Scientists claim we are now far smarter than our grandparents! Studies from across the globe have shown there to be a year on year improvement in children’s development. Great news! But how can we ensure our children are getting smarter?
1. Enroll Them In A Sport
We all know an active lifestyle is good for our health, but did you know that after exercise people pick up new words and vocabulary 20% faster! Perfect in your little ones early years, as they learn to pronounce new words, construct sentences and communicate with both peers and adults.
2. Involve Them In Your Hobby
Be it baking, knitting, or music. Active learning is vitally important to development. “A huge amount of five-year-olds do not have the skills they need to start learning, such as being able to hold a pencil” – Jo Moore, Educational Expert, Learning Resources.
With active learning children can quickly and easily pick up skills that will set them up for early education, such as following instructions and co-ordination, including improved hand-eye coordination.
3. Follow Their Lead
When your child shows an interest in something, help them follow their passion. Children respond well to encouragement, and are far more likely to stick at something, learning more and more about their area of interest over time. Reports and studies into IQ over time have suggested that the demands of society are linked to our improved IQ. After all, the amount of information readily available to our youngsters in today’s society must be allowing children to progress further, easier.
4. Let Them Sleep
The benefits of sleep for brain development are endless. Sleeping aids learning, and even naps have been shown to have substantial benefits, such as the ability to retain information. In both children and adults getting a good amount of sleep is as important as diet and exercise. It can improve attention span no end – vitally important ahead of a day at school!
5. Praise Them For Not Giving Up
Even if it means watching them do the same thing for the 100th time! It is said that the secret to success is not giving up. Not all of us are naturally gifted with book-smarts, but by sticking at something and being persistent, we are much more likely to achieve long-term goals.Teach your little one to learn for his/her mistakes, and to pick themselves up and try again, and your kid will be as smart, if not smarter, than the rest of the class in no time!
6. If They’re Happy, They’re Ready To Learn
And you can start by being a happy parent. Easier said than done, right? When the washing is mounting and you have a to do list longer than your arm, it is easy to feel stressed. But by taking a moment to push those thoughts aside and be a cheerful parent, you can spend quality time, happy time, with your child and know that this is having a positive impact on their learning.When a child is happy they are much more engaged and interested in their learning. Social-emotional factors are continually being study by scientists, and many reports have concluded that happy children are more willing to learn, more curious and in turn, are smarter.
7. Read With Them, Not To Them
By simply pointing as you read your child is absorbing new written and spoken word more effectively. This goes back to active learning, by engaging in the story, pointing to pictures and talking with your little one as you read a book, you can really improve the whole experience. As you bring the book to life you will enhance your child’s understanding. Make time for just 10 minutes of reading a day, and have a variety of books and stories. (Top tip: save money and space on your shelves by visiting a library!)
8. Take Them For Music Lessons
Okay, so you may not want your child to aspire to be a rock star (or maybe you do), but music lessons are shown to improve IQ, as well as offsetting the effects of aging: win-win! Many studies are showing positive links between music and mental well-being, so grab their interest early, and sit smug knowing you have set your child up for a healthy, happy life.
Featured photo credit: Children reading on the couch – San José Library via flickr.com
