Howard Gardner's 30 year old theory of the existence of 8 and more Multiple Intelligence in an individual as against a single IQ is slowly gaining ground. Read on about how you can discover and nurture the MI in your child

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Wake-up! Y
our seven-year-old daughter’s teachers at school are complaining
about her. The child has some difficulty following the lessons
Your
taught; her classwork is often incomplete. But she draws
beautiful diagrams; her project work is imaginative. At home, you know
that she likes science. She brings you an illustrated encyclopaedia with
pictures of fiery volcanoes, surging seas and interesting pot-bellied ants
child is
and asks you to read aloud to her. She cannot bear to see a mosquito
squashed. She cannot tolerate the fact that dirty water is going
untreated into the sea.
KNOWING YOUR An intelligence You feel that she has an
is the ability to intelligence innate in her
CHILD’S MULTIPLE solve problems, or that makes her appreciate
the world outside. What
INTELLIGENCES to create products, is this intelligence and is it
that are valued enough for her to get by
BY RANGASHREE SRINIVAS within one or more in academics? How should
cultural settings. this intelligence be tapped?
Are schools (and parents
Howard Gardner, too) progressive enough
Frames of Mind (1983) to treat each child as a
unique individual, and adapt
themselves accordingly to
satisfy her needs?
It is therefore
important that
both you as
a parent and
her teachers
understand
the multiple
intelligences (MI)
present in every child,
learn to identify the
dominant ones and tap
them appropriately.
Howard Gardner, the
father of the Multiple
Intelligence theory,
visited India recently
renewing an interest
in MI and how it

2. Word Number
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will impact the world in the years to The MI theory suggests that an In contrast, the MI theory recognizes at
come. In the 30 years since he first individual possesses intelligences in least eight different intelligences that
propounded the theory of MI, further several areas as against the traditional have to be considered while creating an
research has been done, not just by idea of a single intelligence. An ‘intelligence’ profile of a person.
him, but by several other scholars and intelligent person has been recognized
practitioners around the world. so far only by her linguistic (language) MI theory strives to provide educators
abilities or logical (mathematical) and parents with a tool to recognize
WHAt IS MI? abilities as these are considered and nurture the different abilities of the
Gardner developed this theory based to be important for academic child. It redefines the word ‘intelligent’
on his observations of hundreds of advancement. Thus, only the student or ‘smart’. It brings in new thinking
people from different walks of life, who achieves high scores in class is towards nurturing excellence, creativity
under everyday circumstances. His study considered intelligent. Another child and genius. It emphasises that all
also included stroke victims, prodigies, may just be ‘talented’ in the area of children can learn and that it is the
autistic individuals, and the so-called her achievement – ‘She is a good adults who need to know how to
‘idiot savants’. According to Gardner, dancer; let us send her for the inter- teach them.
school dance competition.’ ‘He is a
All human beings possess all eight good cricket player; but he needs to THE 8 INtELLIGENCES IN tHE MI
intelligences in varying amounts, concentrate now on improving his FRAmEwORK
with some, more dominant than grades’ and so on. Chitra Ravi (Founder and CEO, EZ
others. Vidya), who has worked under Gardner
Each person has a different Worse still, in some schools only the on Project Zero at Harvard University,
intellectual composition. academically well-performing students gives some pointers to parents to spot
We can improve education by are given the opportunity to participate intelligences in their children.
addressing the multiple intelligences in co-curricular activities when there
of our students. could be others more suited for this. 1.Linguistic intelligence is the
These intelligences are located in For instance, it is the class topper who capacity to use languages, to express
different areas of the brain and can gets to deliver the school’s morning oneself, and to understand other
either work independently assembly speech. It is the girl who people. Poets specialise in linguistic
or together. scores a 100% in math who gets to intelligence. But any kind of writer,
These intelligences may define the automatically represent her school in orator, speaker, lawyer, or a person for
human species. the inter-school quiz competition. whom language is an important 8
www.parentcircle.in 13

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Picture Body
Smart Smart
stock in trade, highlights player or sculptor represents a more Some children appear to be restless
linguistic intelligence. circumscribed spatial world. Spatial while studying; they need to take a
intelligence can be used in the arts or ‘running’ break every 20 minutes.
