Are your kids arguing with one another? Are they grouchy and hard to get along with? Try one of the eight Multiple Intelligences: People Smart. In this blog post, you’ll find characteristics of people smart and activities to do with your kids to foster People Smart.
People Smart Characteristics
- Excellent communication skills
- Verbal, non-verbal communication
- Understands others’ feelings; empathizes
- Works /plays cooperatively in a group
- Understands feelings from facial expressions, gestures & voice
Activities to Develop People Smart
- Play old-fashioned board games
- Make up words & play body language charades (whisper word for pre-readers)
- Read Bible stories that feature character traits. For example, Daniel in the lion’s den and courage. Focus on ways the family can demonstrate the selected trait this week. At the end of the day, ask how each person used the trait.
- Serve God by helping others. Ask your kids for ideas or give them choices, such as: make a card of encouragement & mail/deliver it; visit an elderly person; bake cookies for a busy neighbor; serve the homeless; bring a meal to a widow or invite a widow for a meal; mow the lawn for someone who’s sick or an elderly neighbor
- “What would you do if . . . ?” Create age-appropriate stories where school-age kids face a dilemma. Ask, “What would you do if . . . ?” Great discussion starters. (School-Age)
What can you do this week? Please share what you tried.
Additional Resources
- Blog: Common Questions Parents Ask about Childhood Friendships (2 parts)