How to Raise a Smart Child

All good parents want their children to be intelligent and succeed in life, but how do we go about it? Well, it's actually a lot easier than you think and all it takes is some love and patience. Children can learn to be smarter just by discovering and applying techniques taught by their parents.

Things You'll Need

• Books
• Puzzles
• Paper and crayons
• Creativity

Instructions

1. 

   Read to your child everyday to help foster his intelligence. Even if they are only babies, children pick up on words and sounds quickly and will eventually repeat the things they hear their parents say. Books, such as Dr. Seuss or Sesame Street, are excellent starters, because they not only sound great when spoken aloud, they also teach children beginning skills such as numbers, letters, and shapes. Reading can quickly enhance the intelligence of your child.

2. 

   Have fun with puzzles. Even the simplest puzzles for an adult can be exciting for a child to master. Start small with 4-6 piece wooden puzzles and incorporate harder puzzles as the child learns to connect the shapes. Before you know it, children will pick up the puzzles on their own and put them together as if they had been doing it forever. Puzzles are a great way to teach children problem solving techniques.

3. 

   Let your child draw on a plain piece of paper with crayons and draw with them. Children who are encouraged to use their creativity are more likely to try new things later and in turn become inquisitive about the world around them. Intelligence is born through curiosity. When they see their parents drawing as well, they will try to mimic what they see and begin to learn new ideas.

Tips & Warnings

• Get creative...use your imagination to help your child learn new ideas.

• Try putting up a new shape each day on the refrigerator, such as a picture of a square, and make that the shape of the day for your child to learn.

• Label items around the house with Post-its so your child learns what each thing is by seeing it and then learning the word.

• Do not overload your child with learning new concepts too quickly.

• Take cues from your child to invite learning or to take a break.

• Praise your child constantly, but make it sincere or your child will not feel their efforts are worthy.

• Always ask your child if they'd like to try something new before forcing it upon them. The moment you want to teach, may not be the moment they are ready to learn.

• Have fun. If you get frustrated in trying to teach your child, they will sense it.

Resources

• Literacy Center Education Network
• LearningPlanet.com
• How to Raise a Confident Child
• How to Handle Your Child's Temper Tantrum
• How to Help Your Child Succeed In School
• How to Be a Successful Single Parent
• How to Help Your Child Learn The Alphabet