TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Expert of multiple intelligence Thomas Armstrong, PhD smashes common opinions that says ability in science or math are the only standard to measure a child’s intelligence. Speaking at a talkshow entitled ‘Understanding Multiple Intelligences & the Role of Nutrition’ in Jakarta on Thursday, October 1, Armstrong explained eight types of abilities that are considered as intelligence.
1. Word Smart kids. This type of children tend to like to read, write, talks and listen. If parents find these signs on their child, they may stimulate the intelligence by taking their child in activities involving words such as story-telling, reading club, or dialogue.
2. Self smart kids are children who prefer to play around by themselves, they know what they want to be in the future, and demonstrate strong self confidence. Armstrong said that children with this type of intelligence would shine by intensively taking them in a heart-to-heart conversation, asking them for their opinion about many things or by involving them in a reflective activities such as yoga.
3.For children who like to make or touch something with their hands and to observe their surrounding, they may be of body smart type. Parents may stimulate their intelligence by taking them to physical activities such as sport or dancing, says Armstrong.
4. Nature smart type is when children like to be in the nature, love animals, good in classifying plantations, and care about the natural environment. Taking this type of children to outdoor walks or activities would stimulate their intelligence.
5. Some children may be attracted to numbers, math, science and things that are related to logics. This type of children are of number smart type. Playing monopoly or visiting museums can stimulate their intelligence.
6. Picture smart is the sixth type of intelligence. Children who are picture smart love to draw, play with their imagination and build something.
7. Music smart is a type of intelligence which is shown by tendency to sing, moving body along music, and listen to music.
8. People smart children are those who like to play around with their friends, showing empathy, like to lead and able to understand other people’s feeling.
It is possible, said Armstrong, for a child to posses more than one type of intelligence. In this case, parents need to observe which intelligence the child is more attracted to.
ANTARA