• Home
  • About Off The Grid
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
Friday, June 20, 2025
  • How-To
  • Grid Threats
  • Survival
  • Gardening
  • Food
  • Worldview
  • Health
  • Privacy
  • Hunting
  • Defense
  • Financial
  • News
  • Misc
No Result
View All Result
  • How-To
  • Grid Threats
  • Survival
  • Gardening
  • Food
  • Worldview
  • Health
  • Privacy
  • Hunting
  • Defense
  • Financial
  • News
  • Misc
No Result
View All Result
Off The Grid News
Home How-To

Diversify Your Lessons With Multiple Intelligences

by MaryEllen
in How-To, Top Headline
Print Print
Diversify Your Lessons With Multiple Intelligences
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on TruthEmail Article

Does your seven-year-old prefer doodling to writing? Does your ten-year-old hum while he works? Is a walk through the woods your teen’s favorite way to unwind? You know that your children are unique. They each have a personality that is like no other. They have different interests and different ways of interacting with others. They also have different ways of learning. When you recognize these differences, you can use them to help each child learn more efficiently and more enjoyably.

Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner, a developmental psychologist and professor of education at Harvard, proposed a theory of multiple intelligences in 1983 that still holds water today. The theory is a model for intelligence and intellectual abilities that outlines different aspects of cognition, thinking, and learning. Proponents of the theory believe that most people are dominant in one or two of these aspects. The theory has its detractors, but what is well known is that when you help a child learn according to his or her dominant aspect of intelligence, they will learn better and more efficiently.

What God’s Word Says About The Discipleship And Training Of The Next Generation.…

Gardner recognizes eight behaviors that make up his theory. A ninth is included by some and not by others. If a child excels in one aspect of intelligence, but not others, they may be traditionally considered less intelligent. However, with Gardner’s theory, a child like this is not less intelligent; rather, they are intelligent in different ways than other children. Below are the eight accepted abilities. The ninth is still somewhat controversial.

  1. Logical-mathematical. People who are dominant in this aspect are considered to be intelligent in the traditional sense of the word. They are good with numbers and logic. They tend to be good at things like chess, computer programming, debate, and scientific thinking.
  2. Linguistic. This is another aspect of the traditional definition of intelligence. Linguistic learners are good with language. They are good at reading, writing, memorizing, and learning foreign languages.
  3. Spatial. Spatial intelligence means being able to visualize things well. These types of learners are good at art, design, and puzzles. They often become architects, artists, and engineers.
  4. Bodily-kinesthetic. Children with this type of intelligence are very aware of their bodies and excel at controlling their movements. They are good at sports, dancing, and acting.
  5. Interpersonal. Those who are dominated by interpersonal intelligence interact well with others. They have a keen understanding and empathy for other people and are good at communicating and working with people.
  6. Intrapersonal. With intrapersonal intelligence, a child is good at introspection and self-reflection. They are good at critical thinking and philosophy.
  7. Musical. Children with musical intelligence excel at anything to do with music. They are very sensitive to rhythm, sounds, and beats.
  8. Naturalistic. Naturalistic learners are in tune with their surroundings. They are good at classifying animals, plants, and other elements of the natural world. Gardeners, farmers, and biologists often have naturalistic intelligence.
  9. Existential. Some followers of multiple intelligence theory believe that spiritual or religious intelligence is a valid aspect. Existential learners are good at contemplating big questions and phenomena.

Using Multiple Intelligences

The keys to using multiple intelligences to benefit your children and their education are to understand each child’s dominant learning behavior and to tailor learning to that strength. Good classroom teachers do this, but they are limited. There is only so much differentiating they can do with a room of thirty or more kids. You, on the other hand, have the flexibility and the time to understand and take advantage of your children’s intelligences.

When you have determined your child’s strongest ability or intelligence, however, you should not ignore the others. A well-rounded and balanced education includes all aspects of learning and intelligence. If your daughter, for instance, excels at problem solving and performing math calculations, she is a logical-mathematical learner. This does not mean that from now on she should only work on math, debate, and logic. But, you can use her logical way of thinking to introduce other topics. You should also encourage her to attempt other intelligences that are not her strong suit. If she struggles with music, you should not cut all music out of her life; rather teach her to accept her strengths and weaknesses and to learn to work with or around them.

