A talent for every child The eight types of intelligence
Why are some children better at sports, others better at math, and others better at painting, reading, or playing an instrument? The answer seems simple and full of meaning: because each child has his or her own motivations and talents, which he or she develops at his or her own pace and in a way that is different from others.
This is the conclusion reached by Harvard University neuropsychologist and educator Howard Gardner in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Gardner argues that each child evolves with his or her own needs. Thus, a child who does not show interest in language, for example, might have great ability in the field of mathematics and spatial intelligence. Discover the eight types of intelligence and how your children can develop them during their holidays.
Fun with values, even when on holiday
The Star Camp children's training program at Iberostar takes Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences as its starting point.
During your next family holiday, and through more than 140 activities, this programme encourages the youngest in the family to develop their talents, have fun, and learn about values such as diversity, fun as an attitude towards life, respect for the environment, or the development of a technological awareness. All at once.
Eight types of intelligence
The research carried out identifies the existence of areas in the human brain that correspond to certain spaces of knowledge, all of which are distinct and relatively independent of each other. Here are the eight types of intelligence explained one by one.
1. Logical-mathematical intelligence
Their problem-solving ability is very striking and is often related to a type of non-verbal intelligence, i.e. they can know the answer to a certain problem long before they verbalize it.
Children with this type of intelligence are good at solving mysteries or brain teasers, doing puzzles, logic exercises, counting or doing calculations, computer problems and playing strategy games. At Iberostar Waves Bellevue, located next to the picturesque town of Budva in Montenegro, children between 13 and 17 years old can exercise their socio-mathematical intelligence with challenges in the Eagle area, with entertainment tailored to their age group.
2. Linguistic intelligence
Children with this type of intelligence are skilled and have preferences for activities such as reading, talking, telling stories and jokes, writing poems, learning languages and playing word games. There's nothing better than a holiday in Brazil to encourage interculturalism and curiosity for learning a new language, right? At Iberostar Waves Bahia's Star Camp, the kids can play with other children from other parts of the world and enrich their values while having a great time.
3. Spatial Intelligence
This type of intelligence shows patterns that prove the kid’s capacity to think in three dimensions. People who develop spatial intelligence are good at solving spatial problems such as drawing and painting, reading maps, looking at pictures, solving mazes, or playing construction games. And, to stimulate this type of intelligence in your children during their holidays, at Iberostar Alcúdia Park (Playa de Muro, Mallorca), kids can sign up for excursions and practice their plastic arts and crafts skills.
4. Musical Intelligence
It is typical of children with an innate ability to learn different sounds, which translates into a great ability to sing, listen to music, play instruments, compose songs, enjoy concerts and follow different rhythms. This type of intelligence may notice off-key notes that others do not and can easily memorize songs and tunes. If you want to boost your children's musical intelligence while you enjoy a holiday in Majorca, at Iberostar Waves Club Cala Barca they will have the chance to develop their musical skills while having a great time with LipSyncStar, located in the hotel's children’s area.
5. Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence
It is the ability to use the whole body in the expression of ideas and feelings, and the facility in the use of the hands to transform elements.
Children who show kinesthetic intelligence are good at dancing, acting, imitating gestures or expressions, playing sports, running, moving and jumping. At Iberostar Waves Royal Andalus, in Chiclana de la Frontera (Cádiz), children will not only be able to take part in the programme’s activities, but will also have the opportunity to exercise their kinesthetic-bodily intelligence in the Aquafun water area, playing among water cannons and slides.
6. Intrapersonal Intelligence
Among the eight types of intelligence, this is the one that distinguishes those who know themselves best. These children like to work independently, set goals and focus on achieving them, understand their feelings and know their strengths and weaknesses. At Iberostar Selection Anthelia, your children can explore by themselves and connect with their inner selves while having fun in the interactive Star Camp area.
7. Interpersonal Intelligence
As opposed to intrapersonal intelligence, it is common among kids that are good at talking, working in teams, helping others, mediating conflicts and meeting new people. The adapted spaces within Star Camp, such as the one at Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa (Tenerife), children can learn while playing with other people of their age group, thanks to activities and programmes focused on their interests and energy.
8. Naturalistic intelligence
Related to the attraction towards environmental issues, plants and animals. People with this kind of intelligence enjoy doing activities such as camping, hiking, caring for animals, learning about nature, recycling and caring for the environment. In the heart of the Riviera Maya, Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach offers children the chance to boost their naturalist intelligence through Starky's vegetable patch, where they can learn about the importance of caring for the planet starting with this space.
Star Camp: one program, three age groups
The Star Camp program has three groups according to the children’s ages and needs: Monkey (4-7 years old), Dolphin (8-12 years old) and Eagle (13-17 years old). It is based on Iberostar's philosophy, which believes family holidays are a unique opportunity to discover, explore, imagine, acquire healthy habits and make friends from other parts of the world.
All these values are transmitted in a fun way, through activities that stimulate children's creativity and attention. Becoming the stars in music videos, developing scientific experiments, learning cooking techniques or reproducing works of art on a big scale, among many other activities that will stimulate children with all eight types of intelligence.
And also discovering the oceans during Ocean Day, a day entirely dedicated to learning about underwater life through awareness actions with the fauna and flora of the seas and oceans.
Emotional intelligence in children
Still in the process of being studied, this type of intelligence is not yet considered as a multiple intelligence. However, it is derived from the eight described above, mainly from intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence.
According to Howard Gardner, emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize our own feelings and those of others, to motivate ourselves and to manage emotions well both with ourselves and in our relationships. A good guide to achieving the big goal: for children to get to know themselves better as they grow up, so that they can allow their own talents to unfold.
Discovering and nurturing each of the eight types of intelligence in our children is not only fundamental to their holistic development, but also strengthens their self-esteem and prepares them to face future challenges in creative and efficient ways. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences offers an expansive and personalised view of education, recognising that each person is unique and learns differently. Taking advantage of this diversity, programmes such as Iberostar's Star Camp give children the opportunity to explore and enhance their abilities in a playful and educational environment. Children can have fun on holiday while investing in their personal growth, discovering and developing their natural talents in a way that resonates deeply with their individual selves.
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