Today begins an eight-part series on how God has made each of us smart.
Now, you might be thinking, “Oh, well, maybe YOU are smart, but I’m not. . .and I have the grades to prove it!
Uh-huh. I understand!
And I beg to differ.
You are smart. And so are each of your kids. It’s just that most of us have never learned that there are different ways of being smart. We learned a long time ago that “smart” people were good at math or science, and good at using words and taking tests. Those are the kids that got straight “A’s”, got scholarships, and got degrees. If we didn’t happen to fit that mold, we assumed (or were told) that we were NOT smart. We might be nice, good-looking, hard workers. . . but not SMART.
However, more than thirty years ago, a new way of looking at “smart” hit the academic world when Dr. Howard Gardner of Harvard University published his book, Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Gardner defined intelligence as “the ability to solve problems or to create products that are valued within one or more cultural settings,” and after a massive amount of research, he suggested that, rather than a single number (your IQ), intelligence was actually a grouping of autonomous—yet related—areas in the brain. To date, eight intelligences have been identified: Intrapersonal, Naturalist, Musical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Math-Logical, and Linguistic. (Notice that the last two are what most people consider to be the definition of “smart.”)
One of the most incredible aspects of Multiple Intelligences is that every person on the planet has all of these intelligences in their brain, with a distinct blend of strengths and weaknesses. You—and each of your kids—are uniquely smart! And, understanding this will make a HUGE difference in the way you approach your children’s education.
So, here is the first intelligence to consider—Intrapersonal or Knowing Yourself (excerpted from my book, Reaping the Harvest):
“This intelligence could be described as being ‘Self Smart.’ It does NOT mean being self-centered, self-absorbed, or selfish. Instead, it is the ability to be alone, solitary, by yourself without being afraid or bored. The ability to spend time alone in God’s Word and in prayer requires intrapersonal intelligence. It is to be aware of your own strengths and limitations, to be confident in facing personal challenges. A person who is strong intrapersonally is able to stand against the crowd and do what he knows is right. I hope you are starting to see the incredible value this intelligence plays in our lives as Christians. People who are strong in this intelligence could be counselors, pastors, philosophers, entrepreneurs, pioneers, test pilots, writers, and people who study thinking (metacognition).
Eric Liddell, the Olympian whose life is portrayed in Chariots of Fire, gives an excellent example of the intrapersonal intelligence. He was able to withstand the incredible pressure of the press and the aristocracy of Great Britain when they tried to coerce him to run his 100-meter Olympic race regardless of his conviction against competing on Sunday. Instead, he did what he believed to be right and ended up winning the quarter-mile race, an event he had not even trained for!”
Are you refreshed and rejuvenated by having some alone time? If so, that is a good indication you have a strong Intrapersonal intelligence. With that in mind, recognize that one of the most important things you can do for the Intrapersonal intelligence people in your life is to give them plenty of free time for thinking, reflecting, and being alone. Students who are strong intrapersonally will appreciate the opportunity for self-directed and independent study, and may need your support for their creative or entrepreneurial adventures!
My History Revealed curriculum includes numerous opportunities and projects for each of the 8 Intelligences, including the Intrapersonal Intelligence! You can learn more about the curriculum here. And you can see an example of an Intrapersonal activity here.