The Street Smarts: Nature and Body Intelligences

Welcome to the 4th post in the Understanding Multiple Intelligences 5-day series! Read the whole series from the beginning here.

In the first post of the series, we talked about what the theory of Multiple Intelligences is and how it can transform the way you and your kids look at intelligence. Next, we looked at two of the intelligences (or smarts) that are associated with strong academic performance: Word and Logic Smarts. Then we looked at what I call the Artistic Smarts: Picture and Music Intelligences.

Today we’ll look at the Street Smarts: Nature and Body Intelligences. As you read through the signs and struggles associated with each strength, mark where you think your kids fall on a simple graph like the one below.

Nature Smart Kids

Nature smart kids have a profound affinity for animals. I have a few nature smart kids. One of them is nicknamed ‘the squirrel whisperer’ for her uncanny ability to coax even the most resistant squirrels out of their hideaways to nibble a cracker just inches from her hand. This daughter almost never played with dolls but preferred to play with stuffed animals. Nature smart people think with patterns. They are good at classify things in nature like birds and trees etc. This is closely tied in someways to being picture smart but they don’t think in pictures rather in patterns. Their interest can be animals or plants or even weather. Basically, these people are tuned into their surroundings.

Signs You May Be Nature Smart

Like animals
Notice nature wherever they are
Enjoy camping and hiking
Have a green thumb
Enjoy taking care of pets
Like going to parks, zoos, or aquariums
Have a good memory for details of places where they’ve been and the names of animals, plants, people, and things
Have ‘street smarts’
Ask a lot of questions about the people, places, and things they see in their environment
Enjoy figuring out what things are and then placing them into categories (i.e. bird watching or classifying cars)

Nature Smart Struggles

One of my nature smart kids once asked me, “Mom, is it weird that I prefer animals to people?” For that child, it was always a delicate balance between her becoming too isolated because she just preferred the tranquility and peace of animals over people.

May struggle in their relationships with people
May feel awkward around people
May struggle to put adequate time into their studies

Nature Smart Careers

There is a wide range of careers that would be suited to a person with strong nature smarts. Remember there is a hierarchy among the various smarts and that each individual will have their own unique career path.

Various science careers
Animal shelter worker
Flower shops
Camp counselor
Park Ranger
Veterinarian or a veterinarian assistant
Environmental inspector
Landscape designer
Nature photographer
Missionary
Pet sitter

Body Smart Kids

Body Smart kids think by moving and touching. When they are excited, they move more. Motion is very important to them. They learn and think with their entire body. Their hands are busy building, writing, touching, twisting hair, playing etc. Their feet are busy tapping, shifting in place, or walking.

Signs That You May Be Body Smart

Dance gracefully
Mimic peoples’ gestures and expressions
Enjoy acting in skits or plays
Like to move around and be active
Think better when moving around
Learn physical skills easily
Do crafts or build models with skill
Good at sports
Have a good coordination or sense of timing
Love recess

Body Smart Struggles

Kids who are body smart can use those strengths for the wrong reasons in unique ways. Teaching kids to be smart with their smarts will both affirm their strength and help them develop much-needed self-control.

Constant motion can be distracting for others
May hurt others when angry or upset
Punching, kicking or biting
Shoving their way to the front of the line
May lack boundaries when wrestling for fun

The Story of Gillian Lynne

I want to share an interesting Body Smart story. The story is about a little girl named Gillian Lynne who grew up in England in the 1930s. Gillian’s teacher complained to her mother that she was having a hard time sitting still in class and that her behavior was distracting the rest of the students. This teacher suggested that Gillian see a doctor to figure out what was going on with her.

At the doctor’s office, Gillian’s mother told the doctor about the teacher’s report of Gillian’s behavior. After asking some questions, the doctor and Gillian’s mother stepped out of the office for a moment. Before they left, the doctor turned on a small radio. Peering in the small office window the doctor pointed out Jillian’s behavior. She was dancing.

The doctor told Gillian’s mother that there was nothing wrong with her – that she was a dancer. The doctor suggested that Gillian join a dance school. Julian’s mother was able to enroll her in a performing arts school. Gillian was reported to have said of the other students, “They’re all like me!”

Gillian went on to become an accomplished dancer with the London Ballet. She also became a world famous choreographer and is best known for her work on musicals such as Cats and The Phantom of the Opera.

Gillian’s story is a powerful example of how we are all created uniquely and for a purpose. Imagine if Gillian had grown up in today’s schools? Medication, anyone?

Body Smart Careers

Body Smart people gravitate toward careers that rely on a sense of touch, hand-eye coordination, and or large motor movements. We all benefit from professionals with Body Smarts, from a chiropractor’s adjustments, a dentist’s drill or a hair dresser’s scissors.