The People-Smart Kid

People-Smart Kid

This is the 7th post in the series I am doing on the Multiple Intelligences or 8 Great Smarts.  You can find the first six posts here: Nature-Smart Kid ,Word-Smart Kid, Logic-Smart Kid, Picture-Smart Kid, Music-Smart Kid and Body-Smart Kid.

For an overview of ALL the multiple intelligences, make sure to check out this post: Multiple Intelligences: Discovering the Way Your Child is Smart.  

This blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost to you).

This post is all about the people-smart kid. 

A quick word before I dive into the profile of the people-smart kid…

It’s easy to group extroverts as people-smart and introverts as self-smart (self-smart is the final smart I will cover in my next post!)  However, it’s not that simple. 

One can be an introvert AND be people-smart.  

Don’t assume that just because your child (or yourself) is introverted, that they are not people-smart.  They are just someone who needs to THINK with others but is ENERGIZED by time alone.  Alternatively, if you are an extroverted people-smart person, you will need to THINK with others, and also be ENERGIZED by being with others. 

We are complex beings, not easily boxed in.  🙂

People-Smart Kid

What A People-Smart Kid Looks Like:

  • Thinks with people.
  • When excited they talk more to people.
  • Processes ideas with others.
  • They get joy from sharing knowledge with others and understanding others.
  • Aware of other’s emotions (if they’re angry, sad, or happy) and responds appropriately to those emotions.
  • Intuitively know to befriend someone who may be feeling sad or lonely.
  • Wise in friendship.  Knows who is a good friend, and who to keep a distance from (whether temporarily or permanently.)
  • Likes to bounce ideas off others.  Clarifies thoughts when talking with others.
  • Works well in groups.  Good at organizing others and keeping the peace, too.

Possible Careers for a People-Smart Kid:

  • Administrator
  • Pastor
  • Counselor
  • Politician
  • Lawyer
  • Social worker
  • Nurse
  • Missionary

How You Can Nurture People-Smart Kids:

  • People-smart kids will have difficulty with too much alone time.  Provide opportunities for them to share ideas and think with others (whether that’s family or friends.)
  • Incorporate role-playing and discussions into their learning experience.
  • Read biographies and autobiographies of people they want to learn more about.
  • Talk with them, not at them.
  • Ask them questions, and answer their questions.  Mull over ideas with them.

How to Strengthen Kids’ People-Smarts

  • Put down the devices and interact more with others.
  • Watch movies/shows together and talk about the characters and their emotions.
  • Set your kids up for success by providing smaller groups for them to interact where they don’t shut down.   This can also boost their confidence.

Games/Resources for People-Smart Kids


 

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Author: Outside the Box Learners

Homeschool mom to my three amazing and quirky kiddos. Wife to my “long-suffering” husband and partner in crime, Marc. INFJ(aka the extroverted introvert). Lifelong learner. Thrives on coffee, chocolate, good music, and deep conversations. Jigsaw puzzles are my love language. Ultimately, leaning on my Savior each step of the way.

2 thoughts on “The People-Smart Kid”

  1. Well, I’m not a kid but that is me! An introverted-people smart person. I don’t know if any of the boys are…perhaps Josiah. Very interesting info! Thanks!

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