If you have more than one child, you are probably aware that children learn in different ways. Good teachers quickly realize that within the classroom, there are many different ways of learning. Howard Gardner, author of Frames of Mind, divides intelligences into 8 categories. See if you can tell where you own children fit in.

1. Linguistic-the child has a sensitivity to the meaning and order of words. She tells jokes, riddles, stories, plays word games and has a large vocabulary.
2. Logical-mathematical-the child can handle chains of reasoning and recognizes patterns and order. He works with numbers; knows how things work and asks questions.
3. Musical-the child is sensitive to pitch, melody, rhythm and tone. She listens to and plays music; sings, hums and moves to music.
4. Bodily-kinesthetic-the child has the ability to use the body skillfully and handles objects well. He plays sports and is physically active; uses body language; dances, acts or engages in mime.
5. Spatial-the child can perceive the world accurately and can recreate or transform aspects of that world. She paints, draws, doodles; looks at maps, works on puzzles or mazes. She can take things apart and put them back together.
6. Naturalist-the child recognizes and classifies numerous species, the flora and fauna of an environment. He spends lots of time outdoors; observes plants, collects rocks and catches insects. He notices relationships in nature.
7. Interpersonal-the child understands people and relationships. She has many friends and is a team player.
8. Intrapersonal-the child accesses the emotional life as a means to understand himself and others. He controls his own feelings and moods; sets own agendas, observes and listens and works alone.

Frames of Mind (Basic Books, 1993), Howard Gardner

Marilyn & Sharon