Lesson 1: Natural Learning
Learning Styles
One important argument against conventional schooling is that it doesn't support–or can't support–a variety of different learning styles. This prejudice may result in misdiagnoses of learning disabilities.
In 1983, Howard Gardner, a researcher and professor, proposed that individuals possess at least seven basic intelligences in differing levels with some types more prominent than others. This creates differing learning styles. The seven intelligences are linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal.
"I was claiming that all human beings possess not just a single intelligence (often called 'g' for general intelligence.) Rather, as a species we human beings are better described as having a set of relatively autonomous intelligences. Most lay and scholarly writings about intelligence focus on a combination of linguistic and logical intelligences–the intellectual strengths, I often maintain, of a law professor. However, a fuller appreciation of human beings occurs if we take into account spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligences. While we all have these intelligences, individuals differ for both genetic and experiential reasons in their respective profiles of intellectual strengths and weaknesses. No intelligence is in and of itself artistic or non-artistic; rather several intelligences can be put to aesthetic ends, if individuals so desire. No direct educational implications follow from this psychological theory; but if individuals differ in their intellectual profiles, it makes sense to take this fact into account in devising an educational system." - Howard Gardner.
Even without categorizing intelligences Mr. Gardner has (described below), most people would agree that we don’t all learn in the same way. Unschooling allows children to intuitively learn in the easiest and most enjoyable way for them.
Linguistic: The ability to use words effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to change the meaning, sound, or structure of language. Children with strong linguistic intelligence learn easily from lectures, discussions, word games, storytelling, reading, writing, etc. (given that they are interested in the subject and activity, of course.)
Logical-Mathematical: The ability to use numbers effectively and to use reason well, including the ability to form logical relationships, patterns, and propositions (i.e. if this-than that; cause and effect). Children with strong logical intelligence learn easily from brain teasers, science experiments, number games, critical thinking, workbooks, etc.
Spatial: The ability to perceive the visual-spatial world accurately and to change perceptions visually, including a sensitivity to colors, line, shape, form, and space. Children with strong spatial intelligence learn easily from visual presentations, art activities, metaphor, imagination games, etc.
Bodily-Kinesthetic: The ability to use one’s whole body to express ideas and feelings and to use one’s hands to create things, including physical skills such as coordination, balance, dexterity, strength, and speed. Children with strong bodily intelligence learn easily from hands-on activities, tactile experiences, drama, dance, relaxation exercises, etc.
Musical: The ability to perceive, discriminate, create, and express musical forms, including a sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, and tone of music. Children with strong musical intelligence learn easily from songs, rhythms, etc.
Interpersonal: The ability to perceive the moods, intentions, motivations, and feelings of other people, including a sensitivity to facial expressions, voice, and gestures. Children with strong interpersonal intelligence learn easily from group activities, peer tutoring, social gatherings, one-on-one conversations, etc.
Intrapersonal: The ability to act adaptively on the basis of self-knowledge, including having an accurate self-image, awareness of inner moods, intentions, motivations, self-discipline, self-understanding, and self-esteem. Children with strong intrapersonal intelligence learn easily from individualized instruction, independent study, self-esteem building, etc.
”Traditionally, schools have emphasized the logical-mathematical and linguistic intelligences to the near-exclusion of the rest. Those of us whose gifts lie within other areas often have a difficult time in conventional school settings, even to the extent of being judged learning-disabled or handicapped in some manner. Even worse, the demands of conventional school may make it difficult or impossible to develop our native talents enough to discover what we are really good at.“ - Mary Griffith, author of The Unschooling Handbook.
In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's Multiple Intelligences by Thomas Armstrong is available from FUN Books, http://fun-books.com
