Navratri and Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences – Celebrating Every Child’s Unique Strength

Navratri is a festival that beautifully celebrates the nine forms of Goddess Durga, each representing a unique quality of power, wisdom or creativity. It’s a time when communities come together with joy, music, dance, devotion and vibrant traditions.

In many ways, Navratri also reflects what we see in our classrooms, children shining in their own unique ways. Just as the festival honours diversity in divine forms, education must honour the diverse intelligences within every child.



This idea resonates deeply with Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, which reminds us that intelligence is not a single measure but a spectrum of abilities. Every child has a unique blend of strengths and as educators, our role is to recognize and nurture them.

Let’s explore how Gardner’s intelligence can be celebrated through the spirit of Navratri:

1. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart)

Children who love words, stories and rhymes can express themselves by creating Navratri poems, festival stories or chants.

2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number Smart)

These children enjoy numbers, puzzles and reasoning. Rangoli patterns, bead counting or sequencing festival days can make learning joyful.

3. Musical Intelligence (Music Smart)

Navratri is filled with rhythm and melody. Children with this strength thrive when they clap to garba beats, sing bhajans or create their own festival songs.

4. Bodily-Kinesthetics Intelligence (Body Smart)

For children who learn by moving, dancing garba steps, clay diya-making or decorating the classroom are perfect outlets.

5. Spatial Intelligence (Picture Smart)

Rangolis, drawings of dandiya dancers or creating festive crafts give visual learners opportunities to express themselves.

6. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart)

Group activities like decorating the classroom or performing a small Navratri skit encourage collaboration and connection.

7. Intrapersonal Intelligence (Self Smart)

Children with reflective strengths can journal, share their feelings about the festival or quietly observe traditions with mindfulness.

8. Naturalistic Intelligence (Nature Smart)

Navratri connects us to the rhythms of nature. Exploring seasonal foods, flowers used in puja or festival plants sparks curiosity in nature lovers.

9. Spiritual Intelligence (Beyond the Self)

This form of intelligence goes deeper into values, meaning and connection. Talking about devotion, gratitude and inner strength gives children a sense of purpose.

Takeaway for Educators and Parents

Navratri teaches us to celebrate diversity, not just in traditions, but in people. By recognizing and nurturing multiple intelligences, we honour the unique “goddess power” within each child.

Every child has a special way of learning, creating and connecting. This Navratri, let’s look beyond test scores and standard measures, and instead celebrate the beautiful variety of intelligences that make each child shine.

Just as Navratri lights up our communities with joy, let us light up our classrooms with inclusive, strength-based learning.

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