Definitions & Examples

Linguistic

• To think in words and to use language to express and understand complex meanings
• Sensitivity to the meaning of words as well as the order of words, their sounds, rhythms, and inflections
• To reflect on the use of language in everyday life


• Linguistic Sensitivity: Skill in the use of words for expressive and practical purposes
• Reading: Skill in reading
• Writing: Ability and interest in writing projects such as poems, stories, books, or letters
• Speaking: Skill in oral communication for persuasion, memorization, and description

Logical-Mathematical

• To think of cause and effect and to understand relationships among actions, objects, or ideas
• To be able to calculate, quantify, consider propositions, and perform complex mathematical or logical operations
• Inductive and deductive reasoning skills, as well as critical and creative problem-solving


• Problem Solving: Skill in organization, problem solving, and logical reasoning; curiosity and investigation
• Calculations: Ability to work with numbers for mathematical operations such as addition and division

Musical

• To think in sounds, rhythms, melodies, and rhymes
• To be sensitive to pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone
• To be able to recognize, create, and reproduce music by using an instrument or the voice
• To listen actively


• Musical Ability: Awareness of and sensitivity to music, rhythms, tunes, and melody
• Instrument: Skill and experience in playing a musical instrument
• Vocal: A good voice for singing in tune and along with other people
• Appreciation: Actively enjoys listening to music

Bodily-Kinesthetic

• To think in movements and to use the body in skilled and complicated ways for expressive as well as goal-directed activities
• Sense of timing and coordination


• Physical Skill: Ability to move the whole body for physical activities such as balancing, coordination, and sports
• Dancing, Acting: To use the body in expressive, rhythmic, and imitative ways
• Working with Hands: To use the hands with dexterity and skill for detailed activities and small work

Interpersonal

• To think about and understand another person
• To have empathy and recognize distinctions among people and to appreciate their perspectives with a sensitivity to their motives, moods, and intentions
• Includes interacting effectively with one or more people among family, friends, or working relationships


• Understanding People: Sensitivity to and understanding of other people's moods, feelings, and point of view
• Getting Along with Others: Able to maintain good relationships with other people, especially friends and siblings
• Leadership: To take a leadership role among people through problem solving and influence

Intrapersonal

• To think about and understand one's self
• To be aware of one's strengths and weaknesses and to plan effectively to achieve personal goals
• Includes reflecting on and monitoring one's thoughts and feelings and regulating them effectively


• Knowing Myself: Awareness of one's own ideas, abilities; personal decision-making skills
• Goal Awareness: Awareness of goals and self-correction and monitoring in light of a goal
• Managing Feelings: Ability to regulate one's feelings, moods and emotional responses
• Managing Behavior: Ability to regulate one's mental activities and behavior

Spatial

• To think in pictures and to perceive the visual world accurately
• To be able to think in three dimensions and to transform one's perceptions and recreate aspects of one's visual experience via imagination
• To work with objects


• Imagery: Use of mental imagery for observation, artistic, creative, and other visual activities
• Artistic Design: To create artistic designs, drawings, paintings, or other crafts
• Construction: To be able to make, build, or assemble things

Naturalist

• To understand the natural world including plants, animals, and scientific studies
• To be able to recognize and classify individuals, species, and ecological relationships
• To interact effectively with living creatures and discern patterns of life and natural forces


• Animal Care: Skill for understanding animal behavior, needs, characteristics
• Plant Care: Ability to work with plants, (i.e., gardening, farming, and horticulture)
• Science: Knowledge of natural living energy forces, including cooking, weather, and physics