These are some questions to determine if children may be exhibiting a well-developing Naturalist Intelligence. Does your child:

• talk about favorite pets or preferred natural spots?
• enjoy nature preserves, the zoo, or natural history museum?
• show sensitivity to natural formations? (Note that in urban environments, this type of "formation" can include cultural icons.)
• like to play in water?
• hang around the pet in school or at home?
• enjoy studying environment, nature, plants, and animals?
  
• speak out about animal rights and earth preservation?
• collect bugs, flowers, leaves, or other natural things to show to others?

These questions can determine if an adult has a strength in Spatial Intelligence:

• Have you always been able to reproduce clear images in your mind, even when your eyes are closed or the objects are not in front of you?
• Are you sensitive to color?
• Do you take a lot of photographs or home movies?
• Do you enjoy jigsaw and other visual puzzles?
• Do you have vivid dreams?
• Do you usually have an easy time getting around, even if it’s your first time in a new place?
• Do you enjoy drawing or doodling?
• Was geometry easier for you than algebra?
• Do you have an easy time reading maps and translating their information into reality?
• Do you enjoy books and magazines with many illustrations, photos, and design elements?

These are some questions to determine if children may be exhibiting a well-developing Spatial Intelligence. Does your child:

• recall visual details in objects?
• have an easy time learning to read and understand maps and charts in books?
• daydream a lot?
• enjoy the visual arts?
• demonstrate ability in using art materials and creating drawings, sculptures, or other three-dimensional objects?
• enjoy visual presentations such as videos, television, and movies?
• get a lot of information from illustrations in books she reads?
• scribble, doodle, or draw on all available surfaces?

I have seen limited reference to another intelligence: Naturalist, which is described as being able to recognize plant or animal species in the environment. This one is not included in the two Gardner books I list it here for your perusal, but it was added after this original research.

Howard Gardner’s books on this topic are Frames of Mind: The Theory Of Multiple Intelligences.

In addition, Thomas Armstrong continues the work in his Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom. To get a sense of your child’s areas of strength, go to www.familyeducation.com, where you can find a page entitled Test Your Child’s Talents, which is based on Armstrong’s book.

This article has been incorporated and expanded in Teach Your Children Well: A Teacher’s Advice for Parents This article is reprinted with the author's permission.

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