What are your child's special gifts?

A tool to help your child discover his/her gifts and activities to help develop them.
In his groundbreaking 1983 book, Frames of Mind, Harvard professor of education Howard Gardner theorized that people can be smart in a number of ways. He suggests that environments, cultures, and genetic makeups determine how all of our intelligences work together, and which ones become more developed. Gardner eventually came up with a list of eight recognized intelligences:

1. Linguistic intelligence': Intelligence related to words and/or word meanings. A child with strengths in linguistic intelligence will remember words, meanings and be able to put words easily into orders and patterns.
2. Logical-mathematical intelligence: Intelligence related to numbers and/or reasoning. A child who is strong in logical-mathematical will easily be able to manipulate objects and create mathematical sequences.
3. Spatial intelligence: Intelligence related to images or pictures. Children with this skill will likely be good at art or design.
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence: Intelligence related to controlling body motions and manual dexterity type skills. Children with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence tend to be very skilled at sports. They might gravitate toward dancing or other forms of outward expression.
5. Musical intelligence: Intelligence related to musical skills. Children with this ability will excel in music and even create their own music.
6. Interpersonal intelligence: Intelligence in how to relate to people. Children with interpersonal intelligence will be able to read other people and their emotions and will also have a lot of charisma. These people tend to be leaders.
7. Intrapersonal intelligence: Intelligence that allows one to understand their inner world, what their dreams mean and so on. Novelists often have this type of intelligence and will put their personal emotions on the paper.
8. Naturalist intelligence: Intelligence that relates to sensitivity toward other living things, such as animals and plants. These kids will start to classify groups of plants, animals and objects from an early age.

Every individual has a unique combination of the above traits. While one person may be strong in musical intelligence and weak in naturalistic, another is strong in linguistic. MI tests will help determine the areas a child is strong in. This can then be used to focus on those subjects in school or to build up weak areas or potential problems.

Although these tests will help you determine which areas are strengths for your child or students, the best indicator is often just observing your child. For example, a child with musical intelligence will often make up songs and learn music quickly. With this knowledge in hand, you can help your child in any areas which he might be struggling.

Please visit the website below to help your child discover his/her multiple gifts and talents. A great resource for you and your child. Go discover and have fun: http://surfaquarium.com/MI/inventory.htm