The long and stretched debate whether intelligence is inherited or acquired over a period of time has produced no results so far. However, the growing pressure on parents to raise super intelligent babies is indeed overwhelming. The responsibilities that come along with parenthood are endless. Every parent wants the best for their child, now and in future life. However, is it possible to hone your child's intelligence at early stages so that he becomes a genius in his later life?
The good news is Yes! And it all starts with you! All that an infant needs for boosting brainpower is his/her parents. In the first two years of a child's birth, you need to nurture your baby and make him ready to intake the mass of knowledge. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Start Early: Start early on the development of your baby's brain. By early, we mean before he is even born. Building your baby's brain starts when he is still a fetus. You can start by reading to your baby. Avoid substances like alcohol, drugs, smoking, lead and mercury which are known to be harmful to your baby's brain development. Get adequate nutrition specifically for your baby's brain development like folic acid and fish oil. Many medications are not advisable during pregnancy so consult your doctor before you take any medicines.
- Breastfeeding is Essential: Breast milk contains innumerable nutrients that are vital for the growth of baby. One important ingredient is called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is an essential fatty acid that leads to brain development. In fact, DHA is responsible for 40 to 50 percent of the brain's weight as measured in neurons and membranes. A lot of food marketing companies have tried to replicate this ingredient in laboratory and add it to baby food. But natural occurring DHA in mother's breast milk is the one recommended by doctors.
- Read to Babies: This may sound a bit over the top and yes, your baby will not understand what you're talking about when you read to him in beginning stages. However, continual reading will help them to hear, recognize words and their meanings. This process is important in aiding their speech and building their vocabulary.
- Buy Smart Toys: Toys play a pivotal role in the development of your baby's brain. However, with so many companies claiming that their toys are the best for your baby, it could get very confusing to buy toys. The key is to choose both toys and activities that track with your child's natural biological stages of development. Prefer simple toys that do not frustrate your baby when he is playing with them. Buy Open-ended toys that are terrific for using the imagination as well as helping build eye-hand coordination.
- Play Sign Games With Your Baby: Make your baby learn signs when he is as young as 4 months old. Research shows that using sign language leads to an increase in spoken language as well as higher IQs.
- Introduce a Foreign Language: At the right age, introduce your child to the sounds and grammar of a foreign language. Play foreign language DVDs that will improve your child's vocabulary. If there are foreign language speakers in your family, don't hesitate to enlist their help.
- Adequate Physical Contact: Touching your baby is important to its emotional growth. Stroking your baby's head, limbs and body also helps make neurologic connections that are essential for brain development. This will also help strengthen your bond with your baby.
The key to raising intelligent babies is knowing that the human brain wants to survive and to connect with others. Always make sure the baby feels safe, loved, and secure, and your little wonder will grow up to be extremely intelligent.
