Multiple Intelligences Theory
Originally posted on March 7, 2020 on Facebook Notes on my Facebook page
When I took the Intro to Psychology course at Bucks County Community College, I had to write an essay about the Multiple Intelligences Theory and as many of you know, I always post my relatable essays on my blog and I finally got around to posting this one. The Multiple Intelligences Theory invented by Howard Gardner shows that everyone has different abilities and are gifted in some area. As the saying goes, "Everyone has a talent" whether they are artistic, good at math, science, singing, acting, writing, problem-solving, or else what. Teaching this theory in classrooms for students of all abilities and all ages is a wonderful lesson especially in inclusion classrooms because it shows that despite people's differences whether they have a disability/disabilities, their race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, socioeconomic status, family life, etc., they are just like everyone else are so many ways too and educates about all of the types of abilities that people have. In this blog post, I explain what the Multiple Intelligences Theory is and analyze what types of smarts that I have as an example.
We all have different abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory assesses everyone's strengths showing that everyone has different abilities and are gifted in some areas. There are eight intelligences in this developmental psychologist's theory which are Visual-Spatial Intelligence, Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence, Logical-Mathematical Intelligence, Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence, Musical Intelligence, Interpersonal Intelligence, Intrapersonal Intelligence, and Naturalistic Intelligence. According to Psychology Today's "Multiple Intelligences & Learning Styles Test", I have one hundred percent of Intrapersonal Intelligence. In addition, according to Literacy Net's "Find Your Strengths!" assessment, I have 4.71% of Intrapersonal (Self) Intelligence, 4.71% of Interpersonal (Social) Intelligence, and 4.14% of Spatial Intelligence.
In regards to my Intrapersonal Intelligence, I agree that I have many parts of intrapersonal intelligence. I am skilled at "analyzing" lesson and classroom management ideas as a teacher (Cherry 2019). While following the curriculum, I also pick lesson activities and differentiations according to my students' interests and abilities. For example, my current students really like to participate in any hands-on activities so I sing a lot of movement songs with them during circle time and teach many arts and crafts lessons to keep them engaged. In addition, I have high "self-awareness" (Cherry 2019). As part of my character, I am selfless, hardworking, and kind. I am selfless and kind because I am very passionate about dedicating my time to being giving to causes for people who are less fortunate or in need. I am hardworking because I never give up even during difficult times in order to succeed and do everything that I am supposed to do because I take my goals seriously. As part of my motives and desires, I have several goals and achievements in my teaching career. I am currently working as an assistant toddler teacher to eighteen to twenty-four month olds because I love working with babies. My credentials are my Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and I am very close to earning my Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. I also want to get my Bachelor's degree in Special Education to become a Life Skills teacher because I am very passionate about helping the disability community. Before becoming a Special Education teacher, I also want to be a Direct Support Professional (DSP), then a Therapeutic Support Staff (TSS), and then, a Special Educational paraprofessional. My motive for my dream of being a Special Educator is my involvement in my high school's Buddy Club. Buddy Club is a club open to all Lower Moreland High School students for helping and being a friend to the Life Skills students in the school district and I joined the club in ninth grade because of my love for helping others. After only two months of being a buddy, I loved the club so much that that field has been my dream job ever since and I am still involved in the club even as an alumni. As part of my passion for this cause, I am also a volunteer for a disability social group called Horizons which is managed by the Bryn Athyn Church and volunteer for the Autism Cares Foundation.
In regards to my Interpersonal Intelligence, I agree that I have many parts of interpersonal intelligence. I am able to "see situations from a variety of different perspectives" as an advocate for many causes, especially disabilities (Cherry 2019). I am very understanding of the disability community's struggles and it comes very easy to me when working with them. I am very in tune to understanding and accommodating their needs and in tune to knowing the signs of a variety of disabilities. I also create positive close relationships with my students and their families. We communicate with each other daily every day formally and informally about their child's day, development, needs, and share questions and concerns about them. I greet them with a smile and "hello" when I see them during drop off and pick-up time. I make sure to tell each family at least one thing about their child's day when they arrive at the end of the day. When comes to sharing questions and concerns, I always start out with saying something positive about their child to make them feel better about the situation. In addition, I am skilled at "nonverbal communication" because I teach my toddler students Baby Sign Language (Cherry 2019). They have verbal language skills, but they are very limited because they are so young so I teach and review new signs with them every day during circle time. I incorporate them into the classroom too to give them the opportunity to apply this way of communicating. Besides teaching Sign Language to my students, I constantly show them affection and empathy to keep the environment positive. I let the babies sit on my lap, play with, smile and laugh with them, comfort them when they are unhappy, let them express their emotions, and do whatever I can to keep them pleased.
In regards to my Visual-Spatial Intelligence, I have always enjoyed reading, writing, and all types of art. I enjoy reading informational books about my career field and novels about the disability community. My favorite book that I read is Wonder written by R.J. Palacio and it is based off the true events of the life of a boy with facial differences. As part of my love for writing, I have a blog dedicated to posting about advocating for the disability community that I write on daily. My posts include but are not limited to quote analyses, volunteering at disability support events, life as a teacher and aspiring Special Educator, and blog posts about types of disabilities and social issues that the disability community faces. The types of art that I like to make are drawing, bracelet making, and even crafts with my students. I make bracelets out of embroidery string and into a variety of designs. I even enjoy prepping crafts for my lesson activities because not only am I passionate about my field, but making art is very therapeutic too.
From this information about my results from taking the two Multiple Intelligences quizzes, I agree with the intelligences that the assessments say I have. I am skilled at analyzing lesson and classroom management ideas for my students, I am selfless, hardworking, and kind, and have a lot going for me in my career path as part of my Intrapersonal Intelligence. I see situations from a variety of perspectives, I have positive close relationships with the people that I serve and their families in my job, and I am skilled at nonverbal communication with my toddler students as part of my Interpersonal Intelligence. My visual-spatial hobbies include reading, writing, and art. I will continue to put my gifts that I have in my intelligences to even better use.
1. Cherry, K. (2019). Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/gardners-theory-of-multiple-intelligences-2795161
2. Multiple Intelligences & Learning Style Test. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/tests/iq/multiple-intelligences-learning-style-test
3. Assessment: Find Your Strengths! (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.literacynet.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html
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