Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Sometimes an identity change makes an almost immediate difference in someone’s behavior. Sometimes it doesn’t. What’s the difference? My nephew, Andy, graduated from college last Saturday. One minute he was a college student. The next, he was a graduate. Identity controls behavior. Now he won’t be studying to take tests unless and until he begins graduate school. He will be going to work. He’ll need new skills and behaviors. Identity is our second core need. It’s surrounded, or sandwiched, by security and belonging. They’ll both greatly influence it. When they’re strong and healthy, identity will more … [Read more...]
Learning a Child’s “Smarts” Brings Liberation Out of Confusion
April 18, 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. — She was standing off to my right, patiently waiting for me to finish other conversations. As I walked toward her, her smile broadened to fill her face. “I came to this homeschool convention to go to all the seminars about learning disabilities because I was sure our son had at least one. Now I know he’s picture smart, body smart, and nature smart. He’s not disabled! He’s smart!” That might be when the tears began to flow. I’m not sure. I am sure that I was with a greatly relieved and deeply encouraged mom. I was humbled to be God’s messenger of hope. Children with word-smart and … [Read more...]
The Importance, and Influence, of Our Name
April 16, 2012 by · 8 Comments
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Last week, while at the homeschool convention in Memphis, I was reminded of the value of our names. We read in Isaiah 43:1 that we are called or summoned by name. Our name is important to us and can influence our identity. It can influence our security, too. And, our belonging. Would you believe our name can even influence our purpose and competence? If you’ve never told your children why you named them what you did, please share your story. Knowing is better than not knowing. Don’t assume the story wouldn’t bless them. It could increase their hope in their purpose and in their tomorrows. If you didn’t have a … [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...]
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...]
News Flash: Nature-Smart Kids Enjoy Getting Dirty!
March 5, 2012 by · 3 Comments
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — People with nature-smart strengths enjoy being outside among plants and animals. They’re invigorated in the fresh air and can get lost watching clouds float by. They will often want to experience it up close and personal. Nature-smart boys and girls may get dirty more often than others. It will often be intentional. During my school programs, when I ask students who enjoys getting dirty, often 50% of them raise their hands. They laugh and indicate they definitely enjoy playing and exploring outside. Their pockets and dresser tops will be full of rocks, leaves, pine cones, shells, and other treasures they find. Oh, yes … [Read more...]
Thought Provoking Discussion Starters #9: Dropped In The Middle of The Ocean Edition
March 2, 2012 by · 1 Comment
Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters. — My assistant, Linda, and I arrived in Galveston, TX, yesterday because I’m speaking and we’re exhibiting here at the Texas State Middle School Association Convention. As we arrived, it was great turning left at the sea wall and driving along the gulf. We have a beautiful view of the powerful waves from our 12th floor room (the picture for this post is the view from our room.) It made me think of this statement. If I were dropped out of a plane into the ocean and told the nearest land was a thousand miles away, I'd still swim. And I'd despise the one who gave up. ~Abraham Maslow What do you think? Which person would you be? Why? What could we say to the … [Read more...]
Finding Our Purpose Helps Us To Embrace Life and Truly Live
February 27, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every Monday, I’ll post about discovering genuine hope and authentic answers for living a healthy life. — Purpose is purposeful. When we know why we’re alive, we’re more apt to live. Really live. Embrace life. Take it seriously. Step up to the plate. Knock it out of the park. (Okay, I couldn’t resist. Spring training has begun!!!!) Back to the point… Purpose is the fourth core need: It follows security because we need trustworthy people to speak into our lives so we know ourselves better. And being trustworthy ourselves will help us develop our purpose. It follows identity because our specific attributes and interests help us identify and embrace specific purposes. It follows belonging because healthy people … [Read more...]
The Most Music-Smart Generation Ever
February 15, 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 intelligences were based on interest alone, it would be safe to say that today’s young adults and teens may be the most music-smart generation ever. This is largely due to the iPod. It was invented in 2001 and iTunes was voted the invention of the year just two years later. Because music has always been readily accessible, this generation highly values it. They enjoy it. They prioritize it. They know it. But, when considering intelligences, ability must be factored in. Because of the quantity and variety of music on iTunes, bands on YouTube, and television shows they watch like American Idol, … [Read more...]
Helping Teachers See Students In A New Light
February 8, 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. — Helping teachers see their students in a new light, with a healthy perspective on why they have the strengths they have, is one of the best things we do at Celebrate Kids, Inc. Being able to identify and classify strengths as intelligences is empowering and refreshing. When teachers know their students are smart, they are more likely to strategically teach to all eight smarts of the brain. This allows students to be more motivated and successful and feel smarter. This results in them actually being smarter because more intelligences are awakened and applied to the topic. It’s such a win-win! Last … [Read more...]
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