Every Wednesday, I’ll post about multiple intelligences so we can better understand children and why they do what they do. — I often say that too much of a good thing is not a good thing. You may be surprised, but this philosophy is even relevant to how we use our smarts. I think easily with questions because I’m very logic smart. Analyzing and comparing come naturally to me. I want things to make sense. To me. When people or things disappoint or confuse me, I think a lot about the situation. I can get stuck. Frustrated. Even angry if solutions don’t come to mind. I’m sure you’ve heard of the “paralysis of analysis.” That used to describe me. Past tense. Have you wrestled with … [Read more...]
Engaging Multiple Smarts to Reveal New Insights
May 15, 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. — Although it’s helpful to teach and learn about our eight intelligences in isolation, in practice they don’t work alone. For instance, because word smart involves listening, speaking, reading, and/or writing, it’s very rare that we’re not using it. Those of you who are very picture smart probably always have pictures in your mind. They just naturally appear to help you. Our smarts aren’t always automatically engaged. If we choose to use them anyway, even when we don’t need to, we’ll have richer experiences. (Students will have deeper understanding and a longer memory for what … [Read more...]
It’s Never Too Late for Intelligences to Grow
May 8, 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. — 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...]
Grieving the Boston Bombings – Practical Insights to Help Process
April 15, 2013 by · 1 Comment
In light of the tragic bombings in Boston today and the loss of life and the number of injured, I thought I’d repost this blog (with some slight edits) from about a year ago. --- Grief is on my mind and it’s probably on yours. And, it’s in our hearts. Fear and confusion may be on your mind and you may notice it in your children, depending on how aware they are of what happened. Would it surprise you to know that understanding how we are smart can help us process grief, fear, and confusion 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. If your children have definite intelligence strengths, you’ll want … [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...]
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...]
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...]
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