  • Logical-mathematical. For your little logicians, use their thinking style in topics other than math. They can compare and contrast ideas, make timelines, and make concept maps to organize facts and ideas. They will also respond well to working on the computer and with other types of technology.
  • Linguistic. Because linguistic learners are good with words, reading, and writing, use them to learn other subjects. Reading about a new topic and writing a summary is an excellent way to take in and store new knowledge. Encourage your linguistic child to write stories about what they have learned each day.
  • Spatial. Use any visuals you can to help your spatial child learn. He will respond to pictures, videos, and computer programs with good visuals. Encourage him to draw pictures when learning and to describe ideas. Use graphs, maps, color-coding, collages, and visual organizers with him in all subject areas.
  • Bodily-kinesthetic. These poor children tend to get in trouble at traditional schools because they have a hard time sitting still. Allow your kinesthetic learner to move around during lessons as long as she is still listening and contributing. Have discussions and lessons while out for a walk. When possible, make learning hands on for her. Do projects, experiments, and crafts to help her learn in all subject areas.
  • Interpersonal. Your interpersonal learner works best with others rather than alone. Encourage group work and group lessons. Get involved with other homeschoolers and have collaborative lessons so he gets to interact with other people. He will be able to learn new subjects best by having discussions, so make lessons a two-way conversation rather than a lecture.
  • Intrapersonal. On the other hand, your intrapersonal child will prefer to work alone. Although you should develop her interpersonal skills by having her work with others from time to time, allow her to be a loner. A journal is a great way for your reflective learner to cement her knowledge. Encourage her to reflect on the day’s lessons with a personal and private diary.
  • Musical. Musical learners are great with rhyming, patterns, and sounds. Let your musical child hum or sing along with work. Have her create songs or raps to remember facts. Put on classical music in the background when she is working on any subject. It will help her focus.
  • Naturalistic. Your nature lover thrives in the outdoors, so whenever weather and conditions allow, take him outside for lessons, studying, and projects. Try to relate lessons on other topics to the natural world. For math, for instance, you can use plants and animals in word problems or for counting.

When you tap into your child’s specific abilities, you will find a powerful resource for thinking and learning. Instead of fighting against your daughter’s need to be outside or your son’s desire to blast loud music, work with it. And remember that your child does not have just one ability. He simply has a dominant type of intelligence. Use it to your advantage, but don’t neglect the others.

©2012 Off the Grid News

ShareTweetShareSend

Related Posts

Homemade “Mosquito Miracle” Spray Is A True Backyard Breakthrough

Homemade “Mosquito Miracle” Spray Is A True Backyard Breakthrough

by Bill Heid

Kitchen Spice Spray That Really Works My cabin is on the Mississippi River with a lot of swampy backwaters. So...

How to Protect Your Backyard Chickens from Dangerous Heat Stress

How to Protect Your Backyard Chickens from Dangerous Heat Stress

by Bill Heid

Helping Your Birds Beat the Heat As temperatures climb during the hot summer months, backyard chicken keepers face a serious...

Unlocking the Hidden Language of Hummingbirds: How to Make Your Garden Irresistible

Unlocking the Hidden Language of Hummingbirds: How to Make Your Garden Irresistible

by Bill Heid

The Real Secrets of Hummingbird Attraction Most backyard bird lovers know the basics of attracting hummingbirds—hang red feeders, plant tubular...

Next Post
How To Successfully Grow Vine Fruits

How To Successfully Grow Vine Fruits

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

5 Reasons We’re Headed For A Little Ice Age

5 Reasons We’re Headed For A Little Ice Age

The Real Story of the Revolutions in Libya and Egypt

The Real Story of the Revolutions in Libya and Egypt

Making Lye Soap from Wood Ash and Lard

TRENDING STORIES

  • bubonic plague

    Is Another Bubonic Plague Pandemic On The Horizon?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Waco Fertilizer Plant Explosion & A Look Back On The “Waco Massacre”

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Make Yourself 3 Times More Likely To Survive A Heart Attack

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • AI Surveillance Of Shoppers: Walmart’s Newest Tool To Grab Your Data

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Apocalyptic’ Microchip Implants Are Here – And Being Inserted Into People’s Hands

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Subscribe to our Insider Newsletter

Huge discounts on off-the-grid gear and life saving supplements.






‘Off The Grid News’ is an independent, weekly email newsletter and website that is crammed full of practical information on living and surviving off the grid. Advice you’ll never hear from the mainstream media.

  • How-To
  • Grid Threats
  • Extreme Survival
  • Survival Gardening
  • Off-Grid Foods
  • Worldview
  • Natural Health
  • Survival Hunting
  • Privacy
  • Financial
  • Current Events
  • Self Defense
  • Home Defense
  • Pain-Free Living
  • Miscellaneous
  • Off Grid Videos

© Copyright 2025 Off The Grid News.  All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy   Terms & Conditions
No Result
View All Result
  • How-To
  • Grid Threats
  • Survival
  • Gardening
  • Food
  • Worldview
  • Health
  • Privacy
  • Hunting
  • Defense
  • Financial
  • News
  • Misc
  • Videos

© Copyright 2025 Off The Grid News.  All Rights Reserved.