8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers

1. Understand and leverage your child's unique intelligence profile

You teach children; you don't teach math, reading, or Bible.

Multiple intelligences theory. Dr. Howard Gardner's research reveals that humans possess at least eight distinct types of intelligence: word, logic, picture, music, body, nature, people, and self smart. Each child has a unique profile of strengths across these areas. As a homeschooling parent, understanding your child's specific intelligence strengths allows you to customize their education for maximum engagement and retention.

Practical application. Observe your child's natural interests and abilities to identify their dominant intelligences. For example, a child who loves being outdoors and categorizing plants may be nature smart, while one who excels at puzzles and asks many questions may be logic smart. Use this knowledge to:

• Choose curricula and learning activities that align with their strengths
• Present information in ways that resonate with their preferred learning style
• Encourage pursuits that develop their natural talents
• Support areas of weakness by leveraging their strengths

2. Tailor math education to each child's learning style

Logic-smart kids often take to math naturally.

Diverse approaches to math. While logic-smart children may naturally excel in traditional math instruction, other intelligence types require different strategies to fully engage with mathematical concepts. By adapting your teaching methods, you can help all children develop a solid mathematical foundation.

Strategies for different smarts:

• Body smart: Use manipulatives, skipping while counting, or math-based physical games
• Music smart: Create songs or rhythms to remember math facts and formulas
• Picture smart: Utilize graphs, diagrams, and visual representations of problems
• Nature smart: Incorporate outdoor activities and natural objects into math lessons
• People smart: Encourage group problem-solving and math-based social games
• Word smart: Focus on word problems and storytelling to illustrate concepts
• Self smart: Allow for independent study and reflection on mathematical ideas

Remember that struggling with certain math concepts doesn't indicate a lack of intelligence, but rather a need for alternative teaching methods that align with the child's strengths.

3. Customize language arts instruction for optimal engagement

Being able to comprehend others' communication and communicate clearly ourselves underpins virtually every other content area and ultimately contributes to a healthy, productive adult life.

Holistic approach to literacy. Language arts encompasses reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. By tailoring instruction to each child's intelligence profile, you can foster a love of language and effective communication across all areas.

Strategies for different smarts:

• Word smart: Provide ample opportunities for reading, writing, and wordplay
• Logic smart: Focus on grammar rules, word origins, and language patterns
• Picture smart: Use graphic organizers, illustrated books, and visual storytelling
• Music smart: Incorporate rhymes, songs, and audio books into lessons
• Body smart: Allow movement during reading time and use kinesthetic activities for spelling and grammar
• Nature smart: Choose nature-themed literature and encourage outdoor writing activities
• People smart: Organize group discussions, book clubs, and collaborative writing projects
• Self smart: Provide quiet reflection time and encourage journaling

Emphasize that different types of writing (creative vs. expository) and reading materials may resonate differently with each child based on their intelligence profile.

4. Adapt science learning to individual strengths and interests

Science is built on the foundation of inquiry and experimentation—that is, curiosity that causes a person to ask questions about the world around her and investigation to try to answer those questions.

Fostering scientific curiosity. Science education should nurture a child's natural inquisitiveness about the world. By aligning scientific exploration with a child's intelligence strengths, you can create engaging and memorable learning experiences.

Tailored science activities:

• Nature smart: Conduct outdoor observations, nature journaling, and ecology studies
• Logic smart: Focus on the scientific method, hypothesis testing, and data analysis
• Picture smart: Use visual aids, create detailed diagrams, and watch science documentaries
• Body smart: Perform hands-on experiments and build models
• Music smart: Explore the science of sound and create musical instruments
• Word smart: Read science biographies and write detailed lab reports
• People smart: Engage in group experiments and science fair projects
• Self smart: Encourage independent research projects and reflective science journaling

Remember that not every child needs to become a professional scientist, but all can benefit from developing scientific literacy and critical thinking skills.

5. Make social studies come alive through personalized approaches

The social studies zoom in on people in one way or another—their history, their physical and cultural environments, their forms of government, and their means of sustaining themselves on the planet.

Connecting past and present. Social studies encompass history, geography, civics, and economics. By tapping into each child's intelligence strengths, you can make these subjects relevant and engaging, fostering a deeper understanding of human society.

