Two decades after Howard Gardner identified multiple
intelligences in his ground-breaking book Frames of
Mind (1983), educators around the world are using
the theory of multiple intelligences in their
classrooms. In some ways, parents and teachers have
always intuitively known that children learn in
different ways and that an activity that grabs one child
may not be of interest to another. But many of our
traditional ideas about teaching imply that there is a
certain way to learn particular skills. As parents,
we've all had times when we've become frustrated by our
children's apparent inability to accomplish a task the
way we were taught to do it. When we have a better
understanding of their individual intelligences and
learning styles, we can provide experiences that speak
to how our children learn best.
To understand your child's learning style, observe
her as she plays. Which toys does she tend to choose?
Chances are, you'll notice that her favorites have
something in common. Perhaps they all have bright colors
and distinct patterns or interesting textures and
shapes, or make sounds. Then look at how she plays: Does
she tend to look at objects intently or to hold
and feel them in her hands? Perhaps she is less
interested in toys than in rolling, tumbling, and moving
around. As you cuddle up with your child and a favorite
book, pay attention to what she is most interested in.
Is it looking at the illustrations? Listening to the
cadence of the words and rhymes as you read aloud?
Touching the different objects pictured on the page? Or
does she practically leap out of your lap and start to
act out the actions in the story as you describe them?
Most children have a number of different
intelligences and learning styles and can be engaged in
a variety of ways. If you don't see a strong preference
for particular toys or games, it means that your child
has more than one primary intelligence or that she isn't
old enough to have developed a strong predilection. In
most cases you can begin to see a preference for
particular styles at around age two. By then your child
will most likely respond best to specific activities and
types of experiences.
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Respecting individual intelligences and learning
styles means offering your child a variety of ways to
learn. This doesn't mean that you should shy away from
helping him master certain skills -- almost anything can
be taught in a way that works well for a specific
intelligence. When you identify and respond to your
child's intelligence and learning style, you help him
approach the world on his own terms. Playing to his
strengths can make mastering new skills less frustrating
-- and can help him develop a lifelong love of learning.
Many Ways to Learn
One of the benefits of the multiple intelligence theory
is that it offers parents many options -- if a child
isn't responding to a particular activity, there are
many other approaches to try. Once you have a sense of
your child's learning style, take a look at your home
environment and routine to see how well they work for
the way she learns. If you find that your child
gravitates toward music, make sure that she has
instruments available. Try playing music throughout the
day and using songs as a way to encourage her enjoyment
of different activities (a special song for doing the
dishes or going grocery shopping can go a long way!). If
she seems to have a powerful physical, or
bodily-kinesthetic, intelligence, remember that creating
fun hopping or jumping games to play while you're
waiting on lines or at the store can help to make these
tough times easier.
While understanding your child's style helps you
speak to his strengths, it is also important to give him
opportunities to strengthen his weaknesses: Even if
you're sure your child is a linguistic learner, there is
plenty to be gained from engaging him in spatial or
musical experiences. Here's a look at each kind of
intelligence and the types of activities and experiences
children with it tend to excel at:
Linguistic
What it is: Sensitivity to the meaning and order
of words. These children use an expanded vocabulary and
usually like to tell jokes, riddles, or puns; read,
write, tell stories, and play word games.
A good way to engage a language-oriented child in a
home science experiment, for example, is to encourage
him to describe and record exactly what he is doing and
observing. To help him understand a concept such as
counting, ask him to create a story in which a character
has to count many items. Have paper, writing material,
different types of storybooks, and a tape recorder
handy.
Logical-mathematical
What it is: The ability to handle chains of
reasoning and to recognize patterns and order. These
learners enjoy working with numbers, want to know how
things work, ask lots of questions, and collect items
and keep track of their collections.
To interest a logical-mathematical learner in a
picture book, have her sort and classify the different
items or animals she sees in it. Asking her to compare
the different sounds and tones various instruments can
make is a good way to help her explore musical concepts.
Good items to have on hand include puzzles, blocks, and
small manipulatives to count with.
Bodily-kinesthetic
What it is: The ability to use the body
skillfully and to handle objects adroitly. Kinesthetic
learners enjoy sports and love to be physically active.
They tend to use body language, dance, act, or engage in
mime.
Kids with this intelligence tend to learn well
through movement games and dramatizing scenes and
situations. Playing a game of hopscotch will help your
physical learner grasp math concepts more easily than
counting items. A good science experiment for a
bodily-kinesthetic child is to compare how far he can
throw different types of objects. Try to have dress-up
clothes and props for role-playing, bean bags, and other
age-appropriate sports equipment around the house.
Musical
What it is: Sensitivity to pitch, melody, rhythm
and tone. These children love to listen to and play
music, sing, hum, move to the rhythm, and create and
replicate tunes.
Singing songs and making audio tapes can be the best
way to engage your child in activities. To teach your
musical learner math concepts, have her count drum beats
or make musical patterns with an instrument. Provide
plenty of instruments to explore (including kitchen
utensils to bang!), a tape recorder, and a variety of
songs and sounds to listen to.
Spatial
What it is: The ability to perceive the world
accurately and to recreate or transform aspects of that
world. These learners doodle, paint, draw, and build
with blocks; enjoy looking at maps, doing puzzles and
mazes; they can take things apart and put them back
together.
Showing your child photos and pictures will help him
grasp new information better than verbal explanations.
To involve him in science experiments, ask him to draw
his observations. Provide plenty of books with bright,
bold graphics, as well as a variety of art materials for
your child to explore.
Naturalist
What it is: Recognizing and classifying the
numerous species, the flora and fauna, of an
environment. These kids like to spend time outdoors
observing plants, collecting rocks, and catching
insects, and are attuned to relationships in nature.
When possible, use photos and books about animals and
the natural world to explain topics. Going outside to
observe concepts such as cause and effect in action is
the best way to teach them to a naturalist. A terrarium,
microscope, and bird feeder are good items to offer your
little naturalist.
Interpersonal
What it is: Understanding people and
relationships. These children have many friends and tend
to mediate between them and to be excellent team
players.
Whenever possible, involve your child in group games
and discussions. Turning a science experiment into an
activity to do with friends can be the best way to
engage an interpersonal learner. Your child will
probably enjoy playing with puppets, dolls, and small
figures.
Intrapersonal
What it is: The ability to use one's emotional
life as a means to understand oneself and others.
Children with this type of intelligence control their
own feelings and moods and often observe and listen.
They do best when working alone.
Encourage your child to think about how new
experiences make him feel and offer him plenty of
chances to explore topics on his own. To involve an
intrapersonal learner in a science project, ask him to
describe his experiences and emotions. A camera, drawing
pad, and blank journal can help your child record and
think about his observations.
From
Parent & Child Magazine
