Albert Einstein and the theory of multiple intelligences

In the old days, kids who didn't excel in reading, writing and arithmetic were judged to be less intelligent that other kids. Kids with challenges like dyslexia, ADD or talent in extra-curricular areas like sports and music as opposed to traditional academics were judged to be emotionally sub-par.

Then, developmental psychologist Howard Gardner pioneered the theory of multiple intelligences in his 1983 book "Frames of Mind." Rather than judging all people by the same intellectual yardstick, like an IQ test, he proposed there were many different ways in which people can be adept. The eight abilities he chose are as follows (disclaimer, the following list is lifted straight from Wikipedia): musical–rhythmic, visual–spatial, verbal–linguistic, logical–mathematical, bodily–kinesthetic, interpersonal, intra-personal and naturalistic.

"He later suggested that existential and moral intelligence may also be worthy of inclusion," according to his Wiki profile.

The theory of multiple intelligences allows for the sensitive parent or teacher to focus on a child's specific strengths, cultivating, celebrating and encouraging them. A kid that is visual-spacial might turn out to be highly skilled at electronics or car repair, for instance, the kind of gifts that may well provide a rosy future for a kid who struggles with reading. Another child might find math an enormous challenge, but demonstrate a propensity for making friends, pleasing teachers and authority figures and helping her peers solve interpersonal problems. As an adult, she may well prove to be a fine business manager or a insightful psychologist, despite any deficit when it comes to numbers.

As educators have become more aware of the multiple intelligences, they have learned how important it is to provide extracurricular activities that appeal to each kind of thinker. A student who is musical-rhythmic and has access to music education, a student who has body-kinesthetic intelligence and is exposed to sports or dance and a student who has visual-spacial acumen and gets regular art instruction is far more likely to enjoy and stay in school and grow in their confidence and in the area of goal-setting. In short, they will see themselves as somebody, and as someone who is likely to be a successful adult.

Albert Einstein, who famously struggled during his early education, was on to this concept long before Mr. Gardner and his theory of multiple intelligences burst on the scene. Check out this spot-on quote by everyone's favorite genius, Albert Einstein.

Talk about a visionary!

--Sarah Torribio