| Parents are the only people who can observe the full | | | | in one or more of these different intelligences. The |
| dimensions of their children. Other adults see your | | | | eight intelligences are: |
| children in only narrow environments such as school, | | | | - Interpersonal: people smarts such as creating strong |
| sports, arts, and friendships. You see the full scope | | | | relationships |
| of your children as unique people because you | | | | - Intrapersonal: self smarts such as knowing what |
| observe their talents, challenges and personalities | | | | you like and don't like |
| across all parts of life. | | | | - Musical: music smarts such as composing and playing |
| When parents talk about ways in which their children | | | | music |
| are smart or intelligent, they are often hampered by | | | | - Logic-Math: numbers and reasoning smarts such as |
| the limited way society defines intelligence. In school, | | | | solving advanced math problems |
| intelligence is often associated with being good in | | | | - Linguistic: word smarts such as writing articles or |
| language, logic and math. Other ways of being smart | | | | enjoying to read |
| are referred to as extra curricular activities, clubs, or | | | | - Spatial: picture smarts such as painting, drawing or |
| sports. Intelligence is far broader and more complex | | | | designing |
| then the three primary areas around which schools | | | | - Body-Kinesthetic: body smarts such as dancing and |
| are organized. | | | | playing sports |
| The Harvard University professor, Howard Gardner, | | | | - Naturalistic: nature smarts such as gardening or |
| Ph.D., researched intelligence and created a | | | | caring for animals |
| framework years ago that created a broader view | | | | If you use Gardner's broader definition about what |
| about what constitutes being "smart." He said that | | | | constitutes being smart, you will view your children's |
| there are eight different types of intelligences which | | | | intelligences and talents through a different lens, and |
| he labeled Multiple Intelligences. Each person is strong | | | | improve how you support their development. |