Hey #JustWrite!! It's 3 weeks until the new school year will begin for some and for those of us who have children, have raised children, or have educated children, the conversation this month is centered on the intelligence of children. Most of us who attended public school went through the emotions of being tested and understanding whether or not we were visual (see the content), auditory (hear the content), or kinesthetic (hands on with the content) learners. In my experience as a student, my favorite subjects were Math and ELA and I was definitely using the 3 different type of learning styles in one to process information. In my experience as an educator, I've found that it is important to understand and prioritize a student's intelligence in the same way the learning styles of a student are prioritized.
This month's book selection, You're Smarter Than You Think: A Kid's Guide to Multiple Intelligences by author Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D. explores a theory by Howard Gordon that children have multiple intelligences. The three intelligences discussed in this text include Word Smart, Self Smart, and Body Smart. The book also includes an explanation of Life Smart where children are inquisitive about life, the universe, and spirituality. According to Howard Gordon, the 8 intelligences include: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic. These intelligences go beyond the general intelligence normally expressed by the standard IQ score. We as writers fall under the verbal-linguistic and intrapersonal intelligences. 3 additional intelligences include spiritual, moral, and existential intelligences. Parents, as you read this text with your child, you will be happy to know that your intelligences go beyond buckets that we have all been placed in. It kills the idea within the education world that our intelligence is defined by standardized tests. These intelligences also influence the areas of psychology, neuroscience, and business within workplace environments and training programs. The following areas are ways that we can apply these intelligences to our personal and professional lives:
1. Identifying strengths and weaknesses
2. Learning experiences
3. Teamwork and collaboration
4. Self-awareness and empathy
5. New challenges
Join the conversation on July 25 at 6pm and discover the intelligences that we all resonate with. Remember Proverbs 22:6 and that:
In His service,
Lequvia Ousley
