These are the handouts for a presentation I did at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore for Wyeth Nutrition as a part of a trade launch for their S-26 Gold infant formulas.

1. Multiple Intelligences:
Setting the Stage for Children’s Success
Thomas Armstrong, Ph.D. (www.institute4learning.com)
Wyeth Nutrition
The Fullerton Hotel - Singapore
March 21, 2014

2. The Eight Intelligences
 Word SmartWord Smart
 Logic SmartLogic Smart
 Picture SmartPicture Smart
 Body SmartBody Smart
 Music SmartMusic Smart
 People SmartPeople Smart
 Self SmartSelf Smart
 Nature SmartNature Smart

3. Evidence for MI Theory
• Symbol Systems
• Cultural Value
• Developmental History
• Savants
• Brain Structures
• Evolutionary Plausibility
• Other Species

4. Boyle's Law – 8 Ways
Boyle’s Law
Word Smart –
definition
Logic Smart - equation
Picture Smart – visual
metaphor
Music Smart – mnemonic chant
Body Smart – mouth experiment
Nature Smart – scuba diving
example
People Smart – cooperative simulation
Self Smart – personal reflection
(“think of a time in your life….”)

5. Infant Stimulation
Word Smart – exposure
to spoken/written
words of all kinds
Logic Smart – exposure to
counting songs, number rhymes,
pattern songs and stories Picture Smart – exposure to
visual images of all kinds
Music Smart – songs, lullabies, and other
music of all kinds
Body Smart – opportunity to move
and use hands
Nature Smart - exposure to the
natural world (plants, animals,
rocks, clouds, etc.)
People Smart – immersion in a rich
social milieu
Self Smart – opportunities to
experience emotions and self-
initiated behaviors in a safe
setting

6. Toddler Play
Word Smart – word
block play, emergent
literacy activities, lots
of conversation play
Logic Smart – lots of
manipulative play, especially with
materials emphasizing logical,
mathematical or science domains
Picture Smart – art play,
block play, play with other
construction materials
Music Smart – Music Smart instruments
(including real and toy) to play around
with, music to sing to, sound effects to
play with
Body Smart – manipulative, block
play, spaces to move around or
dance around in, space for simple
non-directive sports
Nature Smart - opportunities to
play around pets, play in nature,
play with materials of nature
(rocks, twigs, leaves, etc.).
People Smart – opportunities to play
with other kids, engage in social play
(e.g. playing house, dress up,
construction workers etc.)
Self Smart – spaces for solo play,
materials for challenging oneself
space to express feelings in safe
environment

7. Preschool Environments
Word Smart –
storytelling center;
reading area
Logic Smart – science discovery
area
Picture Smart – picture
library; drawing center
Music Smart – song-writing center
Body Smart – letter gymnasium,
whole body and hands-on centers
Nature Smart – Nature Smart
museum
People Smart – magic circle, simulated
environments (castle, rocket ship, play
house)
Intrarpersonal – spaces for privacy,
areas for individual work

8. Advice to Give Parents
• Start by Identifying Strengths
• Encourage ALL Your Child’s Intelligences
• Be Sparing with Technology
• Choose a Developmental Preschool
• See the Gifts in Children with Special Needs
• Provide Simple Experiential Learning Activities
• Supply Proper Nutrition to Nourish the Brain

9. Learning
is a broad, holistic experience that begins early in the life course
During the first 3 years, the early foundations of learning –
including language & visual development, reasoning, memory and
problem solving – are established
Optimal growth and development early in the life course can serve
to prepare children for lifelong learning and later accomplishments
in school and beyond.
““Good health and nutrition are needed to achieve one’s fullGood health and nutrition are needed to achieve one’s full
educational potential because nutrition affects intellectualeducational potential because nutrition affects intellectual
development and learning ability”development and learning ability”
- World Health Organization (WHO) Information Series on School Health

10. Nutrition Can Impact
Early Brain Development & Learning
• Early childhood is a critical period for cognitive,Early childhood is a critical period for cognitive,
social and emotional growth.social and emotional growth.

11. Key Contributors to Learning
• Key contributors to learning impacted by nutrition include:
Perception Cognition Physical Vitality
• Described as perception through
sensory development
• A child employs all 5 senses to
form their perception of the world
around them
• Described as the ability to think
and encompasses such intellectual
processes as:
̶ Reasoning
̶ Recognition
̶ Problem-solving
• Continuous experiences support
cognitive development by
improving neuronal connections
and memory efficiency2,3
̶ These experiences also facilitate
infants to handle more
complicated tasks, promote
cognitive development, and
ultimately help to learn4
• Described as the ability to actively
engage in one’s environment and
in opportunities to learn
• Supported by growth, digestive
health, and immunity
̶ Optimal growth & motor
development allows child to
interact with the world
̶ Proper digestion and absorption
ensures bio-availability of
essential nutrients
̶ Healthy immune system enables
greater opportunity to learn

12. Role of Nutrients that Support
Learning
Key
Contributors
Nutrient
Associated
Processes
Structural Impact Functional Benefits
DHA1,2
• Synaptogenesis
• Myelin
• Global
• Visual cortex, retina
• Cortex
• Supports visual and
cognitive development
Lutein 2,3
• Antioxidant, filters
blue UV light
• Retina and macula
• Frontal, auditory,
occipital cortex, and
hippocampus
• Supports visual development
and may support brain
development
Choline 1
• Acetylcholine
synthesis
• DNA methylation
• Myelin synthesis
• Global
• Hippocampus
• White matter
• Supports brain and memory
development
High Quality Alpha
Protein
• Rich source of
essential amino acids
• Growth and
development
• Gastrointestinal tract
• Supports growth outcomes
and gastrointestinal
tolerability similar to breast
milk fed infants.
Reference: Trabulsi study
Dietary Fibre
(Oligofructose)6
• Promotes growth of
bifidobacteria
• Gastrointestinal
tract
• Softens stools and promotes
the growth of healthy
gastrointestinal bacterial

13. Website: www.institute4learning.com
Email: thomas@institute4learning.com
Blog: http://institute4learning.com/blog/
Twitter: Dr_Armstrong
Contact Information

14. Readings
Armstrong, Thomas. Neurodiversity in the Classroom: Strength-Based Strategies to Help Students with Special
Needs Achieve Success in School and Life. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2012.
Armstrong, Thomas. The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired
Brain. Cambridge, MA: DaCapo/Perseus, 20101
Armstrong, Thomas. Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, 3rd Ed.. Alexandria, VA: ASCD, 2009.
Armstrong, 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. You’re Smarter Than You Think: A Kids’ Guide to Multiple Intelligences. Minneapolis,
MN: Free Spirit, 2003.
Armstrong, Thomas. The Myth of the A.D.D. Child: 50 Ways to Improve Your Child’s Behavior and Attention
Span without Drugs, Labels, or Coercion. New York: Plume, 1997.
Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic Books, 1983.
Gardner, Howard et al. (eds). Building on Children's Strengths: The Experience of Project Spectrum. New York:
Teachers College Press, 1998.
Gardner, Howard. Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice. New York: Basic Books,
2006.