How to Discover Your Child's Abilities Walnut Creek CA

Steps

1. Understand the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. In the early 1980's Howard Gardner began to change the education world by publishing his book on the Theory of Multiple Intelligences. His theory established seven intelligences and he has since added an 8th. He believes that each person in intelligent in different areas. He identified these areas by mapping brain activity and by broad cultural acceptance.
   • Linguistic intelligence: a sensitivity to the meaning and order of words.
   • Logical-mathematical intelligence: ability in mathematics and other complex logical systems.
   • Musical intelligence: the ability to understand and create music. Musicians, composers and dancers show a heightened musical intelligence.
   • Spatial intelligence: the ability to "think in pictures," to perceive the visual world accurately, and recreate (or alter) it in the mind or on paper. Spatial intelligence is highly developed in artists, architects, designers and sculptors.
   • Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: the ability to use one's body in a skilled way, for self-expression or toward a goal. Mimes, dancers, basketball players, and actors are among those who display bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
   • Interpersonal intelligence: an ability to perceive and understand other individuals -- their moods, desires, and motivations. Political and religious leaders, skilled parents and teachers, and therapists use this intelligence.
   • Intrapersonal intelligence: an understanding of one's own emotions. Some novelists and or counselors use their own experience to guide others.
   • Naturalist intelligence: the ability to recognize and classify plants, minerals, and animals, including rocks and grass and all variety of flora and fauna.[[1]]
2. Observe: Take time to watch your child at play. Don't assume that your child's play is meaningless. Children play in ways that reflect their intelligences and natural abilities.
3. Talk: Ask your child about the things that interest them and about their interest they like the most and why.
4. Test: Fill out an online survey like the [Multiple Intelligences Test] or [search the Internet for others]. Many of these test are not designed for young children to take so it is best fill out the survey for them based on your observations. Be careful not to project your own ideas into how your answer the question for your child. Professional testing is available though psychology services but careful observation will usually supply you with satisfactory answers.

Tips

• These steps are not a highly scientific analysis of your child. The more you observe your child's play and activities the more accurate your assessment will be. But even at that, be flexible in your conclusions.
• A child's abilities and strengths can fluctuate as they grow and develop. Encourage your child's exposure to and development in all intelligences.

Warnings

• No one form of intelligence is superior to the other. Each intelligence can lead to success and achievement if recognized, developed, and channeled appropriately.
• There are other methods of measuring intelligence. No one method should not be used exclusively.

Sources and Citations

• Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner

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