Multiple Intelligence: Every Person is Special

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At the end of school year, when the parents come to school to take the Report Book of their kids, the first question always come up in discussion between parents and the teachers or parents and parents is about "the ranking of the kids". This situation happened years after years at schools until the kids graduate from the school. 

Well, it could be something to be proud of, if their kids get great achievements and for sure it will also give positive impact to the kids. Parents are happy, and the kids are happy too. But, how about the kids who couldn't achieve the scores of standard of the subjects, and they don't get any rank at the classroom? It could be the worst day for those kids, and it will be remain on their mind. Of course, it also gives impact to their mental health. 

Agree, that curricula of education is given from the government, and every schools must be follow it. But there's a space to be creative in teaching all those subject. That's why it's very important for the teacher to learn about how to manage their class. The teacher should have competences to teach. One of them is, the teacher has ability to know the character of their students. 

Howard Gardner in his book, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences (Basic Books, 1983)  is the answer to many questions about intelligence of the kids that have to be learnt by all the teachers. We all had students who didn't fit the mold; we knew the students were bright, but they didn't excel on tests. Gardner's claim that there are several different kinds of intelligence that gave us understanding how to teach the students in different way. First of all, the teacher should understand what is the intelligence of every single student in their classroom. The teacher would look at what the students could do well, instead of what they could not do.

Multiple Intelligence 

Howard Gardner identifies seven different kinds of intelligence in Frames of Mind: 

  • Linguistic intelligence: a sensitivity to the meaning and order of words.
  • Logical-mathematical intelligence: ability in mathematics and other complex logical systems.
  • Musical intelligence: the ability to understand and create music. Musicians, composers and dancers show a heightened musical intelligence.
  • Spatial intelligence: the ability to "think in pictures," to perceive the visual world accurately, and recreate (or alter) it in the mind or on paper. Spatial intelligence is highly developed in artists, architects, designers and sculptors.
  • Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: the ability to use one's body in a skilled way, for self-expression or toward a goal. Mimes, dancers, basketball players, and actors are among those who display bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
  • Interpersonal intelligence: an ability to perceive and understand other individuals -- their moods, desires, and motivations. Political and religious leaders, skilled parents and teachers, and therapists use this intelligence.
  • Intrapersonal intelligence: an understanding of one's own emotions. Some novelists and or counselors use their own experience to guide others. 
An awareness of multiple-intelligence theory has stimulated teachers to find more ways of helping all students in their classes. For the parents, will be more understand about their kids, and let them explore their study process in many ways. 





"I believe every person has the ability to achieve something important, and with that in mind I regard everyone as special"
Mary Kay Ash








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