Last modified on 30 May 2022
While for a long time, good students were labeled "math whizzes" or "literature buffs"... today these labels ring hollow. And for good reason: reducing a student's potential solely to their linguistic or logical-mathematical abilities now seems risky. This is a recent realization for some, while others, like Professor Howard Gardner, They have been fervently defending it since the 1980s. His theory: Each individual possesses incredible potential that is revealed through multiple intelligences. There are no longer good students on one side and bad students on the other, but rather a group of individuals with complementary strengths… a beautiful ode to diversity and its richness!
Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Professor of cognition and education at Harvard Graduate School and professor of psychology at Harvard University, Howard Gardner has been conducting research on individual intelligence and cognitive abilities (brain functions that allow communication, concentration, or memory work) since the mid-1970s. In his book “Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences”, published in 1984, Howard Gardner sweeps away preconceived ideas and demonstrates that IQ tests used to measure individual abilities have their limitations since they are based solely on 2 types of intelligence: logical-mathematical and linguistic, whereas in reality human beings are endowed with far more intelligences!
What are the 8 multiple intelligences?
In his work, Howard Gardner highlighted 8 types of multiple intelligences, themselves grouped into 4 categories:
Action intelligences
- Intrapersonal intelligence It refers to the ability to practice introspection, that is, to recognize one's feelings, to put words to one's emotions, to identify one's strengths and limitations… It is also being able to call for help when the situation requires it.
For adults, their preferred sectors are: psychology, mediation…
Children, their character traits: they know their needs and can name their emotions. They often need to be alone to concentrate.
- Interpersonal intelligence This is also called social intelligence. It allows individuals to interact more easily with others through empathy, cooperation, and tolerance. Individuals with this intelligence have the ability to discern needs and have a certain ease in communicating with others.
As adults, they work as: project managers, event organizers
As children, they are: attentive, they like to be part of a group and are sensitive to external reactions.
School intelligences
- Linguistic intelligence Linguistic intelligence involves using language to understand others and express our thoughts. It also encompasses the intelligence of sounds, since words are essentially a succession of sounds. Auditory learners, those who find it easier to retain information orally rather than visually, are particularly representative of linguistic intelligence.
As adults, their preferred sectors are: politics, justice, conferences…
As children, they are: lovers of words in writing as well as orally, they communicate clearly and make well-constructed sentences.
- Logical-mathematical intelligence It is characterized by phases of observation, analysis, and logical reasoning. This type of intelligence goes hand in hand with formulating hypotheses, understanding cause-and-effect relationships, and manipulating numbers…
For adults, their preferred sectors are: science, computer science, medicine…
As children, they are pragmatic and constantly seeking logical connections. They like to organize their ideas, formulate hypotheses, and reason by deduction.
Methodological intelligences
- Spatial intelligence It allows individuals who possess it to mentally create a spatial representation of the world around them. This type of intelligence facilitates the ability to arrange things harmoniously and to create graphic works.
As adults, their preferred sectors are: architecture, fashion design, audiovisual…
Children, their character traits: they need to mentally visualize objects, graphs or images to understand. For these students, imagination plays a vital role!
- Kinesthetic intelligence uses all or part of the body to express oneself on a daily basis or to perform tasks.
For adults, their preferred sectors are: sports, surgery, arts and crafts…
As children, they are: quite comfortable in sports and theatrical activities. They need to touch and manipulate in order to learn.
Environmental intelligence
- Musical intelligence highlights the ability to recognize sounds and to think in rhythm and melody.
For adults, their preferred sectors are: dance, music, the performing arts…
As children, they are particularly receptive to musical notes. Thanks to music, these students are calmer and some even synchronize with the rhythm to learn.
- Naturalistic intelligence This characterizes individuals who have highly specialized knowledge of fauna, flora, and minerals. They enjoy taking care of their environment.
As adults, their preferred fields are: biology, ecology, zoology…
As children, they are: keen observers, passionate about nature and who perceive the slightest nuance.
The bouquet of intelligences
In his work, Howard Gardner specifies that a child can have one strong type of intelligence or, conversely, develop several. In this case, we speak of a "bunch of intelligences." For example, a child may love nature (naturalistic intelligence) and need to manipulate objects to learn (kinesthetic intelligence). And then, Multiple intelligences are like an inner garden that we cultivate throughout our lives. Over the years, through personal, academic and then professional experiences, this bouquet of intelligences will only need to expand.
How to identify multiple intelligences in the classroom?
In the classroom, unlock the full potential of your students by exploring multiple intelligences. Offer children the opportunity to participate in different workshops. Observe their learning methods, and you will quickly identify each student's strengths and the learning environments that best suit them.
However, you can certainly go beyond simply observing your students' behavior and include your entire class in a process of identifying multiple intelligences. To do this, you can use “The challenge of multiple intelligences”, A game offering fun challenges and engaging all eight types of intelligence. Tested and approved by Valérie BIROT (grades 2/3 teacher): “There are two ways to use this game: either to make students aware of their strong intelligences or, conversely, to help them develop less developed intelligences. Students appreciate the participatory aspect of this game and feel valued for knowing their strengths.”.
With multiple intelligences, the challenge for teachers is to individually identify how each student learns best. This allows them to then teach using different approaches adapted to the types of multiple intelligences identified in their class. Overall, The challenge for our education system is to move from “standardized” teaching to diversified teaching so that each student can grow up with the affirmation “In my own way, I am intelligent”.
The testimony of Marie-Delphine Gerthoffert (primary school teacher):
«During the first few weeks, I think it would be beneficial to schedule time for a philosophical and civic debate, asking the question: «What is intelligence?» This discussion should lead us to conclude that we are all born intelligent and that there are different types of intelligence. Several tests can help us identify the intelligences each individual uses. This year, the September issue of Astrapi magazine includes one well-suited for children. During this session, the students will create a »memory flower.’ The petals will be labeled with strategies for memorizing homework. Each label draws upon the multiple intelligences described by Howard Gardner. When my students are working on their lessons, they can use the different petals to ultimately choose those that provide the best memorization results. Multiple intelligences will also be incorporated by offering variations in classroom learning methods.”
Our articles on the same topic
To learn more:
- Discover the site Howard Gardner is the originator of this theory
- Read “At the School of Multiple Intelligences” by Bruno Hourst and “Multiple Intelligences: Revealing Your Child's Talents” by Albane de Beaurepaire
- Look at a concrete application example in CE2 class
Sources:
https://www.intelligences-multiples.org/
https://positivr.fr/decouvrez-la-theorie-des-intelligences-multiples-par-howard-gardner/
https://www.multipleintelligencesoasis.org/
https://www.persee.fr/doc/rfp_0556-7807_1998_num_122_1_3010_t1_0171_0000_3
https://www.mieux-apprendre.com/lapproche-du-mieux-apprendre/les-outils/les-intelligences-multiples/
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