Creative Learning Environments and Learning Styles

Earlier this year I completed an online class called Creative Learning Enviroments. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun with this class.

One thing, in particular, that was reinforced for me is the fact that children learn in many different ways. Learning is not just about sitting at a table coloring pictures and completing worksheets, as popular as this may be. And although reading and listening to stories is incredibly important there are many other ways to learn as well.

There are a number of theories and models that have been developed to describe how children (and adults) learn. The one that makes the most sense to me and that I use as a guideline in planning play activities and learning opportunities is Gardner's Categories of Intelligence.

Gardner describes eight categories of intelligence. They are as follows.

1. Bodily-Kinesthetic - Movement and doing

2. Interpersonal - Interaction with others.

3. Verbal - Linguistic - Words (spoken or written)

4. Logical-Mathematical - Logic, abstractions, inductive/deductive reasoning and numbers



5. Naturalistic - Nature, nurturing,and relating information to one's natural surroundings.

6. Intrapersonal - Introspective and self-reflective capacities

7. Visual - Spatial - Vision and spacial judgement



8. Musical - Rhythm, music and hearing

This list of ways of learning have been very helpful to me in preparing our daily activities. I try each day to provide opportunities for each of our individual learners.

In the upcoming weeks I will be describing in more detail many of our activities and the value they have for our children.