Coping with the Times through the Development of Multiple Intelligences to Achieve Lifelong Success

What parents can not see gleaming rays of genius in their child? And yet, how many children come to school and demonstrate their own unique genius? "Every parent thinks their kid is a genius."

Research on human intelligence is suggesting that there is a constant flow of new information on how the human brain operates, how it differs in function between genders, how emotions impact on intellectual acuity, even on how genetics and environment each impact the children’s cognitive abilities. While each area of study has its merits, Howard Gardner of Harvard University has identified the different KINDS of intelligences we possess. This has particularly strong ramifications in the classroom, because if we can identify children's different strengths among these intelligences, we can accommodate different children more successfully according to their orientation to learning.

This year’s theme shows how educators give importance to the holistic development of every individual to fit himself on his environment. Through the cultural, athletic, and literary competitions, the nine intelligences of each individual is being honed, for him to be able to maximize his full potential. The linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, spatial, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist, and existential intelligences of every person are enriched as they are fully developed to achieve lifelong success.

The road to lifelong success is transformation. It paves with the authenticity of education through the individual’s holistic development, and not imitation. It is not the strongest of the species that survive, or the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to changes. These are some words we heard about life on education that we will never forget — insights that have shaped some of our subsequent behaviors, perspectives and decisions in life. These are pieces of information we have acquired at one time or another that completely changed our minds and help us see things in a better perspective. Truly, the power of education has transformed our lives.

Education must not be forgotten ever since we subsist. It is the making of our future generations, our native land’s modern-day heroes. I would assume that the term “transformation” is clear enough here for the transformation of education in the Philippines today is expected to integrate. But, how can learning about the environment and the present occurrences of our country transform us?

All human beings possess all nine intelligences in varying amounts. We can improve education by addressing the multiple intelligences of the students. Everyone is working hand-in-hand on assimilating this knowledge into the strategies for helping children learn. Think positively. Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless we believe that future can be better, it’s unlikely we will step up and take responsibility for making it so. If we assume that there’s no hope, we guarantee that there will be no hope. If we assume that there is an instinct for freedom, there is a chance we may continue to make a better world.