This section of Nourish and Flourish will discuss Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and how to optimize children’s learning.
Howard Gardner is an important figure to teachers because his theories addressed differences and diversity in the classroom.
Gardner thought that each person possessed a certain type of “intelligence” such as artistic or mathematical. Gardner thought that if teachers tested their children to see where they excelled and allowed them to learn in their unique way then children who might be “slow” in one area could be considered “exceptional” in another (Nolen 115).
Gardner’s intelligences emphasize the benefits of differences as strengths instead of weaknesses. This video provides an overview of all eight intelligences, in the form of a song!
Gardner thought that each person possessed a certain type of “intelligence” such as artistic or mathematical. Gardner thought that if teachers tested their children to see where they excelled and allowed them to learn in their unique way then children who might be “slow” in one area could be considered “exceptional” in another (Nolen 115).
Gardner’s intelligences emphasize the benefits of differences as strengths instead of weaknesses. This video provides an overview of all eight intelligences, in the form of a song!
In terms of the benefits for children, brain research on multiple intelligences suggests that stimulating different parts of the brain can increase creativity (Optimizing Learning 1983). Dr. Barbara Clark, a psychologist from the State University of Los Angeles examined the electrical activity in the brain when several intelligences were stimulated at once. She found that exercising several intelligences at once, allowed for the level of electrical activity in the brain to jump dramatically. In other words, “hot-wiring” occurs within the brain which promotes faster learning (Stanfield 26).
The children in our care may exhibit all/some of the qualities below:
Word Smart or Verbal Linguistic: These children are able to think in words and enjoy storytelling, explaining themselves, persuading their friends and entertaining those around them. As parents and teachers we need to use age-appropriate language.
Logic Smart or Mathematical: These children think logically and with reason. They are able to manipulate numbers in their heads and are often the “teacher’s pet”! As parents and teachers we need to provide opportunities for memorization, organization and be logical in our instruction.
Body Smart or Kinesthetic: These children understand the world through the body and they enjoy sports and activities that involve moving. As parents and teachers we need to ensure physical activity and introduce stress balls for when they are having trouble sitting still.
People Smart or Interpersonal: These children are very good at understanding other people’s feelings and moods. They are often very original and imaginative but need to be praised frequently. As teachers and parents we need to encourage group play dates and teamwork.
Self Smart or Intrapersonal: These children are usually introverted and enjoy being alone. As teachers and parents we need to provide them with emotional outlets such as diaries and journals for personal reflection.
Nature Smart or Naturalistic: These children understand and value studying nature and animals. As teachers and parents we need to encourage outside play time and provide opportunities for these children to learn from nature.
Picture Smart or Spatial: These children are called “visual learners” because they prefer to learn new concepts through images instead of words. As teachers and parents we need to allow for creativity, drawing and art.
Music Smart or Musical: These children usually have a natural skill for learning music and identifying pitch and sound. As teachers and parents we need to remember that music can make everything more playful and fun!
(Nolen 115 - 120)
The children in our care may exhibit all/some of the qualities below:
Word Smart or Verbal Linguistic: These children are able to think in words and enjoy storytelling, explaining themselves, persuading their friends and entertaining those around them. As parents and teachers we need to use age-appropriate language.
Logic Smart or Mathematical: These children think logically and with reason. They are able to manipulate numbers in their heads and are often the “teacher’s pet”! As parents and teachers we need to provide opportunities for memorization, organization and be logical in our instruction.
Body Smart or Kinesthetic: These children understand the world through the body and they enjoy sports and activities that involve moving. As parents and teachers we need to ensure physical activity and introduce stress balls for when they are having trouble sitting still.
People Smart or Interpersonal: These children are very good at understanding other people’s feelings and moods. They are often very original and imaginative but need to be praised frequently. As teachers and parents we need to encourage group play dates and teamwork.
Self Smart or Intrapersonal: These children are usually introverted and enjoy being alone. As teachers and parents we need to provide them with emotional outlets such as diaries and journals for personal reflection.
Nature Smart or Naturalistic: These children understand and value studying nature and animals. As teachers and parents we need to encourage outside play time and provide opportunities for these children to learn from nature.
Picture Smart or Spatial: These children are called “visual learners” because they prefer to learn new concepts through images instead of words. As teachers and parents we need to allow for creativity, drawing and art.
Music Smart or Musical: These children usually have a natural skill for learning music and identifying pitch and sound. As teachers and parents we need to remember that music can make everything more playful and fun!
(Nolen 115 - 120)
We must provide children with options for individual learning and allow for inquiry and interaction with day-to-day experience. Multiple intelligence tests are an efficient way to learn more about the children in our care and allow everyone to be smart in their own way!
Click on the "Emotion" tab under the section Moral Development for a link to a very effective Multiple Intelligence Test.
Click on the "Emotion" tab under the section Moral Development for a link to a very effective Multiple Intelligence Test.
If we nourish their intelligences, their sense of self will flourish!
Work Cited:
Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice by Howard Gardner. New York: Basic Books Inc., 1993.
Nolen, J. Multiple intelligences in the classroom. Education. 124(1). 2003. 115-120.
Optimizing Learning: The Integrative Education Model in the Classroom by Dr. Barbara Clark. Frames of Mind by Howard Gardner. New York: Basic Books Inc., 1983.
Stanfield, Brian. "Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences: Hot Wiring the Brain for Living, Working and Learning." Edges 6.1 (1994): 24-25. ProQuest. <http://search.proquest.com.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/docview/225200620?accountid=14694>.
Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice by Howard Gardner. New York: Basic Books Inc., 1993.
Nolen, J. Multiple intelligences in the classroom. Education. 124(1). 2003. 115-120.
Optimizing Learning: The Integrative Education Model in the Classroom by Dr. Barbara Clark. Frames of Mind by Howard Gardner. New York: Basic Books Inc., 1983.
Stanfield, Brian. "Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences: Hot Wiring the Brain for Living, Working and Learning." Edges 6.1 (1994): 24-25. ProQuest. <http://search.proquest.com.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/docview/225200620?accountid=14694>.