How to Make Kids Smart

You can improve children's academic ability by helping them learn.

Helping kids learn is beneficial and rewarding. Constant practice helps improve their listening, thinking and motor skills. The more effort you put into making kids smart, the smarter they become. Teaching children doesn't have to be a chore. Everyday activities will help develop kids' intelligence.

Instructions

1. Read books to younger children or have older children read to you. Assist them in selecting books on a variety of topics. Take weekly trips to your local library and demonstrate how to check out books.

2. Create music by playing instruments. Sing nursery rhymes, alphabet and other songs that teach academic subjects. Sing follow-the-leader songs to test listening and verbal skills.

3. Play mind games to exercise children's thinking ability.

4. Require kids to take short naps every day to ensure that they are receiving adequate rest.

5. Reduce children's sugar intake and eliminate poor eating habits.

6. Encourage them to explore new ideas, as children learn from experiences. Provide guidance and monitor kids to avoid safety and health hazards. Touch objects and materials to teach them about texture.

7. Cook with kids for practice with measuring and identifying ingredients.

8. Play sports and exercise to advance their motor skills. Encourage kids not to give up, as practice leads to improvement and strengthens confidence. Exercise is also important to children's health.

9. Teach them to build confidence by thinking positively. Tell them how proud you are of them to motivate and encourage.

Tips & Warnings

• Naps increase energy and allow kids to learn more. According to USA Today's 2010 article on naps and intelligence, "The longer we stay awake, the less able our brains are to learn."

• Games such as chess, learning-based video games and crosswords challenge the brain. Board games reward logical reasoning and visual processing.

• Healthy eating is beneficial to the brain. Speak with a child's pediatrician or nutritionist for information on a well-balanced diet.

References

• USA Today: Don't Knock Naps, They Make You Smarter
• Usability News: It's Official, Games Can Make You Smarter