Anyone who has attended one of my seminars knows that I put a heavy emphasis on building self-esteem through brain aerobics, rather than tearing it down. Too many of us grew up thinking we were terrible at _______ (math, English, science – fill in the subject of your choice) and as a consequence, doubted our intelligence forever after. Howard Gardner is an educator who long ago wrote that standardized tests missed many of our individualized strengths. He came up with a theory of multiple intelligences, suggesting that we ought to recognize that people who can’t diagram a sentence may be outstanding in other areas, such as music, language, interpersonal skills, or communing with nature. Here are two of Howard Gardner’s books that will help you to recognize other strengths in yourself and your fellow human beings:
- Five Minds of the Future, © 2007. To order, click here.
- Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons, © 2006 (This is an update of his original 1993 book on his theory of multiple intelligences.) To order, click here.
One of the authors who was an early inspiration to me is Marge Engelman, who was herself inspired by older women who had thought they were less able to learn than their younger counterparts. After working with older women for many years – when she herself could be considered to be getting on in years herself – she wrote Aerobics of the Mind, which is a delightful book of brain exercises gleaned from many resources. There are word games, optical illusions and games for sharpening the senses, to name just a few. Later, she condensed the exercises to 100 4X6” laminated cards – draw a card and try the exercise. Then in 2006, she produced WholeBrain Workouts – even more brain exercises. There is something here for everyone.
- Aerobics of the Mind – To order click here.
- Aerobics of the Mind Cards: 100 Exercises for a Healthy Brain – To order click here.
- WholeBrain Workouts – To order click here.
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