Customized social studies experiences:

• People smart: Focus on biographies, oral histories, and cultural exchanges
• Word smart: Explore historical fiction and primary source documents
• Picture smart: Use maps, timelines, and historical reenactments
• Logic smart: Analyze cause-and-effect relationships in historical events
• Body smart: Visit historical sites, museums, and participate in living history programs
• Music smart: Study historical music and its cultural context
• Nature smart: Explore the relationship between geography and human development
• Self smart: Encourage personal reflection on how historical events relate to present-day life

Emphasize the interconnectedness of social studies topics and their relevance to understanding current events and societal issues.

6. Nurture creativity and passion through fine arts education

We have the freedom at home to fully honor how each of our kids has been designed—and then use our knowledge and love for our kids to activate, shape, and grow each one's complete strengths profile.

Embracing artistic expression. Fine arts education allows children to explore their creativity and develop new skills. By aligning artistic pursuits with a child's intelligence strengths, you can foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts and potentially uncover hidden talents.

Tailored arts experiences:

• Picture smart: Drawing, painting, photography, and visual design
• Music smart: Instrumental lessons, singing, and music composition
• Body smart: Dance, theater, and sculpture
• Word smart: Creative writing, poetry, and playwriting
• Nature smart: Environmental art and nature-inspired creations
• Logic smart: Digital art, animation, and architectural design
• People smart: Collaborative art projects and performance art
• Self smart: Personal art journals and self-expressive artwork

Remember that while not every child will become a professional artist, engaging in the arts can enhance creativity, self-expression, and problem-solving skills valuable in many areas of life.

7. Explore electives that align with your child's talents and goals

The beautiful thing about electives at any age is that they are—elective!

Personalized learning paths. Electives offer the opportunity to delve deeper into areas of interest and develop specialized skills. By choosing electives that align with a child's intelligence strengths and future goals, you can create a truly customized education.

Elective ideas for different smarts:

• Word smart: Journalism, creative writing, foreign languages
• Logic smart: Computer programming, robotics, debate
• Picture smart: Graphic design, filmmaking, architecture
• Music smart: Music theory, composition, audio engineering
• Body smart: Sports, dance, martial arts
• Nature smart: Horticulture, animal care, environmental science
• People smart: Psychology, public speaking, leadership
• Self smart: Personal finance, entrepreneurship, philosophy

Encourage exploration of various electives to help children discover new interests and potential career paths. Remember that skills developed through electives can often be applied across multiple disciplines.

8. Integrate faith and worldview education naturally

Accommodating how the Lord has designed your kids as you help them learn about Him is actually an act of worship on your part.

Living out beliefs. For families who prioritize faith, integrating religious education into daily life can be more effective than treating it as a separate subject. By aligning spiritual instruction with a child's intelligence strengths, you can make faith concepts more relatable and meaningful.

Faith-based learning strategies:

• Word smart: Bible study, memorization, and theological discussions
• Logic smart: Apologetics and comparative religion studies
• Picture smart: Bible journaling and visual representations of faith concepts
• Music smart: Worship music and hymn study
• Body smart: Service projects and hands-on faith activities
• Nature smart: Nature walks focused on creation and stewardship
• People smart: Group devotionals and faith-based community service
• Self smart: Personal prayer journals and meditative practices

Emphasize that faith education is about developing a personal relationship with God and living out one's beliefs, rather than simply acquiring knowledge.

9. Prioritize relationships and love over rigid academic standards

Love is there even when you can't see it. Love is what will carry you to your desired destination.

Foundation of love. The most crucial element in successful homeschooling is maintaining strong, loving relationships with your children. While academic achievement is important, it should not come at the expense of emotional connection and personal growth.

Building strong family bonds:

• Prioritize quality time together outside of formal learning
• Listen to your children's interests and concerns
• Be flexible with schedules and curricula to accommodate individual needs
• Celebrate progress and effort, not just academic results
• Model lifelong learning and curiosity
• Address conflicts with patience and understanding

Remember that the ultimate goal of education is to raise well-rounded, confident individuals who are prepared for life, not just academic success. By fostering a loving, supportive environment, you create the optimal conditions for learning and personal development.

Last updated: August 2, 2024