Here is a brief look at the different ways your child is smart. Click here for more about the different types of intelligence.
Linguistic intelligence (“word smart”)
- Excels at reading and/or writing
- Above average vocabulary
- Enjoys word games
- Likes to listen to stories on tape
- Has a good memory for anything they’ve heard
- Likes to talk!
- Spells words accurately and easily
Logical-mathematical intelligence (“number/reasoning smart”)
- Prefers to do math in their head
- Enjoys deep questions like “where does God live?”
- Likes to draw realistic images, has no patience for abstract, free form work
- Wants a logical answer to questions
- Doggedly pursues answers and will devise experiments to test their ideas
- Understands best if things are organized into categories or sequence
- Very practical, dislikes school work that serves no purpose other than to fill time
Spatial intelligence (“picture smart”)
- Understands a school subject more by the visual images provided than by listening to a lecture
- Loves to sketch things out and will even sketch things related to what they are feeling.
- Enjoys photography, scrapbooks, and other visual arts as a way to demonstrate what they have learned
- The household Lego Master!
- Can read maps easily and can “see” the map in their head
- May seem a bit unfocused because they are great daydreamers
- Normal conversation revolves around what they see as opposed to what they felt, what others were doing, or the sounds that may have occurred.
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (“body smart”)
- Communicate through facial expression and gestures more than language
- Express excitement over what they have done more than what they’ve seen, heard or felt
- Need to touch things to learn about them – hands on museums are a must!
- Motivated by competition of all sorts
- Will move some part of their body even when absorbed in thought
- Easily picks up skills involving work with the hands like crafts, making models, woodworking, and mechanics
- Excellent balance, body awareness and physical skills of all types
Musical intelligence (“music smart”)
- They are naturally drawn to musical instruments
- Insists they really can study better with the radio playing in the background
- Remembers the lyrics to every song they’ve ever heard
- Can identify the different instruments and harmonies within a piece of music
- Sings to themselves or hums quietly when deep in thought
- Has strong likes and dislikes in their musical tastes
- Relates what they’ve heard throughout their day rather than what they saw or did
Interpersonal intelligence (“people smart”)
- Loves to socialize with everyone and anyone, regardless of age
- Seems to understand and connect with people of all backgrounds
- Fits in easily, makes friends easily
- Goes along with the group to avoid hurting feelings
- Natural empathy for the poor, homeless, or friendless
- Dislikes strife, will step in and mediate conflicts
- Prefers cooperative group games and learning opportunities over competition
Intrapersonal intelligence (“self smart”)
- Independence, strong willed and, taken to extremes, rebelliousness
- Good leader
- Decisive, idea person
- Doesn’t worry about following the crowd or the opinions of others
- Prefers solitude or just one or two close friends
- Works best alone and on projects of their own choosing
- Good communicator of their own feelings
Naturalist intelligence (“nature smart”)
- They seem to prefer pets to people
- They enjoy hiking, camping, boating and other outdoor activities
- Sensitive to changes in the environment both inside and out
- Fascinated by watching ant colonies, butterfly metamorphosis, and aquariums
- Like to help in the garden, have almost a tender affection for plants
- Love to visit zoos and nature museums
- Can easily understand how all living systems are inter-related and dependent upon each other.
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