The Seven Intelligences: How to identify your child’s Strengths.

The Seven Intelligences: How to identify your child’s Strengths.

Some times you are confused by your child’s behavior. You don’t understand that why your child doesn’t improve in some of the areas in studies although his/her teacher and you are working hard on his/her. We always listen to parents talking “My son is good in projects but isn’t able to do well in writing tests or my daughter takes less interest in playing outdoor games” or “His/her teacher complains about his/her weaknesses but isn’t able to find the right solution”.

We always have some dream about our child’s career. We put our efforts to fulfill our dream through our child and scripting his/her mind without knowing his/her abilities. When you find from school that your child is weak in a particular area and after a lot effort from your teacher and you he/she doesn’t improve than don’t be frustrated. There are ways to improve and put them on the right track.

I will tell you about my experience with my daughter’s career. At early time I realized that scripting a child’s brain with a particular career is not a right thing and one should wait till the right time. Till her 10th Std. [SSC] she was a good student. But in the 12th Std. [HSC] she came out as an average student. Now the mind jogging started to choose the right stream of her capacity and choice. My wife is a teacher since last 22 yrs. She took her Multiple Intelligence Test and as result we found that she scored high in Visual – Spatial or Space, Logical-Mathematical and people intelligence. So she finally took admission in Architecture [B.Arch] and she since last two years is doing remarkably well.

By developing Multiple Intelligence in early age helps a lot to a child in understanding all areas and will make him/her take part willingly in his/her weaker areas. Children learn in a variety of ways. This is why the traditional method of education, where a teacher lectures children as they sit facing her in rows, is often woefully inadequate. Once we discover the specific intellectual strengths our children have, we can help provide them with new, stimulating experiences that will inspire them to learn in their own ways.

The Seven Intelligences:

There are seven different types of intelligence, as described by Harvard psychologist Mr. Howard Gardner. According to Gardner, we know that every child has a bit of each in different proportions. As I describe them, see if you visualize your own child in any of the categories. However, don't jump to immediate conclusions. It's likely that your son or daughter is a mixture of several learning styles, since all children are unique, complex individuals.
*[Test to identify your child’s Strengths table is at the end of article]

Simple Explanation of The Model of Multiple Intelligence:

Word or Linguistic Intelligence:
Children with strengths in this category tend to enjoy reading and writing. They like to read books for enjoyment, and also find word play fun. They enjoy crosswords, tongue twisters, jokes, and rhyme. They are typically good spellers, but even if they have difficulty with the mechanics of language they love hearing and telling stories.

Logical and Mathematical Intelligence:
These children display a lot of curiosity about things in their environment and how they work. They might wonder why a clock ticks or how a toy works, and take it apart to discover its mechanics. They like computers, chemistry sets, patterns, puzzles, and brain-teasers. They think conceptually. You might see them playing chess or strategy games. Math problems come more easily for them than other children. They have questions about life, the universe, time, and physics.

Visual and Space Intelligence:
These kids think in images. They tend to be daydreamers. They often know exactly where everything is placed in their bedroom, even if it's a mess. They also might be able to find the missing keys or shoes by simply picturing where they last saw them. They are highly sensitive to the placement of objects, and if you were to redecorate a room, they would either be extremely pleased or very irritated. They like jigsaw puzzles, art, and drawing. They're good with maps, diagrams, and enjoy videos.

Bodily or Kinesthetic Intelligence:
Children who lean toward this kind of intelligence are sometimes considered hyperactive, if they aren't given things to do. They crave movement and motion. They love to be outdoors on the playground. They process knowledge through bodily sensations.

Musical Intelligence:
Children with musical intelligence might sing to themselves, hum, whistle, and tap. They aren't just interested in music but have an ability to also understand it. They are rhythmic, and very good with an instrument. They might be able to easily pick out harmonies and "parts" in a song, which makes them excellent members of a choir. They may talk about playing in a band or orchestra someday. They like dancing and have particular opinions about the music they hear. They have an ear for music and can tell you when you're off pitch.

People or Interpersonal Intelligence:
These kids are people-oriented. They are social and enjoy being around others. They usually have friends and an uncanny ability to understand how other people are feeling. They are good at conflict resolution, and can be peacemakers. They always seem to know who's mad at who, who's going where, and all the latest gossip. They like to be involved in extra curricular activities.

