Learning Styles: The Basics Part Two
Posted by Montserrat | 0 comments
This is the second in a series about learning styles. You can read the first part here: Learning Styles: The Basics.
Today we are going beyond the basic learning styles of Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinesthetic/Tactile (VARK). Most of us don’t fall strictly into one of those categories – and neither do our children. There are also several other factors that are not taken into account with the VARK learning styles – art, music, extroverts or introverts being a few.
Enter Multiple Intelligences developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. They are
- Linguistic intelligence (word smart)
- Logical-mathematical intelligence (number/reasoning smart)
- Visual-Spatial intelligence (picture smart)
- Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (body smart)
- Musical intelligence (music smart)
- Interpersonal intelligence (people smart)
- Intrapersonal intelligence (self smart)
- Naturalist intelligence (nature smart)
The theory behind Multiple Intelligences is not to find a category that your child “fits” into but rather recognize which types of intelligences are more prominent in how your child not only learns but is – their personality. My favorite Multiple Intelligences test to take online in Edutopia: What’s Your Learning Style. The questions are clear and so far the results have been spot on for me and my children. I like that they provide a chart at the end of the test showing your results.
Here are a couple of my children’s results:
(10 year old daughter)
(14 year old daughter)
(6 year old daughter)
You can see from the graphics above that some multiple intelligences are more prominent than others but most are evident in some degree or another in my children’s personalities. The same will be true for you and your children. The following chart is also useful in understanding the basic premise behind each intelligence. Just reading through it I bet you’ll be able to see what intelligences your children envelope more than others.
|
Children who are: |
Think |
Enjoy |
Need |
| Logical-Mathematical | By reasoning | Questioning, calculating,Experimenting, puzzles, logic games, etc. | Science materials, things to explore, calculators, computers, order, math games, etc. |
| Linguistic | In words | Reading, writing, Playing word games, Telling stories, etc. | Books, stories, writing tools,Paper, discussion, dictionary,Thesaurus, debate, dialogue |
| Bodily-Kinesthetic | By moving or feeling | Touching, running, dancing, building, tapping hands or feet, gesturing, etc. | Tactile experiences, hands-on learning, movement, role play, physical games, etc |
| Visual-Spatial | In images and pictures | Doodling, drawing, designing, visualizing, colors, etc/ | Pictures, charts, art, movies, maps, colors, photographs, etc. |
| Naturalistic | By being aware of their surroundings | Nature, plants, animals, being outdoors, etc. | To be outdoors or by a window, microscopes, telescopes, nature walks, etc |
| Musical | Through rhythms or melodies | Humming, whistling, singing, tapping or clapping hands or feet, etc. | Music playing, musical instruments, sing-along time, concerts, etc. |
| Intrapersonal | Deeply inside themselves | Being quiet, dreaming, meditating, setting goals, etc. | Time alone, to work at their own pace, etc. |
| Interpersonal | By bouncing ideas off other people | Organizing, leading, groups, discussions, etc. | Clubs, friends, group discussions, social gatherings, etc. |
As you recognize the multiple intelligences that are most evident in your children, you will discover ideas to help you gear your teaching to how they learn best.
The next several articles in this series will discuss each multiple intelligence in greater detail with suggestions for teaching techniques for you and study helps for your child.
Montserrat Wadsworth is completely devoted to her wonderful husband, Joseph, and their eight children (seven girls and one boy!). They live on a 4,000 acre alfalfa farm nestled in a small Northern Nevada valley. They’ve been homeschooling for 11+ years. Montserrat enjoys, photography, cooking, crafting, chocolate, and sloppy goodnight kisses. She strives to live each day as God would have her do following Mary’s biblical supplication, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) You can find her at her blog Chocolate On My Cranium.
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