Education for Life Methods
Identifying a Child's Preferred Tool of Maturity

Observe your child carefully for a week or two and jot down notes for each of the following.

1. In which situations is he or she most joyful?

2. When is she least self-conscious and most interested in the process she’s engaged in?

3. During what activities does he express enthusiasm or wonder?

4. When is he most receptive and open to others’ input?

With this information in hand, look back at these situations and determine which Tool or Tools of Maturity were being expressed in each situation. Samples of activities for each follow.

Physical/Body:  1) enjoyment of physical activity, 2) preference for active games when with friends, 3) likes to play with objects in a physical way

Feeling:  1) spending time with friends in fantasy play (Let’s Pretend); 2) caring for animals; 3) enjoying music and art

Will:  1) seeking to win or be the best at each activity or not wishing to pursue it if this isn’t possible; 2) wanting to make decisions; 3) if given an ultimatum, will choose to take the worst consequence rather than give in

Intellect:  1) interest in the world of ideas; 2) liking to discuss things; 3) enjoying puzzles and activities that involve thinking and strategy

Now shade in the following chart from the bottom up to show how often your child was engaged in each when his energy was most “in the flow” and his attention most happily engaged.

Based on these observations, what do you think is your child's dominant Tool of Maturity? Is it different from yours? Are you giving your child opportunities to express his talents and to feel confidence in using his predominant Tool? If not, how can you?