We all want our child's intelligence to be great. We all think that intelligence depends on genetic factors only, so we neglect the care, enhancement, and development of our child's mental abilities and creating the appropriate environment for him. And your child's intelligence begins since he is in your womb, so talking to him and listening to music develops his skills while he is still a fetus, so your interest in proper nutrition during pregnancy is an essential element for the birth of a smart and healthy child. In this article, find out some advice on how to develop your child's intelligence.

1. Child’s intelligence

Indeed, from birth, you will need to awaken your child's intelligence so that his brain develops its full potential. Any child can harness their intellectual potential if it has been rigorously stimulated. As a parent, you must take into account several factors in order to help awaken his intelligence. And if you start from early childhood, you will see many benefits for you and your child.

2. Is intelligence inherited or learned?

According to one expression, "we are not born intelligent; we become so." Indeed, intelligence is not an innate ability. We do not acquire it from birth. We must stimulate it as best as possible throughout its existence. Therefore, it is important to know how to develop a child's intelligence. To answer the question, we must first define what intelligence is.

3. Child’s intelligence; how is intelligence defined?

As many tend to believe, intelligence is not just about intelligence quotient (IQ). According to scientists, it is about the ability to adapt to any situation. In other words, it is the ability of the human being to decide what are the means of action depending on the circumstances. This is what allows an individual to adapt and, above all, survive in his environment. It is in the frontal lobes of the cerebral cortex, a particular region of the brain, where the source of this ability is. The intellectual faculties of the child will depend on the stimulation of these areas. Stimulated in a rigorous way, he will effectively exploit his intellectual potential. Otherwise, the infant has little chance of developing his abilities.

There are several forms of intelligence; emotional, social, intellectual, kinesthetic intelligence, etc. Parents need to help their little ones stimulate each of these intelligence types long before they go to school. Only thus can the child's intelligence develop.

Related: Educational psychology, its importance, and goals

4. Child’s intelligence; How to develop a child’s intelligence?

4.1 The importance of a healthy and balanced diet

To develop a child's intelligence, it is necessary to watch his plate. Indeed, a healthy and balanced diet affects their learning abilities and their intellectual functions. Certain foods are particularly recommended. Examples are colorful fruits and vegetables like oranges, pumpkins, and tomatoes. Dairy products are also necessary for the proper functioning of the brain. Finally, vegetable oils (olive oil, walnut oil, grape seed oil, etc.) are allies to be put on the menu to maintain brain cells.

4.2 Protect his sleep

It is during sleep that the tools of intelligence get restored and that acquisitions take their place.

4.3 Interact with your child

Science has proven that babies who had little affection or whose parents did not play with had less developed brains than those who received attention.

Showing attention to your child is a part of the development of intelligence. So play with him, make him feel like he is loved. He needs to be reassured about your affection for him because he will be able to gain self-esteem. Play, as well as showing love and tenderness, greatly affects the intelligence level of children.

4.4 Answer his questions

Answer his questions and prompt them from his personal world (which he may observe at home or on walks) and his interests. Go out with him in nature to teach him the living.

4.5 Feed his intellectual curiosity

Offer your little one a rich and stimulating environment. Make him want to read with picture books, books that tell the adventures of his favorite heroes. It is never too early to give him a taste of everything: concerts, puppet or theater shows, an exhibition of paintings, sculptures. Bet on simple board games: 7 families, Memory, Uno, etc. And later, more complex, like chess. Do not over-stimulate him with so-called "educational" games and mini-lessons galore; also, know how to let him play alone and contemplate the world around him.

4.6 Suggest activities that he enjoys

Don't sign up your child for an activity just because you want them to learn a certain skill. Try to discover his talents or interests, then let him decide which activities motivate him or not.

4.7 Limit the time he watches TV

If your child is below two years old, don't make him watch TV because TV is a barrier to mental development. After two years, limit the time spent watching television to one hour if possible. Make sure he watches educational programming that is appropriate for his age. Make him see television as a privilege and always keep control of the station.

4.8 Stimulate his language

Immerse him right away in a "language bath." Enrich his vocabulary by using precise words (not gimmicks, widgets, or "baby" language…). Keep sentences short and clear, adapt to their level of speech and comprehension. If it's too complicated, he'll drop out; if you're interested in him, you'll give him a taste for words. If he's looking for his words, lend him yours: "Is that what you meant? ". Answer his questions precisely - even the most disconcerting.

4.9 Reading books

Reading promotes children's cognitive development, as it provides the interactive process of great benefit by teaching the child how to read, enhancing his intellectual skills through knowing the child's interests from the story, and allowing both parents and children to participate.

4.10 Intelligence games

Always present to your child games that have meaning, meaning, and benefit according to his age, of course, and let him avoid traditional or combat games that may have more harm than good. Choose puzzles, chess, crossword puzzles, sudoku, number games or cubes, build houses and different shapes, and race together to solve them; all of these games train children's minds to think strategically, solve problems and make complex decisions.

Originally published on Live Positively.