8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers: A Guide to Teaching Based on Your Child's Unique Strengths

by Tina Hollenbeck, Kathy Koch (Foreword)

Kids don’t just learn one way . . . and that matters a lot for homeschool parents. One of the benefits of a home education is a curriculum designed to fit each student. But that means knowing how your child learns. Not every child receives knowledge the same way. It’s up to the teacher to figure out the best way to reach each one. Based on the 8 Smarts identified by Kathy Koch—word, logic, picture, music, body, nature, people, and self— 8 Great Smarts for Homeschooling Families tailors these ideas to the unique setting of the home classroom. Tina Hollenbeck, a leader in the home education community, applies the 8 Smarts to each division of a complete Yet when it comes down to it, the real benefit of homeschooling is personal relationships . Hollenbeck concludes by showing that when parents know their kids’ multiple intelligences—and when kids understand their family members in turn—it leads to a healthy homeschool dynamic. So don’t try to teach in the dark. Know your kid’s smarts, then watch them start engaging with their world in fresh ways.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Education, Family, Audiobook, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 26 of 2022

I feel a bit misled with this book. It is hard to review because now that I am finished, I am a bit frustrated. As a new member of the homeschool community, I love the idea of looking at your children and understanding their strengths, and playing to that. I love the idea of the "eight smarts" and translating that into practical ideas for daily instruction and making the overall education of our children better for them.

BUT -- no one said that I needed to read "8 Great Smarts" by Kathy Koch first. This book came about because Jamie Erickson (author of Homeschool Bravely) was on Tina Hollenbeck's podcast, and because I love everything that Erickson recommends, it led me to this book. So I ordered it and jumped right in. But I feel like I walked into the second half of a book. I am missing the foundational part where the eight smarts are actually explained in detail. Apparently Kathy Koch already wrote that book and that is the foundation I needed to them make these practical jumps in this book specific to homeschoolers. I just wish that had been made more clear so I could get the most out of these concepts.

Rating -- four stars for content, three stars for lack of foundation / recommendation to reading Kathy Koch's book first
Format -- paperback

EDIT 2/26/2022 I have since gone back and read 8 Great Smarts by @KathyKoch and it changes everything about this book and how I look at the information. I just wish that it was made more clear to read Kathy Koch's book first before jumping into this one, because now I have all the foundational information about the eight smarts to really apply it through this book.

[Shannon Evanko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the homeschool version of the 8 great smarts— which I had never heard of! It walks you through the categories— people smart, picture smart, nature smart, word smart, self smart, music smart, body smart and logic smart. Then it applies those to your homeschool teaching of your kids, showing you how to utilize those natural tendencies your kids have for their best learning.

I found it very quick, practical and helpful! I could definitely already identify which smarts my kiddos lean toward, and it was helpful to learn what kinds of things they’d benefit from in a home learning environment because of these smarts.

[Caroline arrow_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the many benefits to homeschooling is to be able to shape the way you teach specifically to each child. This book shares 8 different smarts, ways children learn best individually. Then shares how you can choose curriculum or teach each child based on their best smarts. After homeschooling my children the past 9 years, I have come to learn one curriculum does not fit all. And no one method of teaching information works best for each of your children. This book would be a great starting point for those starting out on their homeschooling life or an encouraging refresher to rethink your children’s best ways of learning. Without having knowledge of the 8 great smarts first written by Kathy Koch, I don’t feel I walked away with a clear understanding of each of them. The last chapter was my favorite, a fresh breath of encouragement in my homeschooling journey.

Thank you to Moody Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[Amy Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely would say this will be a helpful resource for homeschooling. I particularly liked how it provided a framework that would keep you from simplistically pigeonholing your kids into one subject they are good at. (This is my Math kid, this is my artistic kid, etc) Instead there are lots of ideas for how to introduce your kids to a lot of different things by playing to their strengths and interests. Very much in the spirit of classical Ed. The chapter on religious education was pretty weak and possibly unnecessary, but everything else was at least moderately helpful.

[Anete Ābola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe, if I had read this before we started to homeschool... But now I didn't find this inspiring, nor very much informing.

[Bonnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t care for this book. I felt like it lacked what I wanted from it, which was more of a guide for how to teach through the different smarts. Overall it seemed like it explained things repeatedly and didn’t give me a grasp of how to teach my picture smart kiddo or my body smart kiddo. The end did have a beautiful poem so if you manage to get your hands on the book turn right to the last page of the last chapter and you’ll really know all the knowledge that you need to know about the biggest goal in homeschooling. There was also this quote which I love and will put somewhere in my personal homeschool things

“It is imperative that we educate our kids according to each ones demonstrated readiness rather than following arbitrary cultural norms or what the schools do”

[Sunshyne Baumgardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished this book. It is a valuable resource for all homeschoolers. The last chapter is exactly what I needed to hear. The only thing I would change or rather add, would be to include some sort of chart or questionaire to figure out which of the smarts your kids are dominant in.
Overall a great book.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have been more helpful had I read the 8 Great Smarts first. This was sort of common sense for figuring out learning styles. I was hoping for a quiz to determine which smart matched my kids. Or types of curriculum or books that would help me meet each "smart".

[Renee Knoblauch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughout my years of homeschooling my kids, I have learned that my two kids are as different as day and night when it comes to learning. I have always been under the assumption that kids are auditory visual kinesthetic learners with some variance in those categories that can be broken down even more. You might have a child that overlaps in those areas. Then you take it into the approach of homeschool method from Charlotte Mason eclectic Classical tradition unschooling and a few other methods. I have taught my kids with this in mind throughout the years successfully.

After reading Tina's Hollenbeck's book I was intrigued with her 8 great smarts that use each child's unique strengths. This approach was familiar in many ways and yet different enough to fall in a different method or category from what I had been taught. Maybe this is an approach that has been out there for a while.

She comes at it from Word Smart, Logic Smart, Picture Smart, Music Smart, Body Smart, Nature Smart, People Smart, and Self Smart. Some people can overlap with the 8 Smarts. She explains each area in general and then goes into different subjects from math, language arts, science, social studies, fine arts, electives, and religious and breaks down each of the 8 smarts in each of the subjects. It felt like it was a combination of the learning styles to the teaching methods but not in a full sense. I could easily see the Nature Smart and Unschooling method together and some of the other areas pieces of it. She gives many examples and stories throughout. There is a wealth of advice on homeschooling throughout the pages also.

I agree with several aspects of it but I am not completely on board- yet. I had a hard time finding my children in some of the 8 Smarts. My daughter is special needs and I found that I kept going back to auditory, visual, kinesthetic learners with her. I just could not pick out one of the 8 Smarts with her even when trying to overlap them. While my son I could see him somewhat in Self Smart and Logic Smart. I felt like some areas would have gaps that I would feel like I was missing the mark with him.

Now all that being said does not mean I disagree with the approach. Maybe, I am just stuck in my ways and the thought of changing what works for me the last two and half years of my homeschool journey seems fruitless. Why reinvent the wheel if what is working for you. My daughter just graduated and my son is almost there -I cannot see the point.

If you are just starting to homeschool or finding your children struggling I would consider trying the 8 Smarts because I do see the potential for you to have a successful homeschool experience for your child and yourself. If you are like me and what is working in your homeschool do not reinvent the wheel.

I Disclosure: I received this complimentary product in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Renee M Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an incredibly helpful resource to help your children learn in the ways that best suits their learning style, multiple intelligences, or “smarts.” If you are familiar with multiple intelligences, you will roll quickly through this book; however, if you’re not, the author suggests reading Karen Koch’s book ‘8 Great Smarts.’ I personally think the author gives enough background (though limited) on the smarts to make your way through the book with ease and understanding. Nothing that Hollenbeck writes is overly complicated, nor profound—just a necessary thought for schooling your own children.

Homeschooling can already be so complicated that a home education store might think, “I don’t have time to read this!” But instead, embarking on 6 years now, this could save a parent much pain, anguish, and trail and error from the get-go. I first learned about these smarts in my master’s program; but this was more applicable than anything I learned in the classroom.

The author is also very encouraging to the holistic nature of home school and on repeat reminds the reader that homeschooling is FAR more than “school.” I value this approach because I see so many simply recreating the school environment at home—which in many ways could leave your child wanting if he doesn’t fall in line with logic- or word-smart. This book will help you understand why your son does better reciting his ABCs while hopping or can talk about your read aloud book with ease while laying the the grass looking at clouds. This book reminds you that sitting under the table to do math and tapping out syllables of a word with their pencil is beneficial. Everything your kid does can, his likes and dislikes, his interests and affinities can help you as the home educator and loving parent meet his needs in a unique and personal way.

If you home school, or are considering it, I think you would be helped with some of her veteran wisdom. She also has a website that provide specific curriculum that may best fit your child’s particular smart. I have already journaled, assessed (just googled a smarts profile checklist for each kid) and thought of things I can easily change right now to better help my child love learning for the long haul.

