Date of publication 17/03/2020
A talent for every child The eight types of intelligence
Why are some children naturally drawn to sports, while others excel at math, painting, reading, or playing a musical instrument? The answer is both simple and meaningful: every child has unique interests and talents that develop at their own pace and in their own way.
This is the conclusion reached by Harvard psychologist and educator Howard Gardner in his groundbreaking book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
According to Gardner, every child learns and grows differently. A child who shows little interest in language, for example, may have exceptional abilities in mathematics or spatial reasoning. Discover the eight types of intelligence and how your children can nurture them during their vacation.
Fun with Purpose, Even on Vacation
Iberostar’s Star Camp children’s program is inspired by Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences.
During your next family vacation, children can take part in more than 140 activities designed to help them develop their talents, have fun, and learn valuable life lessons. Through play and exploration, they are encouraged to embrace values such as diversity, a positive attitude toward life, environmental awareness, and responsible engagement with technology, all while enjoying experiences tailored to their age and interests.
Eight Types of Intelligence
Research in this field suggests that there are specific areas of the human brain associated with different forms of knowledge and learning, each distinct and relatively independent from the others. Here are the eight types of intelligence, explained one by one.
1. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
Children with strong logical-mathematical intelligence often stand out for their problem-solving abilities. This type of intelligence is frequently linked to nonverbal reasoning, meaning they may arrive at the solution to a problem long before they can explain how they got there.
These children tend to enjoy solving riddles and brainteasers, completing puzzles, working through logic challenges, counting, performing calculations, tackling computer-related tasks, and playing strategy games.
At Iberostar Waves Bellevue, located near the picturesque town of Budva in Montenegro, teens ages 13 to 17 can put their logical and analytical skills to the test through challenges and activities in the Eagle program, designed specifically for their age group.
2. Linguistic Intelligence
Children with strong linguistic intelligence are naturally drawn to activities involving words and communication. They often enjoy reading, talking, storytelling, telling jokes, writing poems, learning new languages, and playing word games.
What better way to spark curiosity about language and different cultures than a vacation in Brazil? At Iberostar Waves Bahia, children participating in Star Camp have the opportunity to interact with kids from around the world, broadening their horizons while developing social skills, cultural awareness, and a love of learning through play.
3. Spatial Intelligence
Spatial intelligence reflects a child’s ability to think and visualize in three dimensions. Children who excel in this area are often skilled at drawing, painting, reading maps, interpreting images, solving mazes, and building or construction-based games.
To help nurture this type of intelligence during vacation, Iberostar Waves Alcudia Park in Playa de Muro, Mallorca, offers opportunities for children to participate in excursions and creative activities that encourage artistic expression, observation, and hands-on exploration of the world around them.
4. Musical Intelligence
Musical intelligence is often seen in children with a natural sensitivity to sound, rhythm, and melody. They tend to have a strong ability to sing, listen to music, play instruments, compose songs, enjoy live performances, and recognize and follow different rhythms. These children may notice subtle changes in pitch that others miss and often find it easy to memorize songs, melodies, and musical patterns.
If you'd like to encourage your child’s musical development while enjoying a vacation in Mallorca, Iberostar Waves Club Cala Barca offers a fun and engaging opportunity through LipSyncStar, an activity located within the hotel’s children’s area. There, kids can explore their creativity, build confidence, and express themselves through music while having a great time.
5. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
This type of intelligence involves the ability to use the body to express ideas and emotions, as well as the skill to manipulate and transform objects with precision and coordination.
Children with strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence tend to excel at dancing, acting, mimicking gestures and expressions, playing sports, running, moving, and jumping. They often learn best through movement and hands-on experiences.
At Iberostar Waves Royal Andalus, in Chiclana de la Frontera, Cádiz, children can develop this type of intelligence not only through Star Camp activities but also in the Aquafun water area, where water slides, splash features, and interactive play encourage active movement and physical exploration.
6. Intrapersonal Intelligence
Among the eight types of intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence is what sets apart those who have a deep understanding of themselves. These children often enjoy working independently, setting personal goals, staying focused on achieving them, understanding their emotions, and recognizing their own strengths and areas for growth.
Children with strong intrapersonal intelligence tend to be reflective, self-aware, and comfortable spending time exploring their own thoughts and interests.
At Iberostar Selection Anthelia, children can enjoy opportunities for independent exploration and self-discovery while participating in the interactive experiences offered through Star Camp, combining fun with personal growth in a stimulating environment.
7. Interpersonal Intelligence
In contrast to intrapersonal intelligence, interpersonal intelligence is common among children who are naturally skilled at communicating, collaborating with others, helping their peers, resolving conflicts, and building new relationships. They tend to thrive in social settings and enjoy activities that involve teamwork and shared experiences.
At Star Camp, specially designed spaces encourage children to interact, cooperate, and learn from one another. At Iberostar Waves Bouganville Playa in Tenerife, for example, kids can participate in activities and programs tailored to their age group, interests, and energy levels. Through play, teamwork, and shared challenges, they develop social skills while making new friends and creating meaningful connections.
8. Naturalistic Intelligence
Naturalistic intelligence is linked to an interest in the natural world, including plants, animals, and environmental issues. Children who excel in this area often enjoy camping, hiking, caring for animals, learning about nature, recycling, and protecting the environment. They are naturally curious about how ecosystems work and tend to develop a strong appreciation for the world around them.
In the heart of the Riviera Maya, Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach gives children the opportunity to nurture their naturalistic intelligence through Starky’s Garden, a hands-on space where they can learn about plants, sustainability, and the importance of caring for the planet from an early age.
Star Camp: One Program, Three Age Groups
Star Camp is divided into three groups based on children’s ages and developmental needs: Monkey (ages 4-7), Dolphin (ages 8-12), and Eagle (ages 13-17).
The program is rooted in Iberostar’s belief that family vacations are a unique opportunity to discover, explore, imagine, build healthy habits, and make friends from around the world. Through activities designed around multiple intelligences, Star Camp encourages children to learn, grow, and have fun while creating meaningful memories that extend far beyond their vacation.
All of these values are brought to life in engaging, hands-on ways through activities designed to spark children’s creativity and capture their attention. Whether they’re starring in their own music videos, conducting science experiments, learning cooking techniques, or recreating works of art on a larger scale, children are constantly encouraged to explore and develop all eight types of intelligence through play.
They can also discover the wonders of the ocean during Ocean Day, a special event dedicated entirely to marine life. Through activities focused on ocean awareness, children learn about the animals and plants that inhabit our seas while gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting them.
Emotional Intelligence in Children
Although still the subject of ongoing study, emotional intelligence is not currently included among Gardner’s multiple intelligences. However, it is closely related to several of them, particularly intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence.
According to Howard Gardner, emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize our own feelings and those of others, motivate ourselves, and manage emotions effectively both within ourselves and in our relationships with others. It serves as a valuable guide toward an important goal: helping children develop a deeper understanding of themselves as they grow, creating the conditions for their natural talents to flourish.
Recognizing and nurturing each of the eight types of intelligence is not only essential to a child’s overall development, but also helps build self-confidence and prepares them to approach future challenges with creativity, adaptability, and resilience. Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences offers a broader, more personalized view of education, one that recognizes that every child is unique and learns in their own way.
By embracing this diversity, programs such as Iberostar’s Star Camp give children the opportunity to discover and strengthen their abilities in an environment that is both educational and fun. While enjoying their vacation, children can continue growing, exploring their interests, and developing their natural talents in ways that feel meaningful and authentic to who they are.
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