligence, musical intelligence,
interpersonal intelligence, interposal intelligence,
and spatial intelligence. Moreover, a paper by
Yaowaphan Timthong (1992: 83 - 84) studying on
intelligence development of early childhood by
applying spatial ability learning games and found
that such games can satisfactorily develop early
children’s intelligence.