“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
— Albert Einstein
What does it mean to be smart?!
“It’s not how smart you are that matters; what really counts is how you are smart.” - Howard Gardner
Howard Gardner became widely known for his theory of Multiple Intelligences starting with, “Frames of Mind” in the 1980’s. While many educators share similar theories, and some (of course) question it’s validity, we find it to be extremely helpful in thinking about a holistic, strengths-based education. At Elements Academy, any time we are curious about a child, it’s a win-win. So being curious about their strengths and how they are ‘smart’ is common practice. Unfortunately, many traditional education systems don’t value (or understand, or even see) all types of smarts, so some kids receive the message that they’re not smart at all. We believe this couldn’t be further from the truth, so we’re on a mission to help show as many children as we can not just that they are smart, but HOW they are smart.
what are the benefits of knowing A child’S smartS?
FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS of said children:
better ability to teach and present information and opportunities in the way that will work for them
stronger connection and understanding of the child
less resistance and confusion with daily life, interactions, and tasks
FOR THE CHILDREN THEMSELVES:
increased self-awareness and sense of self
increased confidence and competence
more likely to succeed in a high-quality life (finding the right career and life path)
Here are the categories of ‘smarts’ as it began with Howard Gardner and has evolved over the years - and, as always, with our interpretation and spin on it from our experiences.
ARTISTIC
Artistically smart includes visual-spatial awareness, design (fashion, interior, ) and art (drawing, painting, photography) and so much more. Artistically smart kids are usually creative visionaries, visual learners, and soulful beings.
LINGUISTIC
Linguistically intelligent usually means an early reader and always have a book on hand. Linguistically smart kids are usually great with words in many forms - reading, writing, storytelling, and imagination just to name a few.
KINESTHETIC
Kinesthetically smart kids may have been early walkers, always balanced and coordinated, and constantly on the move. Kinesthetic intelligence means they're very body-wise - they learn best when their body is involved and active and they may veer towards a competitive edge in games and sports.
LOGICAL
Usually, logically smart kids have always been interested in numbers, patterns, and facts. This is likely to continue throughout their life and intertwine with their personality, learning style, and lifestyle.
PEOPLE
Being people smart may mean that your child is the life of the party. They're happiest when they're around people and they're probably best when working in groups, being with others, and learning through talking things through.
INTROSPECTIVE
ah :: gentle sigh :: introspective child are usually quiet observers - until they're comfortable and then they're not so quiet anymore. They take it all in and prefer to watch, listen, and process before jumping right into things. Being forced or around forceful people can be particularly intimidating and they likely learn best through self-paced, exploratory studies - especially when a topic is of interest and they immerse themselves completely. They understand themselves well, reflect often, and probably have BIG feelings and MANY questions :)
MUSICAL
Your musically smart child has probably been drumming spoons on pans since they mastered their grasp. Maybe you sang them to sleep as a baby, danced around the kitchen while you cooked, or offered plenty of opportunities for beat and rhythm to sneak into their daily life. Whatever you did that they enjoyed - keep doing it! Musically gifted kids are a true gift to the world. They do best when they're encouraged to explore in their own way so it makes sense to their creative mind. They also probably learn best through songs, tunes, or beats.
EARTHY
The world desperately needs more kids who are naturalistic by nature and spirit. The Earth needs some love - and you've got a kid who's ready to offer it some. Earthy smart kids usually love plants, gardens, trees, animals (even animals that other kids may be scared of or tentative about!) Children who love the Earth do best when they can explore their natural world, ground themselves outdoors, and breathe fresh air to feel fulfilled.