Developing multiple intelligence in children

Being intelligent is a blessing as it gives the person an esteemed status in society and opens a wealth of opportunities to succeed in life. This is why parents go to great lengths to ensure that their children are given the proper care and nutrition to help them become intelligent and productive members of society.

Recently, however, the generally accepted view of single intelligence is facing some serious challenges. A main proponent of this challenge is Harvard University professor Dr. Howard Gardner, a multi-awarded author of books on human intelligence, education, creativity and leadership.

In 1983, Gardner developed his Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which states that there are eight different intelligences: linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intra-personal and naturalist.

With these intelligences, Gardner says a person may be better off than others because Nature gave that person a better brain.

Expounding on the intelligences, linguistic intelligence is the capacity to use language, including one’s native language and perhaps other languages, both to express one’s self and to understand other people.

Logical-mathematical intelligence is the capacity to understand the underlying principles of some kind of a casual system, or the capacity to manipulate numbers, quantities and operations.

Spatial intelligence refers to the ability to represent the spatial world internally in one’s mind. Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to use one’s whole body or body parts to solve a problem, make something or put in some kind of a production.

Musical intelligence is the capacity to think in music, to be able to hear patterns, recognize, remember and perhaps manipulate them. Interpersonal intelligence is understanding other people, while intra-personal intelligence means having an understanding of one’s self, knowing who one is, what one can and wants to do, how one reacts to things, which things to avoid and gravitate toward.

Finally, naturalist intelligence designates the human ability to discriminate among living things, as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world.

Knowing these intelligences exist has affected how we recognize and appreciate intelligence in others.

Gardner’s theory, indeed, challenges the traditional notion of who ought to be considered intelligent and just how intelligent they are.

Inspired by this theory, Wyeth, a leading advocate of the development of multiple intelligences, has launched Small World, an organization that seeks to discover and nurture multiple intelligence among children.

Held at SM Makati, the event featured a kiosk which showcased a multiple intelligence exhibit. Highlighting the affair was the presence of gifted painter CJ de Silva (spatial intelligence), who demonstrated her gifts as she painted on the spot.

Aside from CJ, the other Promil Gifted Kids are Ryan Tumbocon (linguistic intelligence), Napoleon Salvador Antonio (logical-mathematical intelligence), Jiro Manio (bodily-kinesthetic intelligence), Junior Saraza (musical intelligence), Cy Gumban Tamura (interpersonal intelligence), Joy Anne Aquino (naturalist intelligence), and Adrian Owyong (intra-personal intelligence).

Explaining Wyeth’s passion and involvement in multiple intelligences, Promil Kid senior product manager Tricia Manjon says, "This was borne out of every parent’s desire to raise intelligent children. Parents always want the best for their kids and we at Promil want to help them get their children started on the right track by giving their kids proper nutrition through Promil Kid."

Promil Kid contains a ProGifted formula with essential nutrients like LNA/LA, zinc and five nucleotides, including IMP, in the right amounts to develop the brain and help nourish multiple intelligences in every child.

Manjon adds, "With parental guidance, proper nutrition and proper care, each child certainly has the potential to develop and harness their multiple intelligence."