In this competitive age, parents are often concerned about whether their child is intelligent enough, and if they can do anything which may help the child’s intelligence develop. It is believed that the right amount of stimulation at an early age considerably enhances a child’s mental capabilities. The early years are thus the prime time to focus on a child’s intellectual development. Here are some practical tips which aim to help you raise your child to be intelligent.
10 Effective Ways to Raise a Smart and Intelligent Baby
1. Indulge in Baby Talk
Communication is a key skill that is essential to enhancing the intelligence of a child. It also allows your child to bond better with you and develop self-esteem and confidence. Encourage your child to improve his communication skills by involving him in verbal activities. Talk to your baby about what you are doing, how the day went, or anything else you want to. Include descriptive language, and he will tend to use it in his own conversations. Strong language skills are always associated with higher intelligence. So, give your child the benefit of this skill.
2. Be Openly Affectionate
A secure baby tends to be more confident, and thus more receptive to challenges in life. Start him off on the right path by providing a secure and happy environment at home. Skin-to-skin contact and baby massages allow you and your baby to bond. Tickle him, let him climb over you and play, cuddle with him, put him on your lap, or wear him when the occasion allows.
3. Stimulate with Age-Appropriate, Simple Toys
While there are many toy companies focusing on infant products, not all of them are suited to every baby’s intellectual capacity. Some of them may simply overwhelm and frustrate your baby. So, analyse whether a toy is suitable for his capabilities at that time, before introducing it. The right toys will intrigue him, stimulate him, and be excellent educational tools.
4. Play With your Baby
Guided play with your child will direct his attention and provide him newer opportunities to explore and understand. Set aside time to play with your baby on a regular basis. Come down to his level of understanding and indulge in activities that appeal to his taste. Slowly introduce new play ideas that will encourage him to think beyond what he is aware of. Since babies just love to mimic, it won’t be long before your baby gets the knack and races ahead with his new-found skills.
5. Read Together
Books are an excellent tool to stimulate your baby’s imagination and thinking capabilities. Read to your baby every day. Choose brightly coloured books with various textures and simple images that will hold his interest. Initially, your baby may prefer the same book, but will slowly learn to explore more options. The more you familiarise your baby with letters and pictures, the more inclined he will be to read alone when he is older.
6. Encourage Him to Explore
Expose your child to new and unfamiliar environments and encourage him to explore and understand more about them. Narrate what you see, and appear enthusiastic about new things you come across. Even a trip to the supermarket can be visually stimulating for a child. The more experiences you give your baby, the more he will learn and the better his intelligence will be.
7. Introduce your Child to Letters and Numbers Early
Don’t wait for your child to start school to learn about numbers and letters. Start counting at home during your play sessions and point out letters on boards and signposts. The more exposure your child receives to the written word, the easier it will be for him to understand and study it when it is time. Verbal and physical cues such as sign language will enhance his ability to understand and relate to the topic. This will naturally allow him to associate it with things he sees and think for himself as he grows older.
8. Create Opportunities to Interact with Other Children
Social interactions provide stimulating experiences and also prepare your child to face challenges and situations as he grows up. Set up play dates with children of his age or simply take him to the park to play with other children. When you supervise his interactions at this stage, you can gently guide him and support him to make good friends. As he learns valuable lessons about interacting with others, he will also be better equipped to handle unpleasant situations in an intelligent manner when he is older.
9. Encourage His Curiosity
Children are naturally curious, and this curiosity, when stimulated, can help them learn more. Stimulate your child’s curiosity by providing him plenty of opportunities to discover new things. Appreciate it when he does something new, so he is motivated to keep exploring. Provide child-friendly play materials from daily life, and let his imagination grow and take him places.
10. Reduce Technology Tools and TV:
Although there are numerous educational shows and programs for young children, exercise caution when exposing your child to them. Limit screen time and focus on hands-on activities instead, as these will stimulate your child better. Avoid letting your child play with tablets and mobiles, as these can be damaging to their eyes. Too much television exposure will also lead to a sedentary lifestyle, vision problems, and reduced thinking capabilities.
We live in a globally competitive world, and so, there is a constant need to keep ourselves updated with the happenings of the world. Raising your baby smart is definitely not an arduous task but one that requires understanding and know-how of dealing with things smartly. Eventually, your baby will benefit from these smart tricks and will be equipped to handle the many challenges life poses.
