How to raise your
child's intelligence
Focus on
the Family
Thursday, September 30, 1999
In
a study conducted at Harvard University, Dr. Burton White found that
parents can do six things to raise the intelligence level of their
child.
Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family also outlined these suggestions
in his book The Strong-Willed Child.
- It is increasingly clear that the origins of human intelligence
are found in a critical period of development between eight and
eighteen months of age. The child's experiences during these months
do more to influence future intellectual competence than any time
before or after.
- The single most important environmental factor in the life of the
child is his mother – she has more influence on her child's
experiences than any other person or circumstance.
- The amount of life language directed to a child (not to be
confused with television, radio or overheard conversations) is vital
to his development of fundamental linguistic, intellectual and
social skills. The researchers concluded that a rich social life for
a 12- to 15-month-old child is the best thing a parent can provide
to guarantee a good mind.
- Children who are given free access to living areas of their homes
progress much faster than those whose movements are restricted.
- The nuclear family is the most important educational delivery
system. If we are going to produce capable, healthy children, it
will be by strengthening family units and by improving the
interactions that occur within them.
- The best parents excel at three key functions:
- They are superb designers and organizers of their children's
environments.
- They permit their children to interrupt them for brief 30-second
episodes, during which personal consultation, comfort, information
and enthusiasm are exchanged.
- They are firm disciplinarians while simultaneously showing great
affection for their children.
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