Characterized by:

• Sensitivity to one’s feelings and moods
• Knowledge of own strengths and weaknesses
• Frequent use of self-knowledge to guide decision-making and goal setting activities

Manifestations of Intrapersonal Intelligence:

• The ability to control feelings and moods
• Highly observant
• Drive for self-actualization
• The ability to express the self through various kinds of symbols
• An awareness of a higher order of thinking
• Active search for identity
• Curiosity about the “why” of things
• The ability to manage personal growth
• The desire to work alone.

How do you enhance your child’s intrapersonal intelligence?

Treat your children to a BACON SANDWICH if they manifest this type of intelligence:

Begin a business undertaking.
Attend a seminar on self-improvement.
Concentrate on motivational audio-cassettes.
Observe time for regular reflection in a quiet place at home.
Note down ideas, feelings and memories in a a daily diary.
Share time with people who have a strong sense of self.
Attend retreats.
Note accomplishments and life stories of famous personalities.
Develop short- and long-term goals and review them regularly.
Work on a new skill in an area of interest by oneself.
Initiate self-discovery by reading self-motivation books.
Compose affirmation statements and regularly recite them.
Have “self-talks” and learn to meditate.

NATURALIST INTELLIGENCE

Characterized by:
• Sensitivity to the natural world
• The ability to see connection and patterns within the plant and animal kingdoms.

Manifestations of Naturalist Intelligence:
• Care and concern for plants, trees and flowers
• Keeping a seashell collection
• Delight in the sounds of nature
• Getting excited about biological museum tours
• An awareness of the importance of proper garbage and waste disposal
• Being awed by and absorbed in natural phenomena
• Interest in scientific experiments, especially those relating to life sciences
• Attraction to natural settings
• Deep concern for pets
• Interest in fossils.

How do you enhance your child’s naturalist intelligence?

Children who manifest this type on intelligence should be given servings of TUNA SASHIMI:

Take responsibility for particular animals and plants.
Undertake the growing of an organic garden, and learn how to crop, graft or pollinate plants.
Note marine life during visits to lakes, rivers, beaches or the sea.
Assume leadership roles in hands-on scientific and biological experiments.
Study under the shade of a tree.
Advocate environmental consciousness and disseminate information on the dangers of ozone depletion.
Study Archaeology and visit archeological sites whenever possible.
Have regular trips to the forest to become familiar with the different types of trees, herbs, and plants.
Initiate tree-planting activities in the school or immediate environment.
Make time to visit botanical gardens and zoological museums.
Initiate an information drive about the harmful effects of solid waste.

THE POTS & PANS OF TEACHING

Neuroscientists have long been trying to unravel the mysteries of the brain: how it is structured, and how it works.

A great many questions remain, but some definite answers have been found through painstaking research and experiments.

Following are some of the learning-related answers. I call them “the pots and pans of teaching” because they are basic, all-around utensils. A parent must bear them always in mind, no matter what learning styles or multiple intelligences dish they are trying to cook up for their children.

By the way, I am inviting school heads from both private and public schools and all those interested to learn to the launching of my five books via a whole day seminar at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center in Makati (AIM ACCM) on Dec. 3. The seminar aptly entitled “Winning Ideas and Strategies in Education”, is a compendium of the books I am releasing on that day, namely: Cooking Up a Creative Genius (for parents); Super Teacher (for learning facilitators); MINDful Ideas (for general reading); Using Passion and Laughter in Your Presentations (for trainors and teachers); and Aha! I Gotcha! (for students). For particulars, contact 0920-446-9398 and 0927-455-9912 or email me at htenedero@yahoo.com

(Henry S. Tenedero is the president of the Center for Learning and Teaching Styles, an affiliate of the International Learning Styles Network, based at St. John’s University in New York. He is a graduate of the AIM Masters in Development management and of the Harvard Graduate School for Professional Educators. He is the author of the following books: Cooking Up A Creative Genius; The HI CLASS Teacher, Breakthrough Ideas in Education; and Using Passion and Laughter in Your Presentations.)