I was reminded recently from a character education professor and former elementary school principal of the importance of starting our school year by acknowledging our strengths. The professor suggested that regardless of your role—educator, parent, family member, neighbor, or friend , its so valuable to make a point of asking children “How do you have fun?” Helping the children to articulate their talents goes a long way to validating children’s strengths.

Sadly, that’s not the usual approach to asking each other about our progress. Only asking “How’s it going in school?” actually is a difficult question for the child to answer unless they are successful learners by the traditional route of linguistic and/or mathematical intelligences.

I’ve found the guidelines that Howard Gardnerr developed years ago defining strengths as we approach learning tasks using a variety of intelligences to be helpful..

Those of us participating in Rhythm, Rhyme and Storytime are well aware that we are tapping into musical intelligence. Recognizing that we each apply multiple intelligences helps in identifying and appreciating our strengths.

This semester, let’s foucs on each child’s individual strengths and of course, let’s us all find ways to HAVE FUN AS WE GATHER TOGETHER for our Rhythm, Rhyme, and Storytime!