Self or Intrapersonal Intelligence:
Despite having a strong personality, these children tend to choose solitary activities. They shy away from crowds and participate in solo hobbies and personal activities they find stimulating. They might keep a diary, write, or absorb themselves in certain artistic talents. They have a very strong sense of who they are and what they'd like to do with their lives. They are acutely aware of their own dreams, perceptions, and ideas, sometimes even leaning toward the psychic. They follow their own beat, so to speak, and aren't crowd-pleasers. They don't follow trends, but have their own unique style. They are good at motivating themselves to complete projects that interest them.

So, Do you recognize your child in any of the categories? The more you understand your child's particular way of learning, what motivates his/her, and how he/she thinks, the more you'll be able to reach his/her on his/her terms and inspire him/her to be his/her greatest self.

I have found in a book named “Seven ways at once” that you can identify your child’s strong and weak areas by a simple test on your observation to your child. But I suggest that what ever be the outcome of the test, consult Experts before you act. Some schools are also working on MI model and their teachers can help you.

Most important: forcing your child to attend classes or doing particular activity to improve weak intelligence will not help. There are strategic activities available by which a child himself improves and starts taking interest. Experts can help and Guide you.

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Test to identify your child’s Strengths.

To find out what your child’s strengths might be, responds to the following statements.

Please Circle YES or NO.

W [1] Your child was an early and keen talker [YES / NO]

L [2] Your child loves to experiment to ‘find out what would happen if…. [YES / NO]

B [3] Your child learned to ride a bike, tie his/her own shoelaces, catch, throw and kick early. [YES / NO]

M [4] Your child loves to listen to music. [YES / NO]

S [5] Your child connect his/her feeling to his action and talk about them. [YES / NO]

L [6] Your child enjoys making things from plans and patterns. [YES / NO]

B [7] Your child loves to dance and move his/her body to music in a patterned way. [YES / NO]

W [8] Your child loves to play games such as crosswords, wordsearch and Scrabble. [YES / NO]

P [9] Your child practices relationships between people and comments on them. [YES / NO]

P [10] Your child usually prefers to be with people rather than be himself/herself. [YES / NO]

L [11] Your child loves to ‘play’ with numbers. [YES / NO]

B [12] Your child loves games which require quick reflexes (computer games, ball game, Etc.)[YES / NO]

W [13] Your child loves to play with words and often makes puns or witty remarks. [YES / NO]

S [14] Your child shows interest in why he/she thinks, feels and behaves the way he/she does. [YES / NO]

P [15] Your child is sensitive to other people’s feelings and responds to them. [YES / NO]

M [16] Your child loves to make rhythmic and patterned sound or music [YES / NO]

V [17] Your child loves to draw or paint or make things out of squiggles [YES / NO]

V [18] Your child notices detail in things he/she sees and puts detail into his/her Drawing or design (e.g., shading, movement, joints, perspectives). [YES / NO]

V [19] Your child remembers place visited in the past and can connect them with The present. (e.g., This is where we came when….) [YES / NO]

B [20] Your child can skillfully manipulate small objects. [YES / NO]

P [21] Your child enjoys performing and acting in front of other people. [YES / NO]

S [22] Your child can decide on what he/she wants to achieve and make plans to Make it happen and then follow through on those plans. [YES / NO]

W [23] Your child loves to read a lot. [YES / NO]

M [24] Your child can sing in tune. [YES / NO]

V [25] Your child has a good sense of direction and rarely gets lost. [YES / NO]

L [26] Your child is always asking ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions. [YES / NO]

S [27] Your child is pretty good judge of what he/she can and can’t do well. [YES / NO]

M [28] Your child enjoys playing musical instrument. [YES / NO]

Note: If you answered YES to at least three or four questions concerning a specific intelligence, then your child is probably strong in that area.

[W] WORD INTELLIGENCE : Questions 1, 8, 13, 23.
[L] LOGIC AND MATHS INTELLIGENCE : Questions 2, 6, 11, 26.
[V] VISUAL AND SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE : Questions 17, 18, 19, 25.
[B] BODY INTELLIGENCE : Questions 3, 7, 12, 20.
[M] MUSIC INTELLIGENCE : Questions 4, 16, 24, 28.
[P] PEOPLE INTELLIGENCE : Questions 9, 10, 15, 21.
[S] SELF INTELLIGENCE : Questions 5, 14, 22, 27.

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