Kara Blevins

ECD 160

11/23/18
Milestone Three

The theory of multiple intelligences created by Howard Gardner states that everyone has

a different type (or multiple types) of intelligence. Howard Gardner has created eight different

categories of intelligence, with a possible ninth on the way. While many people agree with

Gardner’s theory, it also gets its fair share of criticism from psychologists. Some phycologists

and educators believe Gardner simply states personality traits or abilities, and that his categories

are too broad. The eight different categories include visual-spatial, linguistic-verbal, logical-

mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic

intelligence.

The strengths of a visual-spatial learner include visual or spatial judgment and awareness,

giving them an advantage with directions, puzzles, interpreting graphs, and recognizing patterns

clearly. They can usually see an entire picture clearly, but could possibly miss details. For people

with linguistic-verbal intelligence, they most likely have an easy time with words, writing, and

language. For example, they have an effortless time remembering spoken or written language,

writing stories debating, and giving persuasive speeches. Those who learn logical-

mathematically have strengths such as reasoning, logically analyzing problems, and have an easy

time with mathematical operations. The strengths of a bodily-kinesthetic learner include

performing actions, good hand-eye coordination, and they tend to remember by doing instead of

seeing. Someone with musical intelligence is good at recognizing musical patterns as well as

tones, singing or playing a musical instrument, and are overall

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ECD 160

11/23/18
good at remembering anything musical. While intrapersonal and interpersonal may

sound similar they have many differences. Intrapersonal learners have strengths such as being

aware of their own emotional state, self-reflection, and analyzing theories. With interpersonal

learners they tend to understand and interact with other people very well, can see situations from

many perspectives, and communicate well verbally. Finally, naturalistic learners tend to find

patterns and relations to nature and can notice even a slight change in their environment, this was

the newest addition to Gardner’s theory.

From my research, I also learned that depending on which intelligence you have, you

may do better in a specific job field. For example, those who have visual-spatial intelligence may

do best with jobs like an architect, engineer, artist, or a graphic designer. If a person is stronger

in their linguistic-verbal intelligence they may find themselves in jobs such as teaching, writing,

journalism, or a lawyer. Jobs that would go with logical-mathematical intelligence include a

scientist, mathematician, engineer, accountant, and computer programmer. If you seem to be in

the body-kinesthetic category of intelligence you will most likely have a career as a dancer,

builder, sculptor, or actor. Those who have musical intelligence will do better in jobs as a

conductor, singer, composer, singer, or music teacher. If someone has interpersonal intelligence

they have a higher chance of becoming a psychologist, counselor, salesperson, philosopher, or

politician. With intrapersonal intelligence, you may want to consider jobs such as becoming a

writer, philosopher, scientist, or theorist. Finally, if you are of naturalistic intelligence you should

try careers like becoming a gardener, biologist, farmer, or conservationist (Cherry, 2018)

The main difference between multiple intelligences and learning styles is that while

multiple intelligence shows how people process information, learning styles show how people
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approach tasks differently. The seven different learning styles are visual, physical, aural, logical,

verbal, social, and solidarity. Visual learning is very similar to Gardner’s theory of visual-spatial

intelligence. People who learn visually will prefer to use pictures, videos, and diagrams to learn.

Physical learners understand things by doing them, creating diagrams, or using a physical object,

which is very similar to Gardner’s bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. Next, there is aural learning

which is people who learn best from sound, rhymes, or songs. Logical learning is done through

realizing the reasons behind what you are learning so you can see the entire picture. If you learn

verbally than you usually learn by reading out loud or writing things down. Social learning

includes the people who work very well in groups and will try to work with others as much as

possible. Solidary learners tend to work best on their own or through self-study (Ferriman,

2013).

My particular intelligences are bodily-kinesthetic and visual-spatial. Since I relate most

with body-kinesthetic I learn by holding or doing something the best. I have to physically try

something in order to learn it instead of just watching. Since I am a dancer bodily-kinesthetic

intelligence makes sense. I do well with learning through movement and memorizing through

moving as well. The other intelligence that I relate to is visual-spatial. This is sometimes called

“picture smart”. By looking at visual icons it helps you learn and remember which I can

definitely say helps me. Whenever there is a picture I can see what I am trying to learn and it

helps me process the new information. After researching about multiple intelligences and

learning styles I realized everyone learns differently and there are many ways to help children

who learn in other ways to understand their work. Starting with bodily-kinesthetic learners like

myself. There are many ways to make learning easier such as adding movement into classes or
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ECD 160

11/23/18
more hands-on activities. Something else that helps bodily-kinesthetic learners is breaking

lessons into chunks to take breaks as well as switching locations for the lesson. Since I also learn

visual-spatially I also researched a few methods that would help when learning this way. For

visual-spatial learners, you can have them take the time to close their eyes and visualize what

they are trying to learn. Another efficient way to help visual-spatial learners grasp a concept is to

have them draw pictures of what they are learning, watch a video, and use illustrated reading

materials.

I feel as if knowing about kids different intelligences and learning styles are very

important as a teacher so that each child is able to understand. If I had to learn only auditorily

than I most likely would struggle in that class, but if I am able to have a visual or physical

representation of what I am trying to learn it will be more likely to “click”. Everyone does not

learn the same and to have different learning styles incorporated into a lesson will more likely

further every child’s education. One of the articles I researched for this paper made an amazing

point. It is nearly impossible to integrate every learning style into every lesson plan, so it is very

important to try out different ones and take notes of which work the best. Overall it is important

to mix it up in the classroom and remember that each child is individual and we need to give

them options to explore. Learning styles and Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory are

great resources that should be utilized in the classroom for every child’s success.

References

Cherry, K. (2018, October 22). Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences. Retrieved November

25, 2018, from Verywell Mind website: https://www.verywellmind.com/gardners-theory-

of-multiple-intelligences-2795161
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ECD 160

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Differentiating instruction for multiple intelligences and learning styles. (2016, March 8).

Retrieved November 25, 2018, from The Inclusive Lab website:

http://blog.brookespublishing.com/differentiating-instruction-for-multiple-intelligences-

and-learning-styles/

Ferriman, J. (2013, May 17). 7 major learning styles-which one are you? Retrieved November

25, 2018, from Learn Dash website: https://www.learndash.com/7-major-learning-styles-

which-one-is-you/

Teaching Strategies that Meet the Needs of Kinesthetic Learners. (2016, February 3). Retrieved

November 26, 2018, from Child1st website:

https://child1st.com/blogs/resources/113159303-teaching-strategies-that-meet-the-needs-

of-kinesthetic-learners