Multiple Intelligence

Who says being intelligent means having high grades in school? There are many facets as to how intelligence is characterized. So it goes to say, that EVERY CHILD has a acquire aptitude and skills whether it is hidden or already seen.  

1.       Verbal-Linguistic: WORD SMART

·         Values books and storytelling time

·         Enjoys writing and can compose well-versed sentences compared to average kids of the same age

·         Frequently inquires about word definition, spelling and usage

·         Invents own words to a song

·         Loves to babble, enjoys talking to people

·         Likes to tell or listen to jokes, riddles, tongue-twisters, rhymes, puns, word games

·         Pays attention to words on billboards and signs

·         Can follow directions just by listening

·         Remembers information well

Word smarts think and see in words.

They are elegant speakers, remarkable writers and have highly developed auditory skills. Books, audio-video tapes, voice recorders, writing tools, paper, mini-journals, dialogues, discussions, debates and storytelling help develop verbal-linguistic skills in children. Teaching your children about a concept you know very well, playing memory and word games, or inventing a new ending for an existing story are some effective ways for him to become Word Smart.

2.       Logical –Mathematical: NUMBER SMART

·         Inquires a lot about how things work

·         Enjoys “what if” situations, brain teasers and games that require logical thinking

·         Loves working with abstract concepts and figuring out the relationship between things

·         Believes that everything has a rational explanation

·         Recognizes patterns and order, shapes and sizes

·         Loves solving puzzles and working with blocks and manipulatives

·         Classifies and categorizes information

·         Performs complex mathematical calculations beyond what is developmentally expected

·         Loves to experiment

·         Collects objects

Number smarts form concepts by way of reasoning, numbers and patterns.

They learn best by using a variety of materials to experiment with. Take your kid on trips to the planetarium or science museum to further quench his thirst for knowledge. Provide word problems to solve and allow opportunities to question and wander about natural events. Counters such as bottle caps or poker chips, as well as pattern blocks, snap lock cubes, shape sorters, junior science experiment kits and illustrated kiddie encyclopedias can further encourage your kid to search for answers. Refine his math skills by assigning tasks like scheduling family activities, measuring, making models, estimating costs of your grocery list or restaurant bill and even budgeting.

3.       Bodily-Kinesthetic: BODY SMART

·         Loves to dance, act or mime

·         Mimics other people’s gestures, actions and mannerisms

·         Expresses self well through movement games

·         Often uses hand gestures and other forms of body language during conversations

·         Enjoys sports and other physical activities

·         Shows good motor coordination

·         Takes pleasure in spending time outdoors

·         Likes working with hands: sewing, weaving, carving, carpentry, model-building, clay modelling, finger-painting, crafts, woodworks

·         Handles objects with precision and amazing dexterity

·         Loves taking things apart, then putting them back together

Body smarts think and learn best by using their body.

These learners remember and process information by interacting with the space around them. They need tactile and hands-on experiences through activities such as role-playing, drama, dance, movement, building and constructing, sports, and physical games. Using music and teaching concepts through songs as they clap to the beat, or making up dance steps for songs will surely engage kinesthetic learners. Get physical: go hiking, biking, swimming, dancercising, or simply play more charades so your kid becomes “body smarter”.

4.       Musical: MUSIC SMART

·         Responds with great enthusiasm when music is played

·         Immediately appreciates or critiques music while listening to it

·         Loves to sing (may even have a good singing voice)

·         Hums and taps on surfaces (table, chair, etc.) while thinking or waiting

·         Can easily memorize lyrics

·         Composes music

·         Plays a musical instrument

·         Sensitive to pitch, melody, rhythm and tone

·         Can create and replicate tunes

Music smarts are extremely sensitive to natural ambient sounds such as bells, roosters crowing and crickets, to name a few.

They need regular sing-along and music-appreciation time: listening to music, going to concerts and tinkering with musical instruments (even crude ones like metal kitchenware and empty tin cans). Have music constantly playing softly in the background and sing along with it. Music appreciation is best developed through immersion.

5.       Visual-Spatial: ART SMART

·         Perceives the world accurately and can recreate through pictures or illustrations

·         Likes looking at picture books, photographs and paintings

·         Enjoys coloring books, maps, puzzles and mazes

·         Loves to doodle, paint, draw and build with blocks

·         Can take things apart and put them back together

·         Loves taking photographs and videos

·         Designs practical objects

·         Is sensitive to color

·         Experiences lucid dreams at night and often daydreams

·         Can generally find his way around unfamiliar territory

Art smarts think in pictures and vivid images.