*Biased as I am, I think My Father’s World Curriculum has seamlessly woven in aspects for every learner in a very cohesive way. In our experience, my children have gravitated to particular components of each year which has helped me clue in our some of their likes and dislikes, but MFW also stretches them to strength their weaker smarts in a gentle way.

[Brooke Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Eight Great Smarts was such a validating and inspiring read as a homeschooling mother. Before opening this book, I already found myself naturally teaching through curiosity, individuality, movement, nature, storytelling, and emotional connection rather than rigid academics alone. Reading it felt like someone had finally placed language and structure around what many intuitive parents already sense: children learn in beautifully different ways.

The book expands on Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, which challenged the old one-size-fits-all idea of intelligence being measured only through memorization or standardized testing. Research in child development and educational psychology continues to support the importance of individualized learning approaches, especially in early childhood when neural pathways are rapidly forming through play, sensory experiences, movement, music, social interaction, and imaginative exploration.

What I appreciated most was how practical the ideas were. Instead of simply presenting theory, the book offers meaningful ways to nurture each child’s strengths—whether they are word-centered, nature-loving, mathematically inclined, deeply empathetic, physically active, musical, artistic, or introspective. As a mother of four young children, it gave me fresh ideas to implement naturally into our homeschool rhythms without making learning feel forced or mechanical.

I especially loved the reminder that children thrive when they feel seen for who they already are. Modern neuroscience increasingly shows that emotional safety, engagement, novelty, and hands-on learning improve retention and deepen understanding. This book reflects those principles beautifully. It honors the whole child rather than reducing them to academic performance alone.

The tone felt encouraging rather than prescriptive, which made it especially refreshing. It left me feeling energized, affirmed in my parenting instincts, and excited to continue cultivating an environment where each of my children can grow according to their own gifts and inner wiring.

A thoughtful and encouraging read for parents, homeschoolers, and educators who value individuality, creativity, and the science of how children truly learn.

[Brianna Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers by Tina Hollenbeck is a thought-provoking yet short book about adapting homeschool content, structure, and styles to best suit your child's "smart" or "smarts" (logic, word, body, self, people, music, picture, nature). While at first glance it seems that this book stands alone, I felt fairly lost without reading another book, 8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch, before opening this subsequent book by Hollenbeck. 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers is, understandably, based upon the foundation of Koch's book and Hollenbeck provides a very brief overview of each type of smart. But, readers would benefit from reading Koch's book in its entirety first. That note aside, there are many pearls of wisdom and resource within this easy-to-read book, which is a great fit for a busy, overwhelmed, or tired homeschool parent! I thoroughly enjoyed thinking about my own children and our current homeschool vision as I read Hollenbeck's numerous personal examples and anecdotal observations.

Overall rating: 4/5 stars. I recommend 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers, but also recommend reading 8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch first. I will keep a copy of 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers on my book shelf and I anticipate rereading it throughout our homeschool years!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in order to write an honest, unbiased review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Words to Wonder · Rating 4 out of 5]

8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers by Tina Hollenbeck is a thought-provoking yet short book about adapting homeschool content, structure, and styles to best suit your child's "smart" or "smarts" (logic, word, body, self, people, music, picture, nature). While at first glance it seems that this book stands alone, I felt fairly lost without reading another book, 8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch, before opening this subsequent book by Hollenbeck. 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers is, understandably, based upon the foundation of Koch's book and Hollenbeck provides a very brief overview of each type of smart. But, readers would benefit from reading Koch's book in its entirety first. That note aside, there are many pearls of wisdom and resource within this easy-to-read book, which is a great fit for a busy, overwhelmed, or tired homeschool parent! I thoroughly enjoyed thinking about my own children and our current homeschool vision as I read Hollenbeck's numerous personal examples and anecdotal observations.

Overall rating: 4/5 stars. I recommend 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers, but also recommend reading 8 Great Smarts by Kathy Koch first. I will keep a copy of 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers on my book shelf and I anticipate rereading it throughout our homeschool years!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in order to write an honest, unbiased review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Cover Lover Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is even more helpful than I expected. Children have different gifts and learn in different ways. 8 Great Smarts for Home Schoolers focuses on 8 types of smarts (Word, Logic, Picture, Music, Body, Nature, People, and Self) and provides effective methods of teaching a variety of subjects (math, arts, science, etc.) that address each child’s particular type(s) of smart.

This is a simple guide that helps you discover your child’s unique strengths and supports teaching techniques to accelerate learning. I love the spiritual aspects of this book and little insights that can make huge difference in teaching children (in homeschooling or life in general) more effectively.

