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November 2005
Cornerstones
Mrs. Donna - North Canton
 My husband works for an insurance company and is occasionally called upon to resolve disputes. He does not have a degree in mediation and peace making, (is there one?) Yet, those who know him acknowledge his gift for understanding others’ feelings and making them feel appreciated. How did he learn these skills?
Howard Gardner says that the “Personal Intelligences” amount to “information processing capabilities,” directed either outward or inward.1 Interpersonal intelligence is defined as “the ability to notice and make distinctions among other individuals.”2 Intrapersonal intelligence refers to knowing one’s self, having access to one’s own feelings. Those comfortable with a wide range of personalities have a high level of interpersonal intelligence. They are: counselors, teachers, ministers, and, of course, mediators. Poets, philosophers, and novelists often exhibit a high level of intrapersonal intelligence.
Child development words closely associated with the personal intelligences are “socialization” and “self-esteem”.
The development of close bonding between parents and child, and the development of positive self-esteem in children are the cornerstones of a positive orientation to a child’s personality. These cornerstones begin being laid before a child is born, and they are built upon throughout life.3
Before Baby is even born, parents communicate love and desire. Complex biochemical “transmissions” communicate bonding messages between a mother and her infant in utero.4 This bonding impacts the baby’s lifelong ability to relate to himself and to others.*
Babies are dependent upon their parents for their physical AND emotional needs. Gardner writes, “During the first year of life, the child comes to form a potent tie to the mother...and it is in these strong ties...that the origins of personal knowledge can be found.”5 Conversely, John Bowlby’s studies of institutionalized infants show that “the lack of an attachment bond can wreak devastating effects on normal development in the present and succeeding generations.”6 Loving our babies empowers them to love.
My husband was raised by loving parents. He was encouraged with words of affirmation in a home filled with music and dancing. They sang hymns together. They played Jimmy Rogers records; Darrin and his three siblings danced together in the living room as they waited for a turn to stand on Daddy’s feet and sway with Mommy. Mom led the “Acorn Choir” at church and Dad coached little league teams. They played together in the back yard.
An idyllic childhood? It may be true of those early years. From those closest to him, young Darrin learned that he has what it takes to offer something significant. Because his parents helped him to make sense of his world and to work through disputes with friends and siblings, he is able to relate well to others today. Though his father passed away when Darrin was only eleven, I see the legacy of this man each day in his son, my husband, who loves our children without reserve. Darrin never doubted his parents’ love for OR belief in him. Because of that, neither will our children!
One of the greatest benefits of being a WeJoySing teacher is in seeing others’ lives transformed by JOYFUL BONDING. Like my husband's life, your child's life has been forever impacted as a result of your time, energy, affirmations, and positive strokes. It happens through music!
The blessing is not only upon us, but upon our children, and our children’s children. To that, I simply must say.......“AMEN!”
A Note from Mrs. Jo
I truly hope you have found the Multiple Intelligences series beneficial. Isn’t it amazing that the music we share at WeJoySing benefits the development of the human intelligences? But greater still is the unexplainable bond created when music is shared together.
*Look for: “Language of Love: Play and Bond with Your Baby Before Birth using Music and Movement" in December. WeJoySing’s Language of Love prenatal bonding program starting in the Columbus area in January.
1) Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, tenth anniversary edition, New York: Basic Books, 1993, p.243.
2)-----------, p. 239.
3) Thurman, Dr. Leon, HeartSongs: A Guide to Active Pre-Birth & Infant Parenting through Language & Singing, p. 22.
4) ------------, p. 23.
5) Gardner, p. 243.
6) _______, p. 244.
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