Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Many important things occur at the end of the school year. Papers are written, content is studied, finals are taken, grades are figured, and report cards are distributed. Desks and lockers are emptied. Bulletin boards are taken down. Whole rooms are closed, not to be opened until sometime in August. What if I suggested that one of the most important things that must occur at the end of the year is something said, not something done? That’s right. Children must hear they are smart so they go into the summer with a positive view of themselves. Last memories of this year will definitely affect next … [Read more...]
How Do We Grieve? Using Multiple Intelligences to Grieve Well and Completely
May 2, 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. — My book about multiple intelligences is titled How Am I Smart? A Parent’s Guide to Multiple Intelligences, but many other titles would have worked. That’s because our intelligences are relevant to so many areas of life. As you know, if you read last week’s blog posts (here and here), grief has been on my mind lately. Would it surprise you to know that understanding how we are smart can help us grieve well? It’s true. And, it’s important because grief isn’t well understood. Too often, people can be made to feel they’re not grieving right. Really? Disappointing. How Do We Grieve? Using … [Read more...]
A Beautiful Tribute Video to Charity Hope Black Hadick
April 25, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Intelligences never work alone. They work in pairs, triplets, and even four or more will work together to enhance our work and life. (Creating a great meal and gathering for friends requires the use of all eight. Maybe I’ll blog about that next week.) Children and adults can choose to support a weaker intelligence by using a stronger one at the same time. For example, if someone isn’t very logic smart, picturing math problems may help. Even using two weaker smarts is better than using one alone. Two strengths used together can be very powerful. An example of this principle of smart integration is the embedded video below. It was created to honor the life of Charity Hope Black Hadick, the daughter of the friend I posted about on … [Read more...]
How Can We Help Children and Teens Use Their Smarts? (Part 2)
March 28, 2012 by · 2 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Last week, I was privileged to teach about multiple intelligences at the Great Homeschool Convention in Greenville, SC. Hundreds of parents were encouraged to look at their children differently. I loved watching their reactions to this refreshing truth. One mom shared with me that she arrived at the convention the day before assuming her son had a learning disability. She thanked me several times for helping her develop a healthier perspective about her son. What a privilege for me! This week, this mom and hundreds of other parents are charged with the task of helping their children believe they’re … [Read more...]
How Can We Help Children and Teens Use Their Smarts? (Part 1)
March 14, 2012 by · 2 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Word smart. Logic smart. Picture smart. Music smart. Body smart. Nature smart. People smart. Self smart. All adults and all children have all eight smarts. Having a smart and using the smart are two different things. How can we help children and teens use their smarts? Affirm children when they do use them. Children may not even know they’re doing well because they used one of their smarts. Complimenting their specific use encourages and empowers children. It can change their identity from “I can’t do this” to “I’m music smart and I can do this!” Compliments for some of the intelligences … [Read more...]
Self-Smart People = Confidence in Their Own Opinions
March 7, 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. — Each of our eight intelligences has value in life and in school. The self-smart intelligence has unique value. Those with this strength are comfortable and confident with their own opinions. They think deeply inside of themselves and reflect on their ideas and what they hear and see around them. They may not highly value other people’s opinions so it’s extremely important that they remain teachable. Do you want and even need quiet, peace, privacy, and space? This would mean you’re self smart. It also might explain a portion of the stress you feel. We live in a loud, hurried, crowded culture … [Read more...]
Logic Smart Kids May Struggle with Spelling
January 25, 2012 by · 4 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Do you know any children who struggle with spelling? I do. I also make spelling errors. Spelling can be confusing if we are logic smart because we think spelling “rules” should work. And, we think one combination of letters should have one sound. Right? Of course. That makes sense! Why don’t break and freak rhyme? Horse and worse? Cord and word? Cow and low? What about comb, tomb, and bomb? Doll and roll? Home and some? Paid and said? (Pay and say rhyme!) The English language is confusing so mistakes will be made. It’s not necessarily because children are not smart. It might be because of … [Read more...]
Hair On Fire
January 4, 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. --- Hair On Fire James confidently walked from his seat to the platform as he does almost every Sunday morning. He grabbed the microphone and made a comment about hoping everyone had a good week. Then, glancing at the worship leader, he continued, “I had such a crazy week that when Kyle sent me an email asking me to help with something, I communicated my busyness by saying, ‘There’s so much going on in my mind, my hair is on fire.’” Because James is bald, most in the large congregation quickly laughed. I didn’t. During announcements, my sister-in-law leaned over and asked, “Did you see … [Read more...]
Multiple Intelligences: Being Intentional With Our Thankfulness (Part 1 of 2)
November 14, 2011 by · 3 Comments
Teaching about multiple intelligences is one of my favorite things to do. people are always encouraged – and that includes the moms who attended the recent Hearts At Home convention. Figuring out how children are smart benefits them and us in numerous ways – primarily because it can help them believe in their abilities to learn and they can choose to invest more energy in school/learning, therefore being more successful. What if we applied our understanding of how children are smart to the theme of gratitude since Thanksgiving is right around the corner? This can work for adults, too. Do you have someone to thank or are you grateful someone is in your life and you want to remind him or her? You can also use people’s smarts … [Read more...]
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