Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — One of the best ways to discover the power of our eight intelligences is to think about one topic with all of them. You’ll see how much more complete your understandings become. Using all eight smarts usually increases motivation, too. Back in June, I demonstrated that in this post using a pine cone as the thing to think about. Because more than one example is helpful, here’s a brief look at using all our smarts when learning about volcanoes: Word - write a story or make a speech Logic - list 10 questions and find answers to at least 3 Picture - watch a video Music - write a poem or song … [Read more...]
Motivating Children is Not a “One Size Fits All” Situation – Part 2
January 16, 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. — When children misbehave or lack motivation, sometimes consequences help them improve. Both punishments and rewards can help. They’re most effective when both are used and when they’re related to the issue you’re hoping changes. As I pointed out in last Wednesday’s post, matching incentives and negative consequences to children’s smarts can also be effective. “One size fits all” does not work. Last week, I explained how to consider a child’s word-smart, logic-smart, picture-smart, and music-smart strengths when setting consequences. Today, I’ll cover the other four. Body smart: They … [Read more...]
Motivating Children is Not a “One Size Fits All” Situation
January 9, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Encouraged. That’s how I feel when pondering the reality that God generously created us with eight different intelligences. After years of studying, writing, and teaching about this topic, I’m still in awe of God’s choice. Our smarts help us and our children in so many ways. We can learn and study with all eight and learn to communicate in a variety of ways. They can also help us when disciplining children and motivating them to be successful. Sometimes children need more than our words and teaching to help them behave in proper ways. Consequences (punishments and rewards) may be necessary. … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #43: What’s going to be left when you’ve left?
November 30, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — What’s going to be left when you’ve left? Did you notice, perhaps with announcements on Facebook, that Zig Ziglar passed away? He’s known as the Master of Motivation, Ambassador of Hope, and Mentor to Millions. I’ve read several of his 30 books, heard him speak live several times, and even been privileged to share a devotional with him and his staff many years ago. When you pass away, will enough people care that your passing will be announced? What are you known for? What do you want to be known for? What do you want to be remembered for? What will you be remembered for? Are you purposefully influencing people now? If you’d like to watch … [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...]
“My Very Own Octopus” – Revealing the Picture Smart Mind
October 3, 2012 by · 5 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — When I speak about multiple intelligences, there’s probably more laughter during the picture-smart part of my presentation than during any other part. I usually tell my audience about a book by Bernard Most called My Very Own Octopus. As soon as I say the word “octopus” those who have picture-smart strengths see it. They don’t have to be told to see it. They don’t have to work to see it. They just see it. That’s how the picture-smart mind works. Because of my logic-smart strengths, I immediately think of questions to ask. Word-smart people immediately start talking – in their head to … [Read more...]
Being Strategic with Our Smarts
August 22, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — People have the capacity to develop all eight smarts. That’s one of the reasons multiple intelligences is an encouraging learning and teaching Model. Each can be strengthened after they’re awakened. (Read about awakening them here and here.) After each of the eight intelligences is awakened, some will naturally evolve into strengths. Others may need to be helped along. I’m not implying that every smart will be a super strength, but each can be strengthened so it’s not a drawback. How, exactly? As you’ll see, you need to be strategic, but this doesn’t necessarily take a lot of work and … [Read more...]
Joy and Gratitude are Essential for Authentic and Healthy Living
August 13, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — On a scale of 1-10, how much joy do you have? Do you live with consistent joy or is it circumstantial? Are you joyful only when things are going well? What about gratitude? Are you consistently grateful or not? Would you give yourself a score of 4 or 7 or something else? Why do gratitude and joy matter? Certainly there are many reasons. One is that they’re proven to increase the likelihood that children/adults will have self-respect, self-control, and respect for others. Why does that matter? Again, there are many reasons: These children will have greater self-security. Therefore, they’ll take healthy risks and … [Read more...]
Strengthening Smarts + Olympics = Winning Combination!
August 1, 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. — Last week, I wrote about the reality that intelligences can be paralyzed and I mentioned that I’d write this week about how to strengthen each smart. This is important to do. Rarely, if ever, will a smart become a child’s natural strength simply by awakening it. Even if it’s never paralyzed, it’s wise to strategically interact in such a way that each smart is strengthened. But, here’s my dilemma. I’d like to write about the Olympics and I forgot they’d be taking place when I committed to writing about strengthening the smarts. What if I can do both? Yes, I think that’s possible. You … [Read more...]
Finding One’s Purpose is Powerful
May 14, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Purpose matters. It’s powerful. Directive. Encouraging. Hopeful. Steadying. Motivating. Engaging. Without purpose, we flounder. Question. Doubt. Disengage. Wander. Stop. Die. Tyler was a college freshman at Cedarville University and like so many others, unsure of what to do in the future. General education requirements were his course of study. Nothing excited him. He had no passion for anything, but other students did. This just added to the pressure he felt to figure things out. At yet another meeting with his advisor, Tyler wisely told him that he likes to draw. He didn’t think it was that important, but it … [Read more...]
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