They need a wide range of art activities, building and construction toys, illustrated books, videos, movies and slides to help them retain information. Allow them to play with mazes, puzzles and visual games, or ask them to illustrate a story to foster imagination and creativity. Take them on frequent trips to art museum where they can learn about other art forms and media. Provide a variety of art materials they can explore and use whenever they feel like awakening the Picasso in them.

6.       Interpersonal: PEOPLE SMART

·         Friendly, gracious and sociable

·         Usually popular

·         Constantly enjoys company of friends and family

·         Loves parties and feels comfortable in a crowd

·         Sensitive to other people’s feelings and intentions

·         Listens attentively

·         Enjoys team-building games and group sports

·         Takes initiative to “teach” another kid during play

·         Has strong leadership skills and serves as a mediator in a group

·         Well-organized

People smarts understand people and relationships well.

They form early bonds that last a lifetime. They seek to be involved in group games, social gatherings, community events, clubs and organizations. Allow them to give and receive feedback, or help out in dividing household chores among family members. Conversations and interactive group games where kids are able to collaborate and solve problems with others are good ways to hone interpersonal skills.

7.       Intrapersonal: SELF SMART

·         Has a realistic view of self and of own strengths and weaknesses

·         Strong- willed and independent

·         Has strong, unyielding opinions and expresses them

·         Understands and controls own feelings and moods as well as others’

·         Expresses feelings accurately

·         Observes and listens before taking action

·         Prefers to work or spend time alone

·         Likes to meditate and reflect

·         Keeps a diary or a journal

Self smarts are silent planners and goal setters.

They need their own secret place, as well as a chance to be given choices and engage in self-paced projects. Self-reflection and self-discovery are the learning styles of Self Smart people. Give them imaginative activities and exercises that allow time to think and process emotionally. Provide the following introspective activities: “know thyself” compositions for silent reflection, mindfulness practices combined with journal keeping (e.g., a child can think about how history has affected his life), and concentration exercises like guided imagery, deep breathing, or imagining people from the past living with today’s  technology. Peer tutoring and buddy systems are also some of the effective ways to develop this intelligence.

8.       Naturalist: NATURE SMART

·         Recognizes, classifies and appreciates animals, plants and flowers

·         Enjoys collecting rocks, leaves and flowers; enjoys catching insects

·         Admires trees, mountains, rivers and the movement of clouds

·         Keeps a terrarium or aquarium

·         Has a green thumb

·         Spends a lot of time outdoors

·         Likes to go camping or hiking

·         Loves taking care of and raising pets

·         Enjoys visits to the zoo

·         Genuinely cares for the environment and the planet

Nature smarts think through natural forms.

They need constant access to nature and as many opportunities to interact with animals, as well as tools to investigate nature (e.g., magnifying glass, binoculars). Go outdoors with your kids as often as possible to nurture this love for nature.  Set up a garden or put plants inside the house, and entrust your children with the responsibility of caring for these plants every day.

9.       Existentialist: COSMIC SMART

·         Spends time reflecting on life’s big questions: Why am I here? Are there really ghosts? Where is heaven? Is there life on other planets? Where does God live?

·         Has a deeper view of life and the universe

·         Reads a lot on philosophy, religion and cosmic dimensions

·         Feels different or apart from peers because of preoccupation with existential questions

·         Loves movies, TV shows or plays that have spiritual or philosophical themes

·         Enjoys philosophical or religious discussions and arguments

·         Expresses feelings and ideas about spiritual, philosophical or existential themes through writing, art work and research

Existential intelligence is defined as the deep concern and proficiency in inquiring about “ultimate issues”.

This is manifest in people who pose questions about life, death and ultimate realities, and attempt to answer them as well. This intelligence, however, may not be observed in very young children, and will only start to emerge by age nine, when children are capable of more abstract thinking and reasoning. However, it is not improbable to hear existentialist questions from younger kids ages six to eight, as some may develop higher thinking skills earlier than most.

SOURCE: The Smart Mom’s Guide To The TODDLER YEARS