Multiple Intelligences using Physical Education

Multiple Intelligences refer to learning in  eight  different 
domains.  
It was developed by Howard Gardner to help educators, parents, 
friends, and family ways to help each other learn a concept in their 
own unique way.  Here is a fitness article devoted on how to teach 
these domains to special and elementary education children.  
Students who may not possess intelligence in a certain area may 
benefit from doing games in each of the subject areas.


1. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence


This intelligence refers to teaching an academic concept through 
movements.  People who are athletes and dancers are able to dance, 
throw, catch, and maintain balance and use fine and gross motor 
dexterity without the conscious mind.

„±	Learn & perfect various "multi-tracking" routines (e.g. rub 
stomach & pat head)

„±	Yoga is a great tool to teach physical movements in your 
mind then with your body
„±	Create & perform a drama

„±	Students perform calisthenics in a designated space and work 
at keeping their bodies in an assigned area and not touch anyone 
else.

2. Visual and Spatial Intelligences

This intelligence is about what happens with our eyes and mind.  We 
use this intelligence as we design, utilize texture, see images and 
develop patterns.  Artisans, sculptors and painters are gifted in 
this intelligence.

„±	Imagine your human body working together‘XUse drama to show 
its movements.

„±	Have kids practice obeying various traffic signs and move 
according to the directions of the signs. 

„±	Find the matching color flashcard by throwing a bucket into 
its bowl or hitting it with a pool noodle or ball on the wall. 

3. Logical Mathematical

This intelligence deals with the math smart.  Sequencing, patterning 
and the visual are essential for this intelligence. Science 
investigation also occurs in this intelligence.  Scientists, 
teachers, mathematicians are gifted in this area.

„±	Games that involve patterning, matching, and sequencing 
teach these intelligences.  Relays with matching colors, numbers, or 
words are great ways to involve this intelligence.  

„±	Take a Mr. Potato head and see what team can completely 
outfit their potato first.


„±	Students can draw parts of a body or object in a running 
relay game.  Shapes, objects can be used to teach math and language 
arts concepts.  

„±	Have kids add and subtract calisthenics as they warm up for 
an aerobic activity.


4. Musical Intelligences

This intelligence is about music appreciation.  Those with this 
intelligence are able to perform, compose and use musical patterns.  
Musicians, poets, writers, and choir directors are gifted in this 
area. 

„±	Finger plays are great to use to teach educational concepts.

„±	Simple instruments provide musical patterning and movement.

„±	Songs with movement such as Hokey Pokey, Head, Shoulder or 
Chicken Dance facilitate this intelligence and are great aerobic 
warm ups.

„±	Perform physical exercise routines in sync with music.

5. Naturalist Intelligence

This intelligence is for those who appreciate nature.  Those who are 
interested in our natural environment can classify various plants 
and animals, and take care of our world are gifted in this area.  
Scientists, gardeners, and environmentalist are naturals in this 
area. 

„±	Enjoy the weather of the season and have them walk and 
describe what they see.  

„±	Blindfold students and have them identify where they are, 
what they hear and what they smell.  Instructors may allow the 
students to blindfold them as well. 

6. Interpersonal Intelligence 


Those learners who like to be around people and get along well with 
others are interpersonal learners.  These people work well as part 
of a team and have social skills that help them work with a variety 
of different types of people.  Some gifted interpersonal learners 
include office workers, psychologist‘¦s ministers, special education 
teachers, and effective administrators.

„±	Teach and  play a series of non-competitive games

„±	 An interpersonal learner is good to be used as helpers to 
organize and help in directions of games.

„±	Have students work in pairs to learn and improve sports 
skills with balls, beanbags, or other sports equipment. 


7. Intrapersonal Intelligence

This intelligence deals with learning to appreciate and work with 
you.  Learners that prefer to work by themselves and work hard 
finding meaning, purpose and significance of things.  Poets, 
writers, and philosophers are gifted in this area.

„±	Perform & discuss how different physical exercises make you 
feel

„±	Watch yourself doing an exercise and find a new way to 
explain it to the group.

8. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence

This intelligence is sometimes are word or book smart.  Learners 
gifted in this intelligence do well with language, reading, writing 
and speaking.  They are also gifted in using grammar effectively.  
Poets, writers, public speakers do well in this intelligence.

„±	Give verbal explanation of gymnastic routines

„±	Pretend you are a radio sportscaster--describe a game in 
process.


„±	Name colors and numbers in various part of the room and run 
to them.

„±	Play tag and before the taggie is tagged have them answer 
the question posed in the game such as a science question or math 
problem.

( Howard Gardner discussed and explored this intelligence but has 
never officially endorsed this ninth intellience.)
9. Extensional Intelligence 

Extentionalist Intelligence refers to the belief in God.  Have the 
kids act out and perform their beliefs through plays, stories and 
songs.

We all have gifts and abilities.  Unfortunately many of them are 
hidden and unseen.  Using the multiple intelligences will allow the 
learner and instructor to find new ways of learning and living. 

References;

Eight Ways of Knowing
http://www.multi-intell.com/MI_chart.html

Infed: Howard Gardner

http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm

What is so special about Special Education: Multiple Intelligences?

http://www.pbs.org/merrow/tv/spec_ed/intelligences.html