8 KINDS OF SMARTS

Building On a Child’s Assets for Success in School and LifeThomas Armstrong, Ph.D.

Wyeth NutritionSan Francisco, CA

September 10, 2014

The Eight Intelligences

• Word Smart• Number Smart• Picture Smart• Body Smart• Music Smart• People Smart• Self Smart• Nature Smart

Criterion for Each Intelligence: Potential Isolation by Brain Damage• Word Smart: Broca’s and Wernicke’s

aphasia• Logic Smart: Gerstmann’s syndrome• Picture Smart: Prosopagnosia• Body Smart: Ataxia• Music Smart: Amusia• People Smart: Sociopathy

(orbitofrontal cortex)• Self Smart: Personality disorders

(frontal/limbic)• Nature Smart: Animate/inanimate-

related aphasias

MI Self-Assessment

Boyle’s Law – 8 Ways

Boyle’s Law

Word Smart: definition

Number Smart: equation

Picture Smart: visual metaphor

People Smart: cooperative simulation

Self Smart: personal reflection

Nature Smart: scuba diving example

Body Smart: mouth experiment

Music Smart: mnemonic chant

You Can Use MI Theory To:

• Counsel Parents on a Child’s Intelligences

• Identify Intelligences in Children with Special Needs

• Provide Advice to Parents on Learning Issues

• Deliver Information About Health and Wellness Topics

• Understand Factors That Suppress Intelligences

MI Inventory – Young ChildCheck those statements that apply:

Word Smart

• __ is attracted to words (e.g. letter blocks etc.)• __ enjoys talking• __ engages in emergent writing (or is an early writer)• __ engages in emergent reading (or is an early reader)• __ likes to listen to and/or take part in verbal conversations.• __ has a good memory for facts

Logic Smart

• __ asks lots of ‘’why’’ questions• __ is attracted to numbers (e.g. number blocks etc.)• __ likes to count• __ likes logical patterns (e.g. one red block, two yellow blocks, one red block, two yellow blocks etc.)• __ shows interest in science related topics.• __ does well on Piagetian-type assessments of logical thinking

Picture Smart

• __ is attracted to pictures and images (e.g. illustrations in a book etc.)• __ is highly imaginative• __ enjoys art-related activities.• __ draws well for age• __ enjoys watching video other visual presentations.• __ likes building with blocks or other construction sets

MI Inventory – Young ChildBody Smart

• __ is good with hands (e.g. building, making things, etc.)• __ puts his/her hands all over something he’s/she’s just seen.• __ enjoys running, jumping, wrestling, or similar activities• __ shows ability in one or more sports• __ has a dramatic way of expressing herself/himself.• __ loves tactile experiences (e.g. finger painting, clay, etc.).

Music Smart

• __ is attracted to music (e.g. on TV, radio, CD etc.)• __ loves to sing• __ enjoys interacting with a Music Smart instrument• __ remembers melodies of songs• __ has a good sense of rhythm.• __ has a melodic way of speaking

People Smart

• __ enjoys socializing with peers.• __ shows qualities of a natural leader.• __ likes to play games with other kids.• __ makes friends easily• __ has a good sense of empathy or concern for others.• __ is good at resolving social conflicts

MI Inventory – Young ChildSelf Smart

• __ displays a sense of independence or a strong will.• __ does well when left alone to play.• __ has a good sense of self-direction.• __ prefers working alone to working with others.• __ accurately expresses how he/she is feeling.• __ has a good sense of self-esteem.

Nature Smart

• __ relates very well to animals (e.g. pets).• __ loves to be out in nature• __ has strong feelings for protecting the natural world.• __ is able to identify different kinds of birds, plants, or other living things.• __ enjoys activities in nature such as bird watching, rock or insect collecting, or raising animals.• __ expresses interest in a career relating to nature (e.g. forest ranger, veterinarian etc.).

MI Strategies Mind Map

Objective

Word Smart - How can I use the spoken or written word?

Number Smart: - How can I bring in numbers, calculations, logic, classifications, or critical thinking?

Picture Smart - How can I use visual aids, visualization, color, art, or metaphor?

Music Smart - How can I bring in music or environmental sounds, or set key points in a rhythmic or melodic framework?

Body Smart - How can I involve the whole body or the use of hands-on experiences?Nature Smart - How can I

incorporate living things or systems?

People Smart - How can I engage the child in peer sharing, cooperative learning, or large group simulation?

Self Smart - How can I evoke personal feelings or memories, or give the child choices?

Apply MI to Your Work

Word Smart:Number Smart:

Picture Smart:

People Smart:

Self Smart:

Nature Smart:

Body Smart:

Music Smart:

ResourcesArmstrong, Thomas. 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Many Intelligences: Revised and Updated with Information on 2 New Kinds of Smart. , New York: Plume, 1999.

Armstrong, Thomas. In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child’s Multiple Intelligences. New York: Tarcher/Putnam-Penguin, 2000.

Armstrong, Thomas. The Multiple Intelligences of Reading and Writing: Making the Words Come Alive. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2003.

Armstrong, Thomas. You’re Smarter Than You Think: A Kids’ Guide to Multiple Intelligences. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit, 2003.

Campbell, L. and B. Campbell. Multiple Intelligences and Student Achievement: Success Stories from Six Schools. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2000.

Chen, Ji-Qi, S. Moran, and H. Gardner (eds). Multiple Intelligences Around the World. San Francisco, Jossey-Bass, 2009.

Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books, 1983.

Gardner, Howard.. Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century. New York: Basic, 1999

Multiple Intelligences Institute (online courses on MI) – www.miinstitute.info.

Shearer, Branton. Multiple Intelligences Developmental Assessment Scales. (MIDAS) www.miresearch.org.

• Email: thomas@institute4learning.com• Website: www.institute4learning.com• Blog: http://institute4learning.com/blog/• Twitter: @Dr_Armstrong

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