Finally, it s important to consider multiple intelligences and childhood development. Dr. Maker, in her book Nurturing Giftedness in Young Children , points out that children do not necessarily develop uniformly or at the same speed, in all cases. Both of these situations can lead to behaviors that are confusing and frustrating. The result can be poor performance in school, withdrawal, poor self-esteem, disruptive behavior, or a number of other counterproductive tendencies. This approach can be incredibly helpful for students, giving them tangible ways to make improvements in specific areas when the alternative usually is a nebulous feeling of failure.
Parents can make a difference at home, too.
With knowledge of you son or daughter s preferred learning styles, levels of intelligences, and developmental stages, you will have a better idea of how to encourage continued growth and improvement. Rumor has it that Bill Gates once was conducting guests around Microsoft headquarters when the group passed an open office door. Inside, a Microsoft employee was leaning back in a chair, with his feet up on the desk, hands behind his head, staring blankly at the ceiling. After walking on, one of the guests asked why the employee was allowed to do that. Gates responded, He s working .