How to Bring Out the Genius in Your Child

Do you want to give your child a jump start on making the most of his education? to reach her full potential? Here are ideas for working with very young children (birth to five years).

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Your attention
• Books
• Music
• Artwork

1. Turn off the TV. No, television isn't evil, but for a young child who is learning how to think and be creative, television robs them of their own creativity.
   
   As they get older watch TV with them and talk about what they see. Question it; challenge it. How is it realistic and not? How would they have ended it differently? When based on fact, is it true to life? How much "artistic license" is too much?
2. Read, read, and did I mention read! It's never to early to begin reading to your child. Sit together and read books to them that are visually interesting. Read a wide variety of material aloud while they play. Don't limit it just to material that is their age level. Read the classics, poetry, history, science. Read it like it's exciting. Play books on CD or tape.
3. Play music intentionally. Choose different types of music, different artists, from classical to popular music. (There's a saying, "All Bach and no rock makes Jack a dull man... and visa versa.") Choose music of quality. Talk to them (and around them) about who the musicians are and about the music.
4. Talk to them. When speaking to your child, talk like an adult. Don't use "baby talk" or that's what they'll learn! If you want your child to have an easier time learning the language, speak clearly, but with normal vocabulary. Include them in conversations if they are in the room, just like you would any other person. They'll build their vocabulary quicker if they hear a broad vocabulary. Take your infant shopping and discuss the baby food choices!
5. Surround them with interesting things. Think about what their perspective is. If they are on a blanket on the floor, what do they see? Table and chair legs? Prop books with artwork and photography around them. Choose normal artwork over artwork that is drawn for children (cartoonish, looking like it was drawn by a child). They will imitate what they see! Give them something of quality to imitate.
6. Teach them as you correct them. An example may work best here: When my son was just over a year he was fitting shapes into a hollow ball. When a shape of a similar size would not fit he began banging and screaming. I took hold of both his hands in mine and called to him to calm down and listen. When he was quiet I said, "The toy doesn't have a brain. You have a brain. You have to figure out how to make it work. The toy can't do that. When something doesn't work you need to stop and think, 'How do I get this to work? what's wrong here?' So when you're frustrated, stop and think." He did and ever after that, when he would get frustrated, usually all I would have to say is, "Stop and Think!" It wasn't long before he stopped himself to think it through.
7. Don't focus on genius. What's most important is that your child reach his or her full potential, not that they out-shine everyone else. No one likes an arrogant know-it-all. If you push them for excellence and only praise them for the amazing things then they will feel they are only acceptable when they excel. Give them the opportunities and let them think that whatever they do it's normal (and wonderful). Don't tell them they're a genius, just tell them they did great and you're proud of them.

Tips & Warnings

• Invest lots of time. No one ever regrets that they spent too much time with their children.
• Develop an interest in music, books, art, and various other subjects yourself. Your enthusiasm for learning about things will be a model for your children.
• Praise all that they do. If they've made an effort they will be more motivated to do better if they hear that you approve of their effort. They need to know you love them more than anything.
• When they fail, praise their effort and offer encouragement that as they practice they'll get better. They will perceive any disappointment from you as disapproval of them, so be positive.
• A good goal is to teach children how to learn, rather than teaching them specific things. Teach specifics, but teach them HOW to learn. Questions should often be answered by helping them discover the answer themselves.
• Beware the "quality" time deception. You can't get quality without quantity. Make your child one of your top priorities.
• Don't think that because the child can't talk you can't include them in conversation. When in a group, make eye contact with them as you talk, just as you would anyone else in the group. When alone with them, talk TO them as if they can, and are answering you.
• Don't be afraid of not knowing. It's okay for a parent to say "I don't know." Use your lack of knowledge to model finding the answer.
• Don't expect perfection. Just accept them where they are at and be proud of them. Genius comes in a variety of packages. Some are artistic, some are logical. Each child is unique in their strengths and weaknesses. Celebrate them!
• Don't push. Instead motivate. Your enthusiasm plus showing the benefits to them (fun, interest to them, etc.) are best. If you have to force them to learn, they won't learn much.