Chances are you’re familiar with Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences — which refer to eight different types of intelligence that guide how individuals learn and process information. Multiple intelligences activities can help you apply Gardner’s theory to how you approach your child’s learning process.
How do you start engaging your child in multiple intelligences activities? The checklist I’m going to provide in this post is a perfect place to start. In addition to providing ideas for multiple
intelligences activities I will also will also explain how they may appeal to your child based on their particular strengths. From there, you can choose the multiple intelligences activities that best suit him or her.
Before going over these activities, it’s important that you first identify your child’s multiple intelligences if you haven’t already. In order to do that, you can have your child complete The Connell Multiple Intelligence Questionnaire for Children. This will help you gain a better understanding of the areas your child is strongest in, and which activities would most compliment their learning style.
Children with strengths in verbal-linguistic intelligence use words as their primary way of thinking and solving problems. They can excel as writers, speakers, or sometimes both. Through using words they are skilled at persuading others, participating in debates, entertaining, or teaching.
Possible Multiple Intelligences Activities for Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence:
- Crossword puzzles
- Word games
- Writing short stories and/or articles
- Using word processing software
- Creative writing, such as prose and poetry
Children with strengths in logical-mathematical intelligence excel at working with numbers. They are skilled at interpreting data and understanding patterns.
Possible Multiple Intelligences Activities for Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
- Math-oriented games — such as dominoes, chess, checkers, and Monopoly
- Performing experiments based on scientific concepts
- Using math and science software such as the games found on our site
Children with strengths in spatial intelligence think in terms of pictures and images. They have strong visual receptive skills as well as fine motor skills. Students with this intelligence use their eyes and hands to make artistic or creatively designed projects.
Possible Multiple Intelligences Activities for Spatial Intelligence
- Creating things with their hands and eyes using clay or play dough
- Building with Legos
- Putting together jigsaw puzzles
Children with strengths in musical intelligence process information primarily through sound. They excel in their ability ability to interpret, compose, and/or perform music.
Possible Multiple Intelligences Activities for Musical Intelligence
- Writing song lyrics
- Playing an instrument
- Composing music with a band .
- Using rhythm and clapping to memorize information
- Listening to audio teachings of things like the alphabet, parts of speech, and states and capitals, etc.
Children with strengths in bodily-kinesthetic intelligence interact with world through touch and movement. They have exceptional control over their bodies, and excel in physical activities.
Possible Multiple Intelligences Activities for Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
- Acting, role-playing, or performing skits
- Playing games the involve the use of one’s whole body, like Twister and Simon Says
- Scavenger hunts that involve searching for items related to a theme
Children with strengths in interpersonal intelligence excel at getting along with others effectively. They enjoy interacting with others and tend to have many friends.
Possible Multiple Intelligences Activities for Kinesthetic Intelligence
- Working in groups to complete projects
- Working in pairs to learn new things
- Teaching others
Children with strengths in intrapersonal intelligence have a keen understanding of their own feelings, ideas, and goals. It’s not unusual for children with this intelligence to need occasional alone time.
Possible Multiple Intelligences Activities for Intrapersonal Intelligence
- Keeping a journal
- Writing essays
- Recording their goals for the future, with a plan for how to achieve them
- Making scrapbooks
Children with strengths in naturalistic intelligence have natural interest in the environment. These children especially enjoy interacting with nature.
Possible Multiple Intelligences Activities for Naturalistic Intelligence
- Caring for plants
- Caring for pets
- Identifying and organizing items found in nature, such as leaves and rocks
- Participating in park/playground clean-ups, recycling drives, and other such projects
For more information on multiple intelligences, click here.