Multiple intelligence test for children
Howard Gardner has a theory of multiple intelligence which is based on the idea that every person’s intelligence is made up of multiple ‘intelligences’, and each of these has its own self-sufficient operating system within the person’s brain. These intelligences include spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, verbal-linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, naturalist and interpersonal.
The verbal-linguistic intelligence involves the usage of both spoken and written language for communication. The individuals who possess the verbal-linguistic intelligence are responsive to the sounds, meanings, and rhythms of words. They like reading , tongue twisters, poetry, humor, riddles, puzzles and puns.
The logical-mathematical intelligence involves the use of nonrepresentational relationships present in terms of either symbols or numbers. It also includes the use of analysis and logic in the sense of analyzing poetry or the logical construction of an essay. The individual’s who possess the logical-mathematical intelligence enjoy problem solving, pattern games, number games, and experimenting. They also do well in writing which entails argumentation, classification, analysis, explanations and definition.
American schools favor the children who stand out in the analytical and linguistic areas since these skills are valued highly in the American culture. However, this kind of approach leaves some students neglected trying to make sense of themselves in an educational institution which does not give any value or credit to their unique capabilities. A multiple intelligence test for children is necessary in schools. Traditional approaches, i.e. the development of linguistic and analytical skills of children, should not be rejected in favor of radical approaches to a child’s education. Yet, both the nontraditional and traditional approaches to education should be used in conjunction to build a model of education which suits the students in the classrooms.
The concept of a multiple intelligence test for children as formulated by Howard Gardner, provides a balance which instructs students what they should know to achieve success in the American society in a way which compliments the distinctive qualities which every child possesses.
How do you implement this theory of a multiple intelligence test for children in the classroom? A lot has been done in the name of multiple intelligences without actually making any difference to the child’s brain. A student who conceives of a dance based on a literary work and expresses the nature of the work to an audience is definitely portraying the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, but a student running around randomly in the classroom without any thought being stimulated in the child’s brain does not amount to a demonstration of the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. You can implement the multiple intelligence tests for children by:
- You can use a situation which is associated with your content - controversial content works the best - and make students discuss it. You can use a situation called ‘the Soldier’s Dilemma’ to talk about themes found in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and in literary works from the Realism movement.
- You can use an opinionnaire as an introductory activity which induces thought in the students and can also be used for essay assignments.
- You can take a novel or a play by Shakespeare and ask your students to enact a part from the work of literature that you have selected.
- Ask your students to do a research project in a way which matches their own intelligence, such as a research of 1920s America as a background to The Great Gatsby.