Does your child love to read and write? in the sciences. If your child is spatially If your child is doing a cross-legged
Does he enjoy solving word puzzles? intelligent and oriented toward the arts, jig while you are revising his science
Does he think in more languages he is more likely to become a painter lessons with him, understand that
than one? or a sculptor or an architect than, say, it is his way of learning. Is he body
a musician or a writer. Similarly, certain smart? Can he mime? Look at his facial
2. People with a highly developed sciences like anatomy or topology expressions closely.
logical-mathematical intelligence emphasise spatial intelligence.
understand the underlying principles 5. Musical intelligence is the capacity
of some kind of a to think in music,
causal system, the
way a scientist or a
If your child is caught doodling in to be able to hear
patterns, recognise
logician does. They can class, it is not necessarily a sign of them, remember
manipulate numbers, disinterest - he is just ‘mapping’ the them, and perhaps
quantities, and
operations, the way a lesson out! manipulate them.
mathematician does. If your child drums
So if your child is caught doodling on the table or whistles during his
Does your child reason out why he in class, it is not necessarily a sign of lessons, or listens to music while
needs to budget his pocket money? disinterest – he is just ‘mapping’ the studying, then it is this dominant
Does he like to pack his school bag in a lesson out! intelligence at work.
particular sequence? Is he
number smart? 4. Bodily kinaesthetic intelligence 6. Interpersonal intelligence is the
is the capacity to use the whole body ability to understand other people.
3. Visual-spatial intelligence refers or parts of the body –hand, fingers, It is an ability we all need, but it is
to the ability to represent the spatial arms– either to solve a problem, or to substantial in teachers, psychologists,
world internally in one’s mind – the make or produce something. Evident salespersons, or politicians. Anybody
way a sailor or a pilot navigates the examples: athletes or performing artists, who deals with other people has to be
large spatial world, or the way a chess particularly dancers or actors. skilled in the interpersonal sphere.8
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People Music
Smart Smart
Does your child enjoy talking to other among living things (plants, animals) THE ImPLICAtION OF MI
children and adults? Does he empathise as well as sensitivity to other features FOR A PARENt
with them? Does he understand ‘the of the natural world (clouds, rock Says Chitra, “Every parent should
right moments’ to approach people to configurations). This ability was clearly nurture the native intelligence/s of
get his work done? of value in our evolutionary past as her child. This is better done during
hunters, gatherers, and farmers; it the primary days, when the child still
7. Intrapersonal intelligence refers continues to be central in such roles displays his natural propensities without
to having an understanding of the self, as botanist or chef. Today’s society inhibition. The parent has a great
of knowing who you are, what you exploits the naturalist intelligence of chance of observing his child at home,
can do, what you want to do, how people to distinguish between different where the environment is less rigid
you react, what to avoid etc. We are types of cars, shampoos and the like. and structured, compared to school.
drawn to people If the child is
who have a good
understanding If the child is encouraged to do what encouraged to
do what comes
of themselves comes naturally to him from early on, he naturally to him
because such
people do not has a very good chance of leading a happy from early on,
he has a very
screw up. They
tend to know what
and fulfilling life. good chance of
leading a happy
they can do and and fulfilling
what they cannot do. They tend to Does your child point out to you the life. He would make lesser mistakes
know where to go, if they need help. difference between a camel and a in his choice of a career, as he would
dromedary? confidently gravitate to where his
Does your child know that if he interest and intelligence lies.
wears his favourite colour green, he 9. A ninth intelligence is to be added
gets pepped up? Does he have an to this list and that is Existential The parent can detect multiple
understanding of what tends to intelligence – sensitivity and capacity intelligences in a child even when he is
upset him? to tackle deep questions about human in middle school or in high school. But,
existence, such as the meaning of life, a lot of spontaneity in that child would
8. Naturalist intelligence designates why do we die, and how did we have died by then and much of the
the human ability to discriminate get here. intelligence would have been pruned.”8
16 Parent Circle / March 2012

5. Naturalist
Intelligence
Best suited to be an
animal health technician,
anthropologist, astronomer,
Intrapersonal botanist, environmental
Intelligence Best suited lawyer, farmer, forest
to be a career counsellor, ranger, gardener,
consultant, criminologist, geologist, landscaper,
healer, futurist or trend meteorologist, nature
predictor, personal photographer,
counsellor, philosopher, veterinarian, Verbal-
programme planner, water conservationist, Linguistic
entrepreneur, wetlands ecologist, Intelligence Best
psychologist, researcher, wildlife expert suited to be a writer,
small business, owner, poet, journalist, teacher,
spiritual counsellor, lawyer, librarian,
theologian, therapist, marketing consultant,
writer, wellness newscaster,
counsellor politician
Show them
Interpersonal the moon and Mathematical-
Logical Intelligence
Intelligence
Best suited they will Best suited to be an
accountant, mathematician,
to be an
administrator, reach for statistician, economist, detective,
computer analyst,
communications
manager, customer
service representative,
the stars! computer technician,
computer
human resources manager, programmer,
marketing specialist, Best suited careers database designer,
engineer, network
nurse, politician, for an intelligence analyst, physicist,
psychologist, religious scientist
leader, social worker, The MI profile of your child can
teacher, trainer guide him in choosing a suitable
career path.
