Multiple intelligences is an idea developed by Howard Gardner and Harvard University's Project Zero. The belief is that everyone is intelligent in his or her own way and that learning is easiest and most effective when it uses a person's strengths instead of their weaknesses. For example, most schools use a linguistic and logical-mathematical approach when teaching, but not everyone learns that way. Some students, the bodily kinesthetic learners for example, learn best by touching and not by listening or reading. One child may be a very active hands-on learner who has a hard time sitting still to read. Although he is a good reader, he prefers to listen to audio versions of classical children's books while he draws or builds things. Another child may be the opposite. She might be a voracious reader and learns best by reading and then writing essays to show what she knows. Most successful homeschoolers naturally emphasize their children's strengths and automatically tailor their teaching to match their child's learning style. Successful homeschoolers also adjust their learning environment and schedule so that it brings out their child's best.
Typical Multiple Intelligences Schedule
The goal in multiple intelligences homeschooling is to adapt scheduling and materials so that they bring out and work with the child's natural strengths.
- Reading: One child may begin reading at age five, another child may not be ready until age seven. One child may learn best by being read to and by listening to audiotapes; another child may carry a book around all day.
- Writing: One child may like to write with a pen or pencil, another child may prefer typing his work on a computer, and still another child may feel frustrated by the writing process and prefer to give oral reports of what she's learned.
- Math: Some children learn well from workbooks, other children prefer using hands-on manipulatives like beads or fraction rods. Still others do math quickly and easily in their head and feel frustrated when forced to answer problems on paper
- Science: Almost all children learn science best by having plenty of hands-on experiences.
- History/Geography: Children learn best by "doing," so families plan activities where the child can experience for themselves the clothing, food, and music of a particular era or culture.
- Music/Sports/Arts: Families expose children to a variety of experiences, watch to see which activities spark their children's passion, and then support their children in that activity.
- Natural Intelligence is the ability to connect with one's environment and nature.