The Artist Brain

It's true, artists have different "ways of seeing" or, in the case of musicians, different "ways of hearing". Howard Gardner, the Harvard mastermind behind the theory of Multiple Intelligences, tells us that children are born with a variety of intelligences that frames how they learn and how they interact with the world.

Our role, as parents and as teachers, is to discover each child's strengths and help each child reach their individual potential. IQ measures only one form of greatness. Gardner teaches us that there are at least nine. You can Google™ "multiple intelligences" for additional reading on all nine intelligences.

An artist brain
You may be blessed with a child who has an "artist brain" - a child who can see pictures in his brain before he sees them represented on paper, a child who inexplicably finds the most beautiful combination of colors in his drawings, a child who draws with an un-taught sense of proportion. Similarly, the child with a musical brain somehow has finely tuned musical intuition - they can name an artist or a composer after being told once, they can recreate rhythms instantaneously, they recognize a song after just a few beats.

We're all gifted
Howard Gardner rejects the notion that some children are gifted and others are average. The theory of Multiple Intelligences has twenty years of brain research to support the idea that children are all "gifted", just in different forms of intelligence. Once we know where those strengths lie, we can lead, guide, encourage, and build. The theory of Multiple Intelligences also teaches us to use our strengths to compensate for our weaknesses.

Spatial Intelligence
Children with strong spatial intelligence are natural born architects, sculptors, painters, and even engineers. Because children with high spatial intelligence will "see" things prior to hands-on interaction with the materials in their environment - toys, blocks, paints, play dough, paper - their playful creations are often more aesthetic and more precocious than others without this gift.

Children with dominant spatial intelligence can sit for long periods of time drawing or doodling. They will study every detail of the illustrations in a children's book, enjoying children's books that elicit strong visual interaction (like Where's Waldo). Encourage this budding artist to unleash her vision in any possible medium.

For the spatial intelligence deficient - those of us who can't find our way around a map, find the focal point in a room design, or draw anything more elaborate than a happy face - we can teach children to use words to help visualize a final product or to work as a team to collaborate on a beautiful mural. Remember the classic example of painting by number, a clear case of using logical-mathematical strengths to engage in a satisfying spatial task.

Musical Intelligence
Children with strong musical intelligence can carry a tune and make beautiful sounds even when they are banging on the kitchen pots and pans. These are the children who whistle while they work. Because these children "hear" differently than the rest of us, picking up an instrument is as natural to them as Tiger Woods picking up a golf club.

These are the children who also learn complicated cognitive skills through songs because their brain is wired to process musical information easily. Trust these children to lead their parents to more formal musical training early - they will be naturals.

For the musical intelligence deficient, it's still important to participate in informal music experiences, especially as young children. All brains grow better with music as part of the daily routine. Combining movement and music is a sure way to awaken the math centers of the brain, to cultivate impulse control and avoid listening problems associated with learning disabilities.

Well rounded vs. single pointed
You will choose how to best raise your child - whether to be a well-rounded Renaissance person or a highly trained specialist in one field from medicine to sports. Whatever you choose, your success depends on an understanding of your child's individual strengths. Cultivate your child's unique gifts and use this information to help your child respect and understand differences. The smartest people in the world know who and where to find the skills and knowledge they lack.

© Family Time Inc. 2006

Karen Deerwester is the owner of Family Time Coaching & Consulting, writing and lecturing on parenting and early childhood topics since 1984. Karen is also the Mommy & Me director at The Ruth and Edward Taubman Early Childhood Center at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton.