Just as a seed needs to first grow roots, then develop a shoot, then a bud before becoming a flower, introductions to new pursuits for children need to be approached in a similar way. Kidzmet members use our teacher student
Effective Breakout Groups for Long-Term Projects

Break Apart by Multiple Intelligence FIRST Place at least one child with a parallel preference in each of your breakout groups. E.g., for a history lesson, place a child with and intra- or interpersonal preference in each breakout group; for
Why Praise Is Important

This article was written by Jen Lilienstein and originally published by KidzEdge There’s a nasty rumor making the rounds in many parenting and teaching circles that is only a half-truth. And, just like most half-truths, it has the potential to
Head Start for Back to School
Simple changes that will make life easier for everyone Going back to school is tough for most kids—it’s a sudden blast of social anxiety, new responsibilities, and unfamiliar territory that hit all at once, and can leave both parents and
The 8 Elementary Personality Types – An Introduction

article originally written for Lesson Planet by Jen Lilienstein Focusing on personality type in lesson planning increases classroom engagement and learning. When planning lessons for your class, what types of insights do you use to differentiate and personalize instruction for
Effective Breakout Groups for Intro Lessons

“In dealing with people, when we keep their type in mind, we are respecting not only their abstract right to develop along lines of their own choosing, but also the importance of qualities they have developed by making that choice.“
Introverted Intuitive Personality Type (AKA INFJ or INTJ Children)

Also referred to as INFJ, INTJ, INxJ, INJ, or Introverted Intuiting personality. Integrity and independence are strong forces within Introverted Intuitives (INJ). These kids are very concerned with identifying approaches to problems that help others to grow and develop. Service-oriented,
References We Used As We Developed Kidzmet

Genesis of Kidzmet While we started building the current version of Kidzmet in late 2010, the inspiration for the idea actually came from Jen Lilienstein’s undergraduate senior thesis in 1994. Under the direction of Dr. Francesca Cancian at UCI, Jen
Recommended Extracurriculars & Camps for People Smart Kids

Also known as "interpersonally intelligent", learners who enjoy using an interpersonal multiple intelligence lens tend to be extroverts, characterized by their sensitivity to others' moods, feelings, temperaments and motivations, and their ability to cooperate in order to work as part
Women’s Many Paths to the History Books

Article originally written by Jen Lilienstein and published on LessonPlanet. As we celebrate Women’s History Month in our classrooms, it’s important to show young women not only that various female historical figures paved different ways to the history books, but