Why is Multiple Intelligence important in Children's Ministry?

Dr. Howard Gardner is the person who came up with the theory of multiple intelligence. Multiple intelligence means says there are different ways each learns. Dr. Gardner came up with 8 ways in which we learn. Each of these ways need to be explored in every classroom.  Although, many educators use it as a secondary process behind teaching strategies.  I believe this to be a mistake. Learning always starts with the learner. Therefore,  in  children's ministries across the nation we need to be using multiple intelligence in order to empower children to learn.

The 8 forms of intelligence are logical/mathematical, linguistic, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and natural. In order to use these learning styles effectively takes two forms of planning. The first is open-ended questions to ask children  to inspire critical thinking. The second is a classroom  environment  designed to engage all forms of intelligence. Children’s Ministers and volunteers can use these strategies  to enrich the children's  experience and development in Christianity.

Understanding Safe Sleep

I am a member of the Georgia Infant Safe Sleep Commission or GISSC. This is a, coalition of governmental, eeducational, and nonprofits who work together to help parents to develop safe sleeping habits for their babies. The process of safe sleeping says: Infants should sleep alone, on a firm matress, with a light cover. Ideally matress pads, crib bumpers and pillows are not in the crib or bassinet.


Now, let me tell you why. Because it is better to be safe and to error on the side of caution. Do not get me wrong, I am not one of those overly cautious parent educators who think parents need to be watching children 24/7 or else. I am however wanting parents to recognize the fact that knowing better means doing better. I work on the Coalition with a GBI medical examiner who does autopsies on all children under five. She had spoken to us on several occasions about how devastating it is to parents who wake up to find their child has died in bed with them.

I often hear people say families have been co-sleeping for generations, which of course is true. But, matresses have also changed. Most people think the danger of  suffication for an infant is rolling over on a child.  But, in  reality the danger comes from a parrot rolling over and the baby rolling over onto their face and not being able to breathe. A sleeping parent rarely realizes their rolling during sleep. Yet, many infants have died this way. One infant dying this,way is one too many when we know better. Let your child sleep alone in a basdinette next to your bed if you want them close to you.

Parenting is mostly about examining your feelings, thoughts and actions and choosing what is best for your child. Snuggling is certainly important part of bonding. Sleeping together is fun and creates a closeness. However,  there is a time for everything wait to snuggle while sleeping until you child is older . It will be safer.

Fighting ISIS with Multiple Intelligences

After reading Scott Atrum's article in the Guardian  it convinced me, even more about the importance of building strong, emotionally connected mentoring relationships with outr children as they become teens. Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/15/terrorists-isis

Mr. Atrum speaks regarding the ISIS strategy to entice our kids into thinking positively and purposely using their disgruntled teen angs against them. Getting them to see themselves as serving the greater good by joining terrorism ranks. It is time we in the Western world fight back.

Fighting back however can not take place via lectures or shoulds from parental anger or frustration. Rather we help them by connecting them to their own identity. We can only do this by connecting them to their own heart-felt, inner desires.

This suggest we teach them to recognize their own beliefs, abilities, passion, and purpose. We do this by introducing them to their own MI. Here is some information.

Multiple Intelligence the Basics

Multiple Intelligences (Seven Frames of Mind)

Dr Howard Gardner is the person who is best known for this theory. In his opinion all people are intelligent. Most parents will see their child’s tendency for intelligence early in life. Children tend to show how they learn instinctively. Does your child, talk endlessly; are they constantly trying to figure out how things work, are they airways doing some for of physical activity? They are showing you their propensity for intelligence. In our culture the tendency is to value only those who have a head for language or logical intelligence. Dr. Gardner has stated that the school system is set up to value these types of learning. This can be a dangerous attitude for our children. Many children do just fine in school. However, we need to recognize that not everyone has the ability to be a straight A student. Some people need to work harder to learn because in school using verbal and  logical forms of intelligence is the norm. We need to encourage all learning types. So that we can recognize the obvious intelligence of a person like Dr. Phil who is very intellectual and verbal; and also value the intellectual ability of Thomas Kincaid “the’ painter of lights”; two obviously successful men with two very different forms of Intelligence.

According Dr. Gardner there are eight forms of Intelligence they are as follows:

Linguistic - Word

Logical/Mathematical - Numerical/Measuring

Spatial- Picture

Body Kinesthetic- Physical/Hands-on

Musical- Rhythm/Sounds/Music

Interpersonal- People Knowledge/Takling

Intrapersonal - Self Knowledge/Introspective

Naturalist- Nature/Outdoors

Each of these intelligences is important to various career and personal goals or ambitions. However, all of us are gifted with some of each. The idea is to see and use the predominate form of intelligence in each of us. The way to do this is to focus on the strength of each area. The following information gives some examples.

Linguistic uses words or language to learn. The process of learning involves lots of words both spoken and written.

A person with linguistic intelligence might be a voracious reader.

Logical-Mathematical uses logic or numbers to learn. These people primarily need to find the logic or numeral use. A logical-mathematical person may like puzzles or to discover why something works.

