Counselling children using a multiple intelligences framework

Abstract

This paper presents a three-stage model which has been shown to be useful in the counselling of children. The qualitative results of a study into a counselling practice informed by Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences will also be reported. The study which sought to explore the essence of the counselling act, drew forth techniques and environmental factors that were useful in the counselling of children, particularly small children who had not developed the language required for more formal counselling sessions. The use of Gardner's (1983) theory of multiple intelligences as a framework, enabled the counsellors to make available a variety of activities that asked each client to use a variety of talents. The client's use of multiple intelligences was scaffolded through counsellor encouragement and support.

Applicability of the Multiple Intelligence Theory to the Process of Organizing and Planning of Learning and Teaching

“…Findings that demonstrate that preparing material for the application of MIT is difficult support this comment. The results of the research reveal that teachers who employ MIT in their classes have to learn new skills like using musical intelligence (O'Brien & Burnett, 2000).…”

“Even adults need to play”: Sandplay therapy with an adult survivor of childhood abuse.

“…Sand tray, by comparison, is open to many different theoretical interpretations, and is often used in the assessment or interpretation of the client’s issues, and may be combined with other play-therapy techniques. Sandplay therapy is used with both adults and children across a range of settings, such as schools (O’Brien & Burnett, 2000), medical settings (Lagutina, Sperlinger, & Esterhuyzen, 2011), and family therapy (Carey, 1991). It has also been used to treat PTSD symptoms in adult populations (Moon, 2006) and as an adjunct to behavior therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; Lu, Petersen, Lacroix, & Rousseau, 2010).…”

The Value of Using Sandplay as a Tool for Counselling Within a School Setting

“…Considering a child from a multiple intelligence perspective is more child-centred and enables a consideration of the diverse gifts in different children and allows for multicultural variance (Torff, 1998). O'Brien and Burnett (2000a) found that sandplay enabled the use of all seven intelligences at various times in the therapy session. In a counselling session the use of sandplay, which is nondirective, provides the client with freedom to make choices in their expression and therefore use a variety of intelligences (Pearson & Wilson, 2001).…”