Bodily-
Kinesthetic
Intelligence Best suited Musical
Visual- Intelligence
to be an actor, athlete, Spatial Intelligence
carpenter, computer games Best suited to
Best suited to be a be an audiologist,
designer, crafts person, dancer, 3D modelling & simulation,
sports composer,
architect, artist, film animator, conductor,
therapist, graphic artist, interior decorator,
forest ranger, disc jockey,
photographer, mechanic, navigator, music critic,
jeweller, pilot, sculptor, strategic planner,
mechanic, sound editor,
surveyor, urban planner, music teacher, music
personal webmaster
trainer, therapist, musician,
surgeon recording engineer,
singer, songwriter,
speech pathologist
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Self Nature
Smart Smart
EXtREmE INtELLIGENCES abilities. Their MI profiling is created allows children to approach a given
The presence of MI is easily detected and shared with their educator who task through their unique intelligences.
in both the learning-disabled and the incorporates it into her teaching. In one session, the facilitator showed
gifted, as Gardner found out. A child the children a drawing of colourful
who may have trouble reading may “Children with learning disabilities concentric circles and asked them to
have a keen eye for animals and birds. come with very low self-esteem,” says make a similar drawing. One child who
A prodigy who reels off the square Swetha Chandrashekar, coordinator, exhibited Visual-Spatial Intelligence
roots of three-digit numbers could be Hydra Project. “With planned exposure just picked up different colours and
tone-deaf. The use of MI theory can to various activities like interactions with drew the circles intuitively. Another
help educators of both groups to build musicians, movement sessions, working child measured the distances between
capacity in the child. with puzzles, art & craft sessions, field each circle, outlined the circles in
pencil first before filling
The Hydra Project in We never tell a child to do in the colours. This child
Chennai works with
Vidyasagar (a voluntary anything in a ‘certain’ way. It is possibly possessed high
Mathematical-Logical
organization based in their unique approach that gives us Intelligence.
Chennai that works
with children and young an insight into their minds. In another instance, a
adults with cerebral palsy child who was given
and other neurological disabilities) to trips to nature parks & photography paper and a pair of scissors to make a
mentor groups of learning-disabled studios, we are able to show them what collage, reportedly began to study the
children. they can do, rather than what they mechanics of the scissors. “We never
can’t do. This boosts their self-esteem tell a child to do anything in a ‘certain’
An after-school activity centre, Hydra and we have seen them improve way. It is their unique approach that
exposes the children for a period of significantly in other areas too,” gives us an insight into their minds,”
3 to 4 months to various activities. she adds. says Swetha.
The children are observed for their
preferences to certain activities, their She also talks about ‘Pluralism’ in A handmade poster is prominently
approach to problems, and specific administering the MI theory, which displayed in the front room of Hydra.
18 Parent Circle / March 2012

7. The poster spells out simple classroom researching this topic at the school
rules of cleanliness and etiquette. The library and on the internet. Others Busting the
‘N’ of neat is a mirror image as it was
written by a dyslexic child. “The dyslexic
made charts, and oral presentations.
Some produced a dance-drama. myths
child was particularly surprised that I
did not correct him, he was so used to
So a topic close to their hearts was
approached in different ways,” says
behind MI
constant corrections. My job is not to Mrs YGP. MI is not an educational end;
correct the child, but to help him learn it is an educational means to a
by himself,” says Swetha. Applying the theory of MI in schools stated goal.
calls for an effort by the school, and MI is not the same as a
INtEGRAtING MI INtO tEACHING it has to percolate top down. It would sensory system; MI is like a set of
AND ASSESSmENt mean that different computers in the brain,
The child who is considered to be of The school should believe that any processing the various sensory
average intelligence in school is, as discipline requires MI and that any goal inputs.
mentioned earlier, inevitably tested only can be reached through MI MI is not the same as a
for Verbal-Linguistic and Mathematical- The school will have to develop discipline or career. A single
Logical intelligences. He could turn adequate resources and effective discipline will require multiple
out to be a really good surgeon with modelling for teaching through MI intelligences. For example, a
more dominant Bodily Kinesthetic and Teachers have to be coaches and brilliant dancer needs both bodily
Interpersonal intelligences. In reality, facilitators and not mere kinaesthetic and interpersonal
people can bring in their various content providers intelligence. A particular
intelligences into any work they do. Learning has to be individualized. intelligence is required in several
Fortunately, reforms in Indian education A topic, say ‘Parts of a plant’ can be disciplines. For example, you
like the introduction of Continous and explained verbally, or visually through must possess spatial intelligence
Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE), may drawings and illustrations, or by taking to be an artist or a chess player
give schools an avenue to tap the MI of a walk in the park, through discussions or an architect.
students and award grades accordingly. and research, or in many other ways. MI is not the same as learning
The teacher should facilitate self- style, it refers to a mental
Dr Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, better learning according to the child’s computer.
