The kinesthetic intelligence it is the ability to use the body to express feelings and ideas, as well as the ability to produce or transform things with the hands. It is the type of intelligence that athletes and dancers have, as well as artists, mechanics and surgeons..
This concept starts from the theory of multiple intelligences. It was proposed in 1983 by Harvard University psychologist and professor Howard Gardner. This author argues that man's cognitive competence is best described by the term "intelligences." With this concept it encompasses the set of skills, talents or mental capacities.
Kinesthetic or kinesthetic bodily intelligence belongs to one of the 8 types of intelligence proposed by Gardner. It involves skills in the control of the body, as well as in the handling and manipulation of objects. This also includes the ability to achieve goals related to physical actions, in addition to training and refining responses to physical stimuli..
Sometimes our body movements or postures tend to be automatic, escaping our awareness. By improving kinesthetic bodily intelligence, the mind is more aware of body movements. Therefore, they are controlled more safely and precisely.
In this way, we work so that the mind regulates our body and at the same time, the body is trained to respond to what the mind demands..
Article index
In 1983, Gardner published his book "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences". This is the result of several investigations in the Boston University Aphasia Research Center with people who had suffered strokes and aphasia.
Children from the Harvard's Project Zero, a laboratory specialized in analyzing the cognitive development of children and the associated educational implications. The central question of his research was: is intelligence a single thing or several independent intellectual activities?
Gardner defined intelligence as "The ability to solve problems or to produce products that are of importance in a cultural context or in a given community".
From this perspective, the human mind is best understood as a series of relatively independent faculties that possess loose and unpredictable relationships with one another. Thus, the concept of mind is criticized as a machine with a single purpose, which operates constantly and at a single power, independent of content and context..
Intelligence is not, then, a unique capacity of the mind. Rather, it is a spectrum of different modalities, each with its area of expertise. Therefore, intelligence is much more than a high IQ. This, in the absence of productivity, cannot be considered intelligence.
Gardner claimed that intelligence could not be a single psychometrically described entity with an IQ score. Intelligence should be defined more broadly.
To do this, he established several criteria to define intelligence. These criteria were drawn from the biological sciences, logical analysis, developmental psychology, experimental psychology, and psychometrics..
This author affirms that all human beings know the world through 8 types of intelligence: linguistics, logical-mathematical analysis, spatial representation, musical thought, use of the body or body-kinetics, understanding of others or interpersonal, understanding of ourselves same or intrapersonal, and naturalistic.
Thus, the subjects differ in the intensity of such intelligences. In addition to the way they go to them to act, solve problems and progress.
We can distinguish kinesthetic intelligence by the following characteristics:
- Skills in controlling the movement of the body (strength, flexibility, speed, coordination). For example, having strength and coordination to build small furniture.
- Comfort and connection with your own body.
- Security and intuition in your movements. For example, be confident when handling a tool, such as a hammer or wrench.
- Skills in manipulating objects. For example, using your hands to create things or to make repairs.
- Ability to achieve goals regarding physical actions.
- Ability to perfect responses to physical stimuli. It is about changing the responses depending on the physical stimuli that are captured.
There are certain people who have a greater predisposition to kinesthetic intelligence. They are characterized by high dexterity and coordination, as well as greater strength, flexibility and speed..
People with this type of intelligence learn best by "doing" rather than by listening, watching, or reading. They prefer to find out for themselves how things work, manipulating them with their hands.
That is, they better grasp concepts when they are able to physically manipulate objects. For example, those mathematical concepts that are based on three-dimensionally represented objects.
These individuals like to be active, and be outdoors. They enjoy doing sports activities and artistic expressions such as theater or dance. They stand out for their abilities to manipulate objects, construction and manual work.
They tend to choose professional profiles such as artists, dancers, athletes, physiotherapists, mechanics, craftsmen, surgeons, actors, etc..
It is possible to develop kinesthetic intelligence through very diverse ways and far removed from the traditional school environment.
People who have higher levels of this type of intelligence prefer to learn by acting, taking a more physical and bodily contact with the areas of knowledge..
- Sciences: Through conducting experiments, fixing broken toys or appliances, and having contact with animals, substances and different objects.
- Math: kinesthetic intelligence is developed in this area by creating geometric objects such as pyramids, cubes, etc. Like working with everyday problems involving math through games and using manipulatives.
- History and geography: developing maps, models and reliefs on historical events or places.
- Language and communication: performance of plays, debates, concerts, stories and stories.
- Languages: through songs, performances and performances in different languages.
It is very important that visits are made to concerts, zoos, museums, historical places ... So that the student can see, touch and feel things directly, involving their body.
To develop this intelligence, it is recommended that schools organize more excursions and getaways in the open air related to the subject of study. Like games, theatrical performances, dances ... Even learning to play musical instruments.
This active learning method developed through experience is being used as an educational method in alternative schools. To do this, work with small groups of children and involve the child directly in the matter.
The student is not a passive subject who only hears or reads information, but experiences it through his body and feels it. It seems that this learning method is more beneficial than the traditional ones, since it adapts to the individual characteristics of each child.
As a consequence, frustrations are prevented and the motivation of each student is increased since their development rhythm is respected..
In this way, gross motor activities (wider movements with the whole body) and fine motor activities (precise movements such as those made to draw or write) are integrated into the day-to-day.
Since the little one must move between different groups of children, collect his own materials, talk about his work with another person, go outside to find something he needs for his project, etc. Thus, students improve the management of their movements while learning.
Yet No Comments