Sensing and Intuition: the Data Gathering Process |
Do you remember the student who always had the answer before you had grasped the question and then had difficulty explaining how they got it as you struggled with the step by step process that you knew would lead you to the answer ? Infuriating wasn't it ?( - unless you had been the one with the flash answer!) The process of gathering information is so integral to our survival that our society has spent much time, effort and money on an education system designed to make sure we develop all the skills we need to deal with it all. So, how is it that some children can gaze out of the window and still get the answer and others struggle with the step-by-step approach ? The answer is the difference between being an intuitive and a sensate.
Imagine the typical homework-around-the-kitchen-table scene. Child number one keeps asking "Do I do this now with this number ?" (This is the fifth time you have gone through long division !) "Yes. Now what do you do ?"......" Take it away..and.. I got it!"( Sigh of relief.) This child is not slow , you keep telling yourself - and you are absolutely right! . Now imagine the same scene with an intuitive learner ! "How did you get that ? " "I just knew it !" "Show me."Aw, mom ! I just know its the answer !!" The ensuing struggle can be equally frustrating especially when process is important.
The sensate child needs the security of doing the same task, using the same formula, following the same process until they are comfortable with the task . They literally follow the clues to the idea, figure out the theory and then reach the conclusion.
The intuitive child works in reverse order ! The intuitive leaps to the conclusion ( not necessarily always accurately !) then will back up to the theory, see the idea and then recognise the clues. Now, if the intuitive is asked to complete the process after reaching the initial conclusion, the time taken is usually about the same as it takes for the sensate to complete the reverse process ! Back to the homework .
The assignment asks the student to begin planning their project for the Interest Fair and immediately there is a visible difference in the two "types" at the table . The sensate child will want to know (and need) such information as how long could the project be?, should it be note-style or essay style?, should you have pictures/diagrams/ graphs?..etc.
The intuitive will tend to create a theme and add details later as the ideas develop. At this point both students will need the criteria for their project, but where the one will need it to even start work, the other will need it to bring it together as he/she moves to completion.
Just remember, the one gathering the "bits" will build gradually; the one who is seemingly "gathering the wool" will weave it together in the end !
Next week "Thinking and Feeling " or "Check marks and Hugs"
© Bernadette Homerski, all rights reserved