known as Mrs YGP, the founder-head dominant intelligence MI cannot be measured; there
of the famous Padma Seshadri schools A time should be allotted everyday is no official empirical
in Chennai says, “We have always for the teachers to discuss with each measurement as yet.
believed that every child has unique other, the events of the day There is no curriculum to
abilities. Our theme-based annual follow MI; a framework has to be
productions allow every student to be EZ Vidya, the company that Chitra evolved case by case according to
a part of the production in different Ravi founded, helps schools by what the society values.
ways. For instance, in our last year’s providing them with products and MI relates directly to
production, ‘Sri Gurubhyo Namaha’, services that integrate the MI concepts. performance or achievement-
the children were engaged in research, This framework, when applied in oriented goals; a child who has
documentation, scripting, art, music classrooms, triggers the different Musical Intelligence need not
and dance. This gave an opportunity intelligences in a child, stimulates self- necessarily become a vocalist or
for each student to apply his unique learning and self-discovery. “Apart from instrumentalist. She may use the
intelligences to the whole production. conceptual learning, we also focus on aspect of music to study
‘living well’ – to be in harmony with the Sonography.
Recently, some students who were world and oneself,” she says. Intelligence is God - given and
upset on having witnessed the flogging static. In reality, intelligence
of a bullock, reported it to us. We “Many of our science and math lessons needs the right kind of exposure
encouraged them to do a project on start with a poem or a crossword. The to flower. Otherwise, it
‘Our dumb friends’. Some students teacher allows the child to approach a will wither.
did a thorough study in two weeks, topic in the way he likes,” she says. 8
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when he says “Character is more
Multiple VS Traditional IQ important than intellect”. By nurturing
Intelligences MI in our children, we can foster a new
global renaissance, which calls upon
Creates a profile after assessing A single format test that assesses one’s everyone – the genius, the impaired and
different intelligences and abilities. Language and Mathematical abilities. the ordinary to work together in their
unique capacities.
Was born out of a Dutch grant project American psychologist Lewis Terman
of scholarly work on human potential. developed tests designed to measure
Gardner developed it while chronicling intelligence quotient (IQ). IQ tests were
known facts about human cognition commonly used in colonial times to
(through discoveries in the biological measure performance success in public
and behavioural sciences). schools, to assess one’s ability to rule
over the colonies, and as a military
induction test.
Takes into account various cultural Terman was a strong supporter of
contexts and ethnic influences. eugenics (breeding to improve human
race), and enthusiastically argued
that his test results proved that “the A NAtURALISt NAmED VIKAS
intelligence of the average Negro is Vikas Madhav Nagarajan, 12
vastly inferior to that of the average years old, started an ecosystem
white man”. conservation in the year 2007
to create an awareness about
Is organic in nature and expands with Is static in nature. If you are born with flora and fauna. As a part of
nurture, exposure and experience. an IQ of 120, it remains so this project, Vikas has produced
a beautiful tabletop calendar
Every human, even those with Has a limited and rigid range. Above featuring a variety of species of
retarded brain growth, the average 140 IQ is considered genius or near birds that he photographed on a
person and the gifted ones have MI of genius and below 70 IQ is definite day safari from Athirapally falls to
value. In fact, the impaired and gifted feeble-mindedness. Peringalkuthu dam.
have at least one highly dominant
intelligence. Vikas has undertaken personal
survey trips to Wayanad,
FOR PARENtS has to be one!” Megamalai, Kabini, Coorg,
Shirin Mammen, Coordinator, HRD, RESPECt your child as an entity Sundarbans, Kodaikanal, Mukurthi,
Vidyasagar advises parents to nurture different from yourself. Perumparai and some parts
the intelligences of their children DO NOt look for an ‘end’ for any of Palani Hills. He participates
REDUCE stress on high marks. activity. If he likes music, he need not regularly in the ecosystem
ObSERVE without judgement. Let your be a stage performer. awareness programmes conducted
child be. LEt your child have a ‘happiness’ by the Tamil Nadu Forest
LEt your child play naturally. corner. Let him sing away his blues. Department, the Tree Foundation
BE an ‘intuitive’ parent. DO NOt opt for any activity only for and the Madras Naturalists Society.
StAy away from narcissism – both the sake of achievement. This young naturalist has even
positive and negative. conducted quiz programmes
Positive narcissism: “My wife and I are According to Gardner, Multiple for high school students. His
both doctors. My child should opt for Intelligences should be used to do ‘intelligence’ shows through the
medical studies only!” good work – work that is deemed to intimate descriptions of the birds
Negative narcissism: “I wanted to be a be of high quality and which is socially featured in his calendar.
carnatic vocalist. I couldn’t, but my child responsible. He echoes Ralph Emerson
20 Parent Circle / March 2012