The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of children’s multiple
intelligences and temperaments on their play behaviors. In order to achieve this,
155 mothers and 21 teachers of children aged 4 to 6 years old were invited to
participate in an observe-reported survey. The data were analyzed using
descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s α, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical
regression analysis using SPSS version 18.0. It was found that both multiple
intelligences and temperament types have partial influences on play behaviors of
young children; it was confirmed that among multiple intelligences of children,
logical-mathematical intelligence influences onlooker behaviors in a positive
way, body-kinesthetic intelligence has a positive effect on rough-and-tumble
play, and musical intelligence positively affects social play during free-choice
play. Also, children with a difficult temperament were more likely to participate
in solitary play than children with a slow temperament. These results imply that
teachers' guidance and involvement of children's play should differ by types of
temperament and levels of multiple intelligence in children.