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Multiple Intelligences
One of the reasons why many of us have chosen
to educate our children at home is because they have either been
identified as having learning disabilities or "at risk"
for developing same. This label generally means nothing more
than a child learns in ways which are different from the methods
taught in school. However, should the child stay in the rigid
school setting, it is inevitable that he or she will develop
a low sense of self, as well as a condition which psychologists
term "learned helplessness." This condition means that
when a person consistently fails at a task (e.g. school work,
relationships, etc.) and is further told that the lack of success
is due to his or her being "dumb;" the individual will
eventually adopt the "dumb" label and failures will
continue to be a way of life.
Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner has postulated
that we all have varying degrees of multiple intelligences and
not just the two (linguistic and mathematical) which schools
typically address in their curricula. Gardner's theory of multiple
intelligences is especially useful for homeschoolers. Former
learning disabilities "specialist" and psychologist,
Thomas Armstrong has written two excellent books which discusses
and offers assistance (and resources) in using a multiple intelligence
approach to working with children.
Both Gardner and Armstrong strongly caution
against identifying a child as possessing only one or two of
the intelligences, while ignoring the full spectrum. The individual
categories should be viewed as tools to better understand the
various ways in which learning occurs so that you may best facilitate
your child(ren)'s learning. Should you find that your child is
very strong in one of the intelligences and very weak in all
of the others, it may be best to proceed with what works with
the child. However, it is important to keep in mind that children
have the capacity to change very quickly .... what worked well
one day may not be appropriate in a month.
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Learning & Personality
Styles
Another area of interest are the various learning
and personality types. Most are directed toward career and business
applications, but some also examine how children learn and how
best to work with certain types of personalities.
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) has
delineated sixteen different personality types based on the research
of psychoanalyst Carl Jung. Further branching off this theory,
the Keirsey Temperament Sorter states that there are four different
temperaments: artisans, guardians, idealists, and rationals.
Neither of these assessment instruments are really appropriate
for young children, however Keirsey does extrapolate his theory
to include some information pertinent to parents (see resources
on next page).
Further, psychologists/writers Paul Tieger
and Barbara Barron-Tieger have also focused on the extrovert/introvert,
sensor/intuitive, et al. traits in their own unique manner. Again,
most of their books provide information for adults seeking assistance
in their careers and relationships, but these authors have also
penned a wonderful book specifically dealing with children.
Regardless of whether you opt to follow Gardner's
MI theory or one of the other styles/traits avenues, or a little
bit of each - they can only serve to assist you in parenting
and homeschooling.
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