Eye love math

According to Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner, children with logical-mathematical intelligence have well-developed visual skills. They complete arithmetic problems quickly in their head, easily develop computer skills and win at games that require a visual strategy like checkers and chess.

Gardner and other researchers strongly suggest that well-developed visual skills are a prerequisite for success in math. Even though your child may not be a "natural" when it comes to using inner vision, you can help her develop the ability using these suggestions.

Preschool through kindergarten

• Take your child for a walk around the block. When you return, ask her to eyes close her eyes and recall details from your walk: What was the color of the bird we saw in our neighbor's birdbath? Was the mail carrier wearing a hat?
• Make a game of scribbling on blank paper, and then examining the results for hidden pictures. Take turns pointing out what you see in each other's creations.
• Have a tea party with entirely imaginary food. In this way, you encourage your child to rely on her visual imagination. With plastic foods, a child is still relying on outer vision rather than developing an inner one.
• Make it a family practice to share last night's dreams over breakfast.