Multiple Intelligence Model and Baby Sign (ASL)

Educators know of the Multiple Intelligneces model. In it a professor of Education at Harvard University, Howard Garder found that the traditional notion of intelligence based soley on IQ testing is far too limited. He found that we all have to some degree the following intelligences, which can be measured. They are:

*Linguistic intelligence ("word smart"):
*Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
* Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
*Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
*Musical intelligence ("music smart")
* Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
* Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
* Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

Baby signs have been noted as the perfect way to supplement any preschool curruciulum because it can be used with all of the multiple intelligences. In linguistic intelligence you always speak while making specific signs so students are being exposed to two different learning modes for one word.

With logic-mathematical, children can see a pattern of language and how it forms. Musical; you can add signs to common music or rhymes that the children already know. Bodily - kinesthetic; our hands are moving to make the signs so children can feel the words or letters.

In spatial learning, the child can see the sign being made. Interpersonal; the childcan sign with a group, parent or teacher. Finally, with intrapersoanl learning the child can also sign when on his/her own when reading sotries.

Researcher Penelope Leach ( Leach, 1990) said, "The more language they ( young children) have, the faster thinking will progress. The more thinking they are doing, the more language they will use. So language and thought even language and intelligence are intimately entangled."