A wisely selected toy is one of the most appropriate means to stimulate children's intelligence. This is suggested Howard Gardner in his theory about Multiple intelligences.
Gardner argues that intelligence is the ability to solve problems and that it is possible to classify it according to the results, arguing that these will be closely related to the means that the environment provides for children. According to Gardner, these intelligences are eight and coexist in the child from a very early age. Within the media, of course, toys fulfill a substantial function.
Now, what would be the right toys to develop each type of intelligence? Below is a brief summary that may be useful at the time of choose the right toy to stimulate multiple intelligences.
Linguistic intelligence: they contribute to develop all those games that stimulate the use of the word in practical situations. Examples: microphones, telephones, objects that represent instruments in real life.
Logical-mathematical intelligence: can be stimulated through all those games that involve the understanding of quantity relationships and logical patterns. Examples: puzzles, boxes with pieces of different shapes and colors, inserts, comparison and seriation games. Spatial intelligence: This intelligence has to do with the ability to think in three dimensions, therefore the games that allow the representation of images and the interrelationships of space, shape, figure, line and color help. Example: mosaics of shapes and colors, blocks and labyrinths, beads to string or thread.
Physical-kinesthetic intelligence: It is what allows the child to manipulate objects and improve motor skills and the games that help are those that promote somatic sensations, physical balance and manual learning. Examples: drag, outdoor games, horses to ride, chopsticks, tops.
Musical intelligence: It is the one that prevails in children very sensitive to rhythm, melody, tone and harmony, and is developed by all those games that involve the perception of musical and harmonic sounds. Examples: musical instruments, music equipment.
Interpersonal intelligence: It is about the ability to understand others and interact with them and the games that help are all those that facilitate social communication and affectionate contact with others. Examples: board games, puppets.
Intrapersonal intelligence: People's abilities to build precise perceptions of themselves are attributed to it; for this reason, the games that assist in this case are those that facilitate individual concentration and the premises of introspection. Examples: electronic games for individual use, self-correction educational games.
Naturalist intelligence: it is related to the observation of the models of the Nauraleza. Examples: farm games, animals, gardening.
Finally, although there are some toys that develop only one aptitude, most serve more than one purpose.
