Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — Her questions were heartfelt. She really wanted answers. She needed answers. “I am not interested in music or art. I’m not smart in these ways. What about my preschool sons? Do I need to make sure they’re smart in these ways? How can I do that since I’m not?” Whether this mom needs to or not is an individual decision. If the smarts were word and logic, I’d say absolutely because of their importance in school. I think for most people, whether their children need the other smarts depends on the parents’ experiences, strengths, and goals for their children. Because my parents were both … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 8 – Self Smart
April 17, 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. — Howard Gardner’s research that determined we each have eight intelligences has certainly encouraged thousands and thousands of people. I’ve enjoyed writing about each of the eight intelligences in detail these past two months. Today, we finish this series with details about self smart, or intrapersonal intelligence. Although last in our list, it’s not last in importance. The importance of each is determined by our call, passions, and purposes. For some people, this intelligence is key to their success so they’d rate it high in importance. Others wouldn’t. As I explained in their posts, word … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 7 – People Smart
April 10, 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. — I sometimes joke that people-smart children go to school for their friends and teachers get in their way. People laugh. It’s not exactly true. It’s close, though. People smart, or interpersonal intelligence, is the seventh of our eight intelligences I’m presenting in this series of posts. As with the other smarts, everyone has at least some of it. It may be your strength and your child’s strength. Or, it may not be. Those of us with people-smart strengths think with other people. We talk even more when we get excited. You know you’re people smart if your ideas are clarified … [Read more...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 6 – Nature Smart
April 3, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — “It sure is ugly outside today.” “What do you mean?” “You know. It’s so cloudy and foggy. It’s dark and the air just looks heavy today.” “It’s just another kind of beauty.” “What?” “It’s just another kind of beauty.” A friend and I had this conversation. I’m the one asking “What?” with disbelief in my voice and a perplexed expression on my face. My friend is so nature smart that she sees beauty in it all. Because of her, I’m more nature smart then I used to, but I’m still not as nature smart as she is. Nature-smart children would rather be outside than inside. … [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...]
Explaining Our Smarts Part 4 – Music Smart
March 13, 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. — We determine how strong people’s intelligences are by looking at both how much interest they have and how much ability they demonstrate. Both are essential for an intelligence to be strong. Interest in music is high in our culture. Just look at the number of iPods in use, the number of people who have downloaded music to their phones, and the number of iTunes accounts accessed regularly. But, not all the people listening to music have music smart as a strength. Are they interested in a variety of musical styles, are they open to discovering new styles and musicians, and do they remember music … [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...]
Count Your Blessings
November 28, 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. — Do you feel yourself reacting to different situations with your intelligences? The more you become familiar with them, the more this will probably happen. It’s even possible to choose what part of the brain to think with in any situation. For example, when reacting with our logic-smartness, we may spontaneously count without thinking about it. Numbers are a natural for us. On Sunday morning, in the context of the lesson in my small group at church, our leader mentioned the song “Count Your Blessings.” As soon as she mentioned it, I began to make a list of mine in my mind and I counted them. Are … [Read more...]
Intentional Thankfulness (Part 2 of 2)
November 21, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
In my first post in this two-part series, I shared how we can express gratitude effectively when we consider people’s multiple intelligences. This is true whether we’re simply expressing our appreciation or buying something for them to say “thanks.” I covered word, logic, and picture smart in that post. Let’s consider the other five smarts. Music smart – Write a note describing their value to you or the beauty of your friendship with musical terms such as classical, melody, in tune, harmony, and composer. (This may seem crazy at first, but I’ve done this. It is possible!) Buy them symphony tickets, make sure to attend their recitals, listen to their favorite songs on their I-pods, and spend time at a store listening to new … [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...]
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