Once awakened, your preschoolers multiple intelligences set the foundation for learning trajectories. Howard Gardner first presented his theory in 1983 and identified eight separate intelligences that everyone has: word smarts, music smarts, number smarts, picture smarts, body smarts, people smarts, self smarts, and nature smarts. Children are so unique in the way these eight smarts function in their brains. Most kids have 1-2 highly developed intelligences, 2-4 moderately developed ones, and 1-2 relatively undeveloped ones.
What are multiple intelligences?
Preschoolers multiple intelligences show through in the following ways:
- Word smarts: recite poems, read books, tell stories, do word puzzles and games, learn languages, write/dictate letters
- Music smarts: learn a musical instrument, write a tune, listen to music, join a band, attend a concert, sing songs
- Number smarts: practice early coding on toys, learn about science, do math in your head, solve mysteries, play strategy games, solve mysteries, or work on brainteasers
- Picture smarts: build with blocks, play video games, watch movies, create videos, draw pictures, look at artwork
- Body smarts: perform in skits or plays, practice sports, learn a craft like woodworking or knitting, make things with clay
- People smarts: teach others to get along, help others, make friends, join a club, serve as a leader, listen well
- Self smarts: reflect on life, keep a journal, begin a new hobby, think about the future, set goals
- Nature smarts: gaze at stars, care for plants, play with animals, go camping, watch birds, recycle trash
Activities to support your preschoolers multiple intelligences at home
Looking at the list of multiple intelligence activities above, families can definitely develop their children’s multiple intelligences at home – and they probably already do! Here are some activities that you can incorporate:
- Storytelling or sing-along night (word and music smarts)
- Art fest – each family member creates some kind of art (picture smarts)
- Hike outdoors (nature smarts)
- Play soccer or set up a sports festival (body smarts)
- Play math games or do math activities (number smarts)
- Host a family meeting to solve issues affecting the family like chore schedules or discussing what to do about clutter (people smarts)
Activities to support your preschoolers multiple intelligences outside
Local community resources provide plenty of opportunities to support your preschoolers multiple intelligences:
- Parks/zoos/aquariums/botanical gardens – nature smarts
- Places of worship – self smarts
- Art museums or outdoor art exhibits – picture smarts
- Science museums or grocery stores – number smarts
- Concerts – music smarts
- Libraries and bookstores – word smarts
- Playgrounds, swimming pools, mini golf courses – body smarts
Going to these places or practicing these activities isn’t always about mastery. It’s important to expose your child to these smarts to develop them for enjoyment’s sake. We learn to rest and pick up hobbies by knowing what we enjoy, not just what we’re forced to do. Even the self reflection necessary to identify what we like is an intelligence.
Academic confidence and the road ahead
Supporting your preschoolers multiple intelligences now means that they will have the self awareness to overcome challenges and play to their strengths. No one is perfect and the goal here is to make it possible for all learners to thrive in each of the eight intelligences. Giving preschoolers exposure to all intelligences early on helps them realize their full potential and develop into confident, happy, and healthy kids. After Uvalde and all the school shootings that came before, this seemingly banal goal could not be more important!
