Your Child's Unique Intelligence

What Kind Of Intelligence Does Your Child Have? New smarts, from numbers to nature. 

Intelligence used to be a matter of academics. Good at school or not. Increasingly, studies suggest that there are different types of intelligence, suited to different minds, and different careers. Here are nine types of intelligence:

• Verbal. Dexterity with words. Career – writer or linguist.
• Mathematical. Logical and number-based thinking. Career – scientist.
• Kinesthetic. Physically skilled at running or moving. Career – gymnast.
• Spatial. Able to connect images and spatial blocks. Career – city architect.
• Musical. Talented with rhythm and sound. Career – hip hop artist.
• Interpersonal. Solving people’s problems. Career – prison counselor.
• Intrapersonal. Understanding self and personal development. Career – advisor.
• Environmental. Adapting to man-made and natural worlds. Career – park ranger.
• Philosophical. Seeing moral dimensions to human problems. Career – priest. 

American education stresses verbal and mathematical abilities. Yet many children, from First Grade onward, have strengths in other areas. Parents who stimulate their child with a range of different experiences, are more likely to find out their child’s unique brand of intelligence. If your first grader struggles with numbers, encourage them to develop an interest in music, or buy finger paints to try. Most children have a special activity, one that they enjoy or are happiest developing. Parents just have to find it. 

Once you’ve narrowed down the focus, invest time and energy into helping your child. If she’s an outdoors type, take her kayaking, or look for specific leaves in woodland. If he has more spatial intelligence, buy Lego bricks or play checkers. Showing an interest in your child and looking for other stimulating resources will show them you care, develop their self-esteem, and enhance their skills. 

For more information on multiple intelligences, please see the full article: