By determining the type of intelligence of your child, you can understand how to improve a child’s brain development.
In modern society, it is generally accepted that a child’s school performance is the only indicator that determines his potential. When a child gets older, many parents want him to become well-rounded and successful in various areas of life.
But before he goes to school, you need to understand that your child is smart, despite his grades and physical condition.
Scientists say that there are different types of intelligence (there are 9 in total), and a child can have any of these 9 types. In one of these ways, he is bound to be strong.
Parents should, from an early age of the child, recognize the signs that characterize his type of intelligence.
If you start developing these traits from an early age, you will be able to appreciate his potential and realize that it may be more important than academic performance in math or physics.
So, how to determine the type of intelligence of your child?
Theory of multiple intelligences
American psychologist Howard Gardner proposed a theory that explains the various types of intelligence. The scientist suggests that reducing the definition of a child’s intelligence to a simple test of IQ is not enough.
Academic performance is undoubtedly important, but just as important are the child’s inclinations for drawing, music, dancing, entrepreneurship, etc. All these inclinations must be taken into account when determining the child’s potential.
This is how the theory of multiple intelligences arose, which proves that 1 or 2 of the 8 types of intelligence can dominate in a child.
1. Body-kinesthetic
Children with bodily-kinesthetic intelligence tend to excel in sports and other physical activities. They move a lot and their movements are well coordinated.
If your child shows interest in outdoor games and can coordinate the movements of his body well, then it is safe to say that he has developed the body-kinesthetic type of intelligence.
Watch him to better understand his tendencies. Is he too fussy? Is he always in good shape? Can’t he sit in one place for a long time? Small details like these can help you identify a child’s bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. Many famous athletes, actors and dancers have it.
In fact, from children with a developed bodily-kinetic intelligence, both an outstanding theater and film actor, and a successful surgeon, a famous athlete or a cook can grow up.
Determine which activities your child gravitates towards, and gradually develop their inclinations. It’s okay if in early childhood he will successfully play sports, and at an older age he wants to change his field of interest. This is normal for every person. The main thing here is your full support and acceptance.
2. Visual-spatial
This type of intelligence determines how well a child can visualize objects, places and even their dreams.
Children of visual intelligence are talented in drawing, modeling and other similar pursuits. They are good at determining the size of objects and can reproduce past events in detail.
They draw well and feel colors, and they are happy to take pictures and videos. They also tend to express their thoughts and feelings in a visual way. Telling or explaining something, they strongly gesticulate with their hands.
If your child pays attention to details and is able to remember the smallest details of everyday events, he has developed visual-spatial intelligence.
These kids are future designers, creators, individuals with an unusually developed creative beginning. They can be a little emotional. To develop their abilities, you can engage in creativity together, build constructors, sculpt from plasticine, draw or equip the design of the room.
3. Logical-mathematical
Logical intelligence is related to the child’s ability for mathematical calculations and reasoning. An important part of logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to solve various problems.
If your child is observant, able to think outside the box, reason logically, explain, understand hints – he has developed this type of intelligence.
Such children are inquisitive and often ask questions. They have a good understanding of the language of numbers, graphs and diagrams. They tend to perform actions in a certain way, to the point that it becomes their obsession.
It upsets them when people don’t share their views. They are organized and punctual, often making shopping lists and things to do during the day, etc. They prefer to play alone.
Like children with developed intrapersonal intelligence, “logicians” are often lonely, avoiding noisy companies and large gatherings of people. They prefer a narrow circle of communication, consisting of the most trusted personalities.
If you direct the child’s abilities in the right direction, he can succeed in programming, mathematical disciplines, analytics and related professions. Many famous mathematicians have developed this type of intelligence.
4. Musical
If a child likes to listen to music, this does not mean that he has musical intelligence. This type of intelligence is developed in children who love to compose music, sing and tap different rhythms. They understand music better than others.
If your child has a beautiful voice, has a sense of rhythm, distinguishes between keys and is interested in playing musical instruments, then he undoubtedly has a developed musical intelligence.
However, it is important to understand that musical intelligence is a fairly broad concept, and it can manifest itself in different children in different ways.
5. Linguistic
Children with linguistic intelligence usually have well-developed language skills. If your child has beautiful handwriting, loves to read, understands grammar well and knows how to write complex words correctly, he has developed the linguistic type of intelligence.
Such children love to play with words and solve crossword puzzles. They usually have a large vocabulary, they easily memorize new words. They love to talk about what they read in books. They have an extensive vocabulary and high literacy. They also have developed the ability to tell stories.
6. Existential
Existential intelligence should not be confused with introversion or self-centeredness. It is associated with a person’s ability to enjoy loneliness. If a child, being alone, is not bored and not afraid, then he has the existential intelligence.
This type of intelligence is associated with such qualities as responsibility, self-awareness and independence.
Children with existential intelligence are aware of their strengths and weaknesses. If your child is confident in the correctness of his actions, despite the fact that others think otherwise, he has developed this type of intelligence.
With support, lack of pressure from parents and help in the development of natural inclinations, existential kids can become a scientist, philosopher, politician and a real leader.
These kids are confident in everything they do. They listen to others, but do what they themselves think is right. These children grow up to be successful entrepreneurs.
7. Interpersonal
Children with developed interpersonal intelligence are able to communicate well with others. They usually have many friends and like to be in company.
If your child constantly spends time with his friends and likes to communicate with people, he has developed the interpersonal type of intelligence.
Such children are able to find a common language with different people and understand how to cope with different situations.
In company, they seem calm and relaxed. With friends, they are compassionate, kind and helpful. Such children grow up to be good diplomats, leaders and teachers.
8. Intrapersonal
These are children with well-developed self-reflection (“thinkers”), but it often seems to others that they are in the clouds. They prefer the inner world to the outer and can be shy or withdrawn.
They prefer not to answer in the class, but after the lessons they talk for a long time with the teacher on this topic.
Often such children know what they want from life, and set themselves clear life goals. They are interested in stories from people’s lives and often keep a diary.
A child with a developed intrapersonal intelligence is a “thing in itself” (according to Kant). He does not like to share experiences and speak heart to heart.
Such a child does not need to be forcibly enrolled in theater circles and forced to engage in other activities where communication is required.
These are future writers, philosophers, psychologists, IT workers. Give your child access to the information that interests him and support him in all endeavors.
9. Naturalistic
If your child pays close attention to plants, plays with leaves a lot or takes care of pets, then his intelligence is naturalistic. These kids love nature.
They are interested in various natural phenomena, like to walk in parks, near rivers and wherever there is no asphalt. They also feel very concerned about animals whenever they see them.
Kids with naturalistic intelligence love animals and often have pets. They are fond of growing plants and like to play in the garden. They love to spend time in nature.
They show high interest in insects, dinosaurs and archeology, prefer to watch popular science programs on TV. Collect various things (often – insects, stones, etc.)
These are future biologists, veterinarians, representatives of agricultural professions and other specialties related to nature and animals.
With such a child, you need to walk more in nature, encourage him to take care of our smaller brothers and interest in educational books about nature.
The above classification does not mean that the child has only one type of intelligence. One person can successfully combine the makings of a thinker and an artist, an athlete and an animal lover.
Therefore, you should not be limited to one type of activity. Maintain a wide range of interest in your child, recognize his abilities and do not criticize if he behaves differently from others.
When you know how each of the eight types of intelligence manifests itself, you can determine where your child is strong. Watch him, notice his abilities and help develop them. Appreciate his talents from an early age and you won’t have to worry about his future.