Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Last week, I finished an eight-week series about our intelligences where I detailed them for you. The last two are people smart and self smart. A combination of these two in your top four can be internally challenging. Therefore, I’m reposting a slightly edited blog from a year ago. As always, I hope it’s helpful. Share it with others who would benefit. All adults and children have the capacity to develop each of the eight smarts. Some will be stronger than others. Some may remain weak. But, we can and should use them in combinations so even weak intelligences don’t have to hold us back. One of … [Read more...]
Security & Freedom
April 22, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Security. Protection. Shelter. Safety. Refuge. Retreat. Defense. Safeguard. Sanctuary. Guard. Sure. Supported. Safe and sound. Trustworthy. Freedom from harm, danger, fear, hurt, wickedness, abuse, wrong, injury, Freedom from hopelessness, hurt, disaster, suffering, pain, damage, worry, trouble. Freedom FOR truth, belief, joy, hope, confidence, love, contentment, purpose, Freedom FOR happiness, playfulness, growth, peace, pleasure, blessings, anticipation. God. Jesus. The Holy Spirit. Forgiveness. Salvation. Security. … [Read more...]
Jesus Erased our “Certificate of Debt”
March 27, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — We’re going to take a week off from the series about individual smarts. Rather, I’d like to share a beautiful example of involving people’s picture-smart and body-smart intelligences when wanting them to grasp a point. In the past weeks, I explained much about being body smart here and picture smart here. Last Sunday, my Pastor Dr. Stephen Lowrie, taught from Colossians 2:8-15. He titled his message “Nailed to the Cross.” During his entire message, in the center of the sanctuary, on the floor, was a large cross with a brief message nailed to it. This immediately engaged our picture-smart … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 5 – Body Smart
March 20, 2013 by · 4 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Each of our smarts, or intelligences, is born into us, but must be awakened by meaningful encounters with people and/or things. My body smart, or bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, was awakened when my parents enrolled me in ballet and tap dance lessons when I was about six-years-old. Prior to dance class, I was certainly moving, but I was clumsy and unsure of myself. Dancing increased my confidence and coordination. I went from taking lessons to becoming an assistant teacher. When I got older, I especially enjoyed softball and racquetball. I also spent years on drill teams and in marching bands. These … [Read more...]
Introduction: 5 Core Needs (Video!)
February 14, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
We have, for a while now, started a video resource titled "Kathyisms." I have decided to bring those videos here for our blog readers every Thursday and this is our inaugural post! Enjoy! In today's video Dr. Kathy introduces us to a video series discussing our 5 Core Needs. We all have them and understanding them can build healthy self-confidence and lead to a well rounded life. Check it out and please click the various "share" options at the top and bottom of this post to help spread the word among the social networks. Thank you! … [Read more...]
Today’s Tragedy In Connecticut Compels Intentional Interaction with Our Children … Now
December 14, 2012 by · 1 Comment
The Newtown Connecticut shooting is a tragedy. Absolutely. As of this writing, I believe 18 children and 8 adults were killed. We can’t control what happens to our children. You’ve known that. Today’s trauma just drives that home. Many times trying to control our children backfires. Too many demands and they rebel. Too many boundaries and they won’t know how to be free. They may not know they can be free. They may have no confidence. They’ll actually be more insecure. It’s the very opposite of what you want for them. We can control how we behave toward our children. And, other children, too. Know them. Respect them. Interact with them. Comfort them. Like them. Love them. Honor them. Affirm them. Spend time with them. … [Read more...]
Studying With All 8 Smarts
November 14, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — As the semester continues, are you hearing more complaints from your students or children? Are they less motivated to complete their homework well than they were when the school year began? Is it harder to get them to focus and persevere? Remember that studying and practicing with all eight smarts helps motivation and comprehension. It can also enhance memory and, therefore, the application of truth. Depending on what’s being learned and studied, all 8 could be used for quick repetition in one study session. It’s also wise to use them over time. Children can use one-two each night when reviewing … [Read more...]
Personal Liberation for A Constrained Picture Smart Person
October 24, 2012 by · 7 Comments
I’ve invited Randy Thomas to write today’s blog. Do you remember in last week’s post, when I mentioned a friend who doodled as a child and now creates art from similar doodles? That’s Randy. Randy is also the talented person who takes my words, titles them, adds the pictures, and launches them here. He’s perfectly smart to do this well! I think you’ll enjoy learning what it meant to Randy to find out he is smart because he doodles. He’s not just artistic or creative. He’s smart. There’s power in that word. Being picture smart means he processes ideas differently from me. I’m not sure I can relate, but that’s okay. The fact that we’re smart differently actually enhances our working relationship. Take it away, … [Read more...]
Invest in the Process of Celebrating Your Children
October 10, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — If children struggle academically they’re sometimes offered extra help at school. Parents may pay for special testing and then tutoring designed to increase achievement. What about music? “Tutoring” isn’t the right thing to think about. Lessons might be. When my parents were alive, they were sometimes asked what they did to cause both my brother and me to “turn out so well.” People may have pointed out that both Dave and I have earned Ph.Ds, were devoted to God, involved in church, healthy, and generally doing well. My mom and dad hemmed and hawed and never really knew what to say. One … [Read more...]
Learning From the Olympians
July 30, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Are the Olympics about security, identity, belonging, purpose, or competence? They’re about all five. The athletes must be secure in themselves – their talent, experience, and training. Self-doubt will only distract them. They must be secure in their coaches and teammates. Doubting their sincerity and support would be disastrous. They must also be secure in the judges or they wouldn’t have gotten this far. To be distracted by coaches or the system wouldn’t bode well. Their identity is clearly wrapped up in their sport and their excellence within their sport. That’s understandable and essential for this … [Read more...]
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