Dɪsᴄʟᴏsᴜʀᴇ: I ʀᴇᴄᴇɪᴠᴇᴅ ᴀ ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟɪᴍᴇɴᴛᴀʀʏ ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ. Mʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ᴡᴀs ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴғʟᴜᴇɴᴄᴇᴅ.

[Candis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gained some new insight into my children and their learning styles, as well as some ideas to implement new learning activities into our homeschool. I will keep the book handy as I wrote down my insights and ideas on the inside cover.
Bonus: The book also helped me gain perspective on the possible learning preferences of the students in my religious education class.
The book is concise and to the point, which helped with my busy lifestyle. Each chapter is divided into bite-sized sections, so I could read a short section, put the book down and let a concept marinate, and resume reading a couple of days later without losing focus.
I highly recommend this book for homeschool parents.

[Deb Carver Ponder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! If you’ve read 8 Great Smarts and wanted more info on how to put into place opportunities for optimal instruction based on your child’s smarts-this book is a must! I think even if you’re not home educating this book has value. It helps you understand even more about their learning styles and how to harness all that is available to you.
This is a book I will re-read and make more active notes in a notebook for each section and each child. This is a reference book you will want to keep on hand.
And the closing chapter puts it all in the proper perspective!!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cool resource… if you know about the 8 great smarts. This book tells you right off the bat to read the original book (8 Great Smarts by Dr. Kathy Koch) in order to learn about them, because 8 Great Smarts for Homeschoolers is assuming you’ve already done so. So that’s my bad. I have the book on order and plan to read that next.

This one gives some explanation, and that was very helpful. I picked up some ways I can help my kids based on their Smarts. I think this book will be even more applicable once I’ve done my catch up homework.

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and now am going to go back and read the original one called 8 Great Smarts. I feel think book helped me figure out more how my daughter learns and will be in my backpocket when we finally pull the plug and start homeschooling. Until that time, I got so many wonderful ideas from this book about how to help her with her day to day schoolwork and will hopefully boost her confidence in her learning.

[Ammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and sweet. It is best if you read Koch's original work first because there isn't a lot of content here, without prior knowledge. There is a lot for me to mull over, and I'll likely read again shortly with highlighter in tow. My teen even picked it up and started reading it, curious about her intelligences. I always love it when she realizes how smart she really is when I mention how God created her in just the way He intended.

[Dani Wilkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author mentions near the start that to fully utilize this book, one should already be familiar with the book 8 Great Smarts by Dr. Kathy Koch. While there are definitely takeaways and suggestions I can implement, I plan to read 8 Great Smarts and then read this book again for a better understanding. I also think a lot of value will come from the web resources the author has compiled, which aren't directly provided in this short read.

[Christina]

I got about 1/3 of the way through this book, but it wasn’t a great fit. Pretty practical tips for different subjects based on how your child’s brain learns best.

1. I recommend reading Kathy Koch’s 8 Great Smarts before jumping into this.
2. I’m just jumping into homeschooling with littles, so I don’t feel like I know my kids’ particular “smarts” yet for this to be super helpful.

[Jordan Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for homeschooling parents, and I love that it is written from a Christian perspective. However, I haven’t read the book she references (that I think these ideas are based off of) written by Dr. Kathy Koch. I think it would be a good idea to read it first before diving into this one. Still a great resource to keep in mind though!

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what a treasure this resource is to anyone wanting to personalize learning with their family. The overall reminder that each person is wired differently and that to love best is to recognize this truth.

[Alix St Amant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the original 8 great smarts book a few years ago and loved it. This one was great as well. I appreciate the effort taken to demonstrate the different ways we learn, and the importance of teaching in a way that suits your child.

[Nilah Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome, so much to think about this next coming year of Kindergarten and beyond! This is my first time hearing about the 8 smarts and it made me want to read Kathy’s book in which this one was inspired.

[Haley Radcliffe · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn’t a bad book. It just wasn’t earth-shattering. Some of this may be because of my own background as a teacher. Overall I don’t feel like I learned much in here or that there was a lot of info that wasn’t common sense.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read for every homeschooling family. I enjoyed reading about the various learning style and how to teach to each child's style. Tina breaks it down by subject in an engaging manner.

[Jen Finke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous and alacritous read. Wonderful remodeling of Gardener’s Multiple Intelligences show through the homeschooling lens. A definite read for any current or future home educator!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little read on applying Koch's 8 great smarts principles to home education.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved diving deeper into how much children best learn and how to apply techniques to make learning more engaging for them.