When it comes to helping children thrive as learners, one crucial aspect involves understanding how your child learns and processes information. Recognizing their unique strengths, rather than focusing on perceived weaknesses, can unlock their full potential and foster a lifelong love of learning. This is especially necessary when traditional schooling often caters to certain types of learners, and assumptions about effective study habits don’t always take into account what would be most effective for a particular student.
Educational environments have often leaned toward certain types of teaching and learning styles as the primary model. Invariably, there have also been students who benefited from those styles and felt an easier fit in that environment. For example, lectures and note-taking work well for those who are auditory learners, and reading and essay writing come naturally to the linguistic mind. Unfortunately, a consequence of this design has been the void it created for all the others present in any given classroom. Theories such as multiple intelligences and learning styles have revolutionized education since their introduction, and they can provide meaningful guidance in how to best support each unique student.
TRADITIONAL EDUCATION VS MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES THEORY
Historically, the definition of intelligence was given a narrow definition driven by linguistic and logical-mathematical abilities. Further still, it was measured by standardized tests and general performance in classrooms that used similar types of teaching styles. However, this view was radically transformed when psychologist Howard Gardner introduced the theory of multiple intelligences, which proposes that each person possesses different types of naturally gifted strengths. Identifying these strengths can highlight which approaches to engaging with content may be most effective and meaningful, and while there are countless assessments available, this site offers a quick and easy option.
Gardner also warned against labeling learners based on their type of intelligence. Each category reflects a capacity for accessing or expressing abilities, but learning is nuanced and complex enough that rigid limitations and labels would do more harm than good. Instead, this model aims to redefine the traditional view of intelligence and make space for the many ways that this appears in academic and professional settings.
MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES: EIGHT TYPES
Linguistic Intelligence: Language-based intelligence is expressed through reading, writing, debates, verbal expression, and storytelling.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: This is the ability to reason, solve problems, and think abstractly, often reflected in a passion for puzzles, math, and scientific inquiry.
Spatial Intelligence: This refers to the ability to visualize and manipulate multi-dimensional objects in space. Artists, architects, and those who enjoy maps and building models often possess strong spatial intelligence.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: The ability to use one's body effectively and skillfully, and one of the most common and under-utilized types of intelligence in the classroom. Children who learn best through hands-on activities demonstrate this intelligence and should avoid sitting passively during learning or studying time.
Musical Intelligence: Reflected in a natural sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, and tone. Children with musical intelligence often enjoy singing, playing instruments, and recognizing musical patterns.
Interpersonal Intelligence: Children who are natural leaders, good communicators, and empathetic collaborators can understand and interact with others effectively.
Intrapersonal Intelligence: Often reflective and independent, people with this intelligence possess strong self-awareness and an understanding of their own emotions, motivations, and goals.
Naturalist Intelligence: A deep understanding and appreciation of the natural world, often expressed through gardening, exploring nature, and classifying plants and animals.
Understanding your child's dominant intelligences allows you to tailor their learning experiences. For example, a child with strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence might grasp concepts better through movement-based activities or building models, rather than just reading about them. For more tips on how to incorporate these into class time and study strategies, this University of North Georgia article can be a great resource.
LEARNING STYLES: ABSORBING INFORMATION
In addition to types of intelligence, we all have our preferred learning styles: the ways we best absorb and retain information. While there's overlap with multiple intelligences, learning styles are centered more around sensory preferences and the mode of delivery.
Visual Learners: Learning by seeing, often with a strong preference for diagrams, charts, videos, and reading. Visual aids and note-taking with colors and symbols are helpful.
Auditory Learners: Learning by hearing, with an inclination toward discussions, lectures, and audio recordings. Reading aloud, participating in group discussions, and using mnemonic devices are useful tactics.
Kinesthetic Learners: Learning by doing or experiencing, and best engaged via hands-on activities, experiments, role-playing, and movement. Provide opportunities for active learning and physical engagement.
HOW TO INCORPORATE INTELLIGENCE & LEARNING STYLES
Recognizing your child's unique blend of intelligences and learning styles empowers you to provide targeted support.
Listen and Observe: Watch how your child naturally approaches tasks and what activities they enjoy - what captures their attention? How do they like to explain what they've learned?
Diversify Learning Experiences: Don't limit learning to traditional methods, such as reading or note-taking. If your child is a kinesthetic learner with strong musical intelligence, help them study for that history test by creating a song about those events or acting out a scene from the textbook.
Provide Appropriate Resources: If your child is a visual learner, find related educational videos, illustrated books, and concept maps - all easily found with a quick internet search. For an auditory learner, listening instead of reading the content (ie. audiobooks) can be helpful.
Encourage Self-Awareness: Explore together with your child and collaboratively seek to understand how they learn best. This self-knowledge is an invaluable tool that will serve them throughout their academic journey and beyond.
Celebrate All Intelligences: Actively acknowledge that all forms of intelligence are valuable. For instance, recognizing the ways different family members possess different skills and natural abilities that everyone benefits from can illustrate how this diversity is a gift worth celebrating. It also helps build confidence and a positive self-image, reinforcing that their unique way of thinking is a strength, not a limitation.
By embracing these insights, you can create an environment where your child feels understood, valued, and empowered to learn in ways that are most effective and enjoyable for them.
Written by Brandi R.