Spatial leaning involves being able to see a vision of the learning. These people use design, pictures, and other artistic means. A person with spatial intelligence may learn by drawing an image of their understanding of the information.

Body Kinesthetic learns mainly through hands-on and concrete methods. This person needs to see, taste, hear, smell and interact with concepts to learn them. A person with body kinesthetic intelligence benefits from doing activities they can be involved in a physical way.

Music learning involves using sounds or rhythms to learn. These folks learn through the creation of music, sounds, and rhythmic patterns. A person with this kind of learning may need to place information into song or rhythmic pattern to get an understanding.

Intrapersonal learning involves relating the information through self-reflection. This person may need quiet time to reflect on how this information fits into his or her own personal world.

Interpersonal learning involves interaction with others.

This person may need to discuss the information with others or be involved in a group project.

Naturalist learning involves outdoor or nature involved learning. This person may need to be involved in an outdoor activity or an environmental project to fully understand the information.

When individuals figure out what they are good at and enjoy it is easier to find passion and,purpose from within. Those who have this,are less likely to accept someone else's idea of purpose as their own. This combined with living authenticity can become powerful weapons in keeping ISIS from recruiting western teens to their cause!

Sex Trafficking and Parenting

Does this seem like an odd posting? Be warned I am being both graphic and real here. Unless and until we face this issue our girls will continue to be commodities rather than children.

There are 100 thousand children in the United States who are being sex trafficked everyday, in every city in America.  There are men who are willing to rape our babies. They are even willing to pay other men to do so.

 The average young girl who is forced into prostitution is aged 11 to 14. What happenes to this young girl starts with  her parents being absent in one way or another. A predator sneaks in to fill the gap.  Telling her that she's loved,  that she's cared for, buying her gifts basically getting her to fall in love with them. Their objective is only to turn her a few days, weeks, or months later into a street whore. The process sets them up to be gang raped, beaten, demoralized to strip her of both of her dignity and humanity. To turn her into a product, a slave to be bought and sold on the streets of America.

Parents you have  a role  in this scenario you can  build strong, loving, committed relationships with your children. Know who their friends are, where they are going and with whom. Help them find purpose and focus by helping them to find what they are passionate about and help them build good solid rrelationshis with other kids.

Pimps look for kids who are lonely, vulnerable, with low self-esteem, or who are foster kids or in group homes. Parents are the only ones who have continuous ability to give kids the tools they need to avoid being targeted! Please do your part.

I know this is hard to hear and even harder to believe. Before you right off my warning read the first three chapters of this book.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/?ean=9780989645126

Believe in Parenting

Living with someone Else's Kids

I'm excited to share this article with you. It was in collaboration with  roomiconnect an organization that helps people consider what it means to be a roommate.  If you are considering moving in with someone else who has children, this article gives you somethings to  think about. I want to thank Nicole Hamilton and the team at roomiconnect. Let me know what you think.

Living with Kids

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Your Help would be most Valued!

At 13 years old when I first started working with kids, I fell in love with them. 10 years later after I graduated from college and started to learn about children, wards of the state who lived without their families did I start of my journey into becoming a parent development guide. It was talking to these 9, 10, and 11 year olds and hearing their stories which lead me on the path I am now on.

The last 30 years it has become my desire and my goal to help every adult become healthy,  whole, and effective in their roles as parents. 



Parents, Teachers, and Advocates has our first opportunity  to speak to a national audience at the Fathers and Families Coalition of America 17th annual National Conference. This the largest coalition in the US dealing with fatherhood for Black and Latino Dads. However, our fundraising efforts have not netted enough. We need a total of $2500 in order to go.

These funds will cover the following:

Support for our two sessions at the conference including  one on Fatherhood and Emotional I Intelligence and one for creating Parent Development Ministries in Churches, sessions materials, handouts, shipping, and travel expenses.

All donations are tax deductible you will receive a receipt now and a tax form next January. You can make your donations at the following Go Fund Me Link. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this support request!

Support -Link Here!

Teens and the Dangers of Cell Phone Bullying

There is a program in LA and many other communities where the police talk with parents and students regarding cell phones and bullying. This story, shares one such meeting. Parents need to know what is happening with their children, especially on their cell phones. One thing the officer pointed out. This form of bullying never stops there is no relief.

Parents should be actively monitoring their children's social media and cell phone usage. Make it a condition of getting a device. There are lots of apps for this process. PC Magazine has an article on good apps. There is a statistic which says 81% of teens are online daily. However, only 34% of parents are online.

Teens are in a similar in stage to two year olds. They are egocentric and think they can do things themselves. They are. Pulling away from parents in order to become their own adult person. Like a two year old teens need firm boundaries and close supervision. Though teens are older they are in no way prepared to be completely let loose. Social media is great for social interactions with friends. It is also one of the most dangerous tools in the hands of an angry or destructive teen. If you choose to let your children participate in social media supervise them on a regular basis. You are the adult, be the parent. Love your kids enough to let them say " I hate you". Let's be honest you don't always like them either!

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