Intelligences

The main fact I am writing about intelligence is because of the way the Department of Education wants to stick everybody in the same can, as if we were made from a clone. As I've seen they really just care about the money they could get into their pockets with federal helps; coming from proposals. Instead of how to deal and meet children's necessities with the transforming days.

My experience as a mother of three and being an almost retired teacher of Special Education (Which has made me encounter many students from kinder to twelfth grade); has led me to the knowledge that our differences as humans are so diverse holding within us a universe. So, I will add my faith in God also. I believe that the many intelligence and individual differences theories has a part of how God created us. Psalm 119:73 says "Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands".

Our children do not belong to the Department of Education...so let's gain knowledge and try to help, understand and reeducate "unstuck" them. The "input" they need... to have a critical mind, become mentally healthy and a productive individual; can be fed when we know how learning is achieved.

I learned that: "If a child doesn't learn the way he/she is thought; teach the way he/she learns". In order to know how they learn we need to identified their intelligence.

There is nothing new under the sun...so I selected links, a well done chart and videos in behalf of a good understanding of the theme.

Intelligence is the capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity, aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc. So it is just not about ABC and 1,2,3.

We will also need to understand The theory of the four temperaments to add our knowledge of diversity; and we need to learn the different strategies of teaching. Teaching strategies are based from the multiple intelligences within us and for the multiple intelligences in each children. An example will be constructivist teaching; but to find the best strategy we need to answer: who. what, where and when.

When I made my master of arts in education degree; I studied The theory of multiple intelligences of Dr. Howard Gardner (professor of education at Harvard University) in 1983. I became admirable of his research. He proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. That is why knowing the different intelligences and knowing how we learn will help us to try to understand how to approach or expect from others.

The multiple intelligences are:Linguistic intelligence, Logical mathematical intelligence, Spatial intelligence, Bodily kinesthetics intelligence, Musical intelligence, Interpersonal intelligence, Intra-personal intelligence and Naturalist intelligence.

Ability to use words and language.

Who are these linguistic intellectual: politicians, lawyers, poets, journalists, translators, writers, teachers. Example: TS Eliot

Ability to use reason, logical and numbers.

These are: mathematicians, researchers, scientists, accountants, engineers and computer programmers. Example: Albert Einstein

Ability to perceive the visual.

Found in: visual artist, inventors, mechanics, architects, sculptures also in navigators. Example: Pablo Picasso.

Ability to control body movements and handle objects skillfully.

Where to find these learners: in dancers, artisans, athletes, actors and firefighters. Example: Martha Graham.

Ability to produce and appreciate music.

These musical intellectuals are: musicians, singers, composers and disc jockey. Example: Igor Stravinsky.

Ability to relate and understand others.

These are:salespersons, politicians, counselors and business persons. Example: Mahatma Gandhi.

Ability to self-reflect and be aware of one's inner state of being.

Skills from this intelligence are in: philosophers, theorists and researchers. Example: Sigmund Freud.

Ability to tune with nature and aware of their environments.

These are: farmers, biologists, conservationist and gardeners. Example: Charles Darwin.

I certainly know that many of us fit in one or even more of these intelligences and we could help others as ourself to gain strength to our skills. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3).

© Maria Magdalena Ruiz O'Farrill