Multiple Intelligences Approach

It is generally believed that a child who is very good in Maths and Language is very “intelligent”. Our traditional educational system does not honour other kinds of intelligences, although we know from our experiences that high marks in exams does not always guarantee success or fulfilment.

There are various kinds of intelligences such as:

1. Interpersonal Intelligence
2. Spatial Intelligence
3. Maths / Logic Intelligence
4. Bodily Kinaesthetic
5. Intrapersonal Intelligence
6. Musical Intelligence
7. Linguistic
8. Holistic / Ecological Intelligence

The Multiple Intelligences approach helps children with different kinds of intelligences learn to foster them and hold them in pride rather than grow up with a sense of low self-worth if they are not good at maths or if they can't score a 90% average in exams.
Sankalan not only follows the MI approach but also encourages parents to read books such as “Frames of Mind” and “Multiple Intelligences” by Howard Gardener etc. and join hands with Sankalan to foster a new climate of learning for the child to complement the processes at Sankalan.

Learning that suits various Learning Styles

Learning Styles broadly fall into three categories –

1. Visual Learning style – learning by seeing –
2. Auditory Learning Style – learning by hearing & listening
3. Physical Learning style – learning by doing

Understanding the child’s predominant learning style and providing learning through all styles will help all children learn to their maximum potential. Children who are predominantly auditory and/ or physical learners find conventional schooling difficult and need an approach which caters to their style of learning. Unfortunately auditory and physical learning is not easy to test in exams – hence we need a long term career orientation for these children rather than only an exam oriented system.

Learning Difficulties

It is said that (Academic)Learning Difficulty is nothing more than a sign of an era where academic learning is considered essential and other kinds of learning are not valued.
LD is not 'a disability' – children with so called learning difficulties may have a high IQ. Einstien and Tagore had dyslexia!
Some children have difficulties in specific areas such as reading or writing and mathematics (dyslexia / dyscalculia). These difficulties exist because of the way the brain processes information. They get compounded by the psychological problems that children face in learning because of lack of recognition of their style of learning.
Emotional factors also contribute to slow learning rate in some children

If the school and parents work with children with LD sensitively and imaginatively, they can certainly become successful and effective